Former Panthers two-way game may win Team USA's final Olympic spot

As the United States shapes its roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, the final forward slot has become a true debate. This roster outlook is based on reporting by Michael Russo in The Athletic, detailing Team USA's thinking as the final Olympic spot comes into focus.

The scoring cases are loud. Jason Robertson has 20 goals in 21 games since November 11, the best pace in the NHL, and has been elite in the shootout over the past three seasons. Cole Caufield brings game-breaking offense, overtime heroics, and proven shootout success.

For a team that fell one goal short at the last best-on-best event, leaving either player home feels almost illogical. Goals decide tournaments. Star power matters.

And yet, roster construction isn't just about goals.

The growing expectation around the league is that the final forward spot will go to Vincent Trocheck, the former Florida Panthers center now anchoring a critical role with the New York Rangers. It's a choice rooted in trust, versatility, and playoff-style hockey.

Trocheck's history helps too. He's played deep playoff hockey, understands defensive detail, and doesn't need offensive sheltering. That profile becomes valuable in Olympic tournaments, where roles shrink and mistakes are magnified.

Ironically, this decision could leave elite scorers watching from home. Robertson and Caufield bring flash, but Team USA is already heavy on finishers. What it lacks, comparatively, are trusted grinders who can tilt possession, start shifts in the defensive zone, and survive late-game pressure.

Trocheck's connection to Florida still resonates. He helped define the Panthers' identity during his tenure, blending bite with skill, and that DNA now fits what the U.S. staff appears to be prioritizing.

If Trocheck does take the final spot, it would also mean Chris Kreider becomes the lone forward from the recent 4 Nations event left off the Olympic roster. That underscores just how thin the margins are.

Team USA isn't choosing who scores the most highlights. They're choosing who they trust when the game is tight, the clock is low, and one shift can end everything.