Bill Guerin, the general manager of the Minnesota Wild and an advocate for U.S. hockey, has been vocal about the need for more American NHL players to participate in the World Championships if they are not competing in the postseason.
Despite the grueling nature of an 82-game NHL season followed by playoffs for some, convincing players to don the red, white, and blue has been a challenge for USA Hockey.
Guerin’s recent experience as the general manager for the U.S. 4 Nations Face-Off team, which lost to Canada in overtime over three months ago, and his upcoming role as GM for the Winter Olympics in Milan, highlights the importance he places on international competition.
During his season postmortem with Wild beat writers, he passionately expressed the necessity for American players to regularly compete in the World Championships.
“When are we going to win that tournament?” Guerin, a three-time Olympian, questioned.
He emphasized the importance of having the country’s best players participate, mentioning that star players like Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon are attending, indicating a trend that should inspire others.
While Guerin wants the U.S. to succeed on the international stage, he previously hinted that players who skip the World Championships might be affected in future team selections.
This year’s World Championship roster featured only two players from the 4 Nations — Jeremy Swayman, who did not play, and Zach Werenski. The roster was supplemented by several Olympic hopefuls, including Tage Thompson, Clayton Keller, Alex Vlasic, and Logan Cooley.
The outcome of the tournament was significant, as the Americans claimed their first gold medal since 1933, with Thompson scoring the decisive goal in overtime.
With his stellar performance, Thompson has likely solidified his position as a strong candidate for the Olympic team.
“Tage impressed me. Clayton Keller impressed me. A lot of guys did,” Guerin noted.
He observed that the team displayed excellent camaraderie and skill during the tournament, which he witnessed firsthand.
The deadline for Olympic roster submissions is December 31, leading up to the tournament scheduled from February 11 to 22.
In late August, the United States will hold an Olympic orientation camp in Plymouth, Michigan, where up to 45 players will be invited.
The impressive performances at the World Championships have added complexity to the roster selection process, prompting the U.S. management to monitor players closely next season.
“It’s a good problem to have,” Guerin remarked, acknowledging the plethora of quality players vying for a spot.
He reiterated the value of the World Championships and the pride in representing the nation, calling for continual participation even in Olympic years.
As anticipation builds for the Olympics, the first six players for each Olympic hockey team are expected to be revealed soon, sparking discussions about potential selections.
Last June, the American roster for the 4 Nations Face-Off included forward stars Auston Matthews, Matthew Tkachuk, and Jack Eichel, along with defensemen Quinn Hughes, Charlie McAvoy, and Adam Fox.
The upcoming selections project five of these players to be recognized once again.
**Projected First Six**
**Auston Matthews:** Matthews stands as the U.S. captain, having led the NHL in goals for three of the past five seasons and clinched the Hart Trophy in 2022 as a top player.
**Matthew Tkachuk:** Tkachuk demonstrated resilience and determination during the 4 Nations, contributing significantly before succumbing to an injury. His Stanley Cup victory with the Florida Panthers in 2024 adds to his credentials.
**Jack Eichel:** Eichel, a renowned two-way center, already has a Stanley Cup title with the Vegas Golden Knights, solidifying his status as a premier player.
**Quinn Hughes:** As the 2024 Norris Trophy winner and captain of the Vancouver Canucks, Hughes skipped the 4 Nations due to injury, but his exceptional talent makes him an Olympic certainty.
**Charlie McAvoy:** An essential player for the Boston Bruins, McAvoy excels defensively. Despite an injury in the 4 Nations and a subsequent infection, he remains a strong candidate.
**Brady Tkachuk:** Similar to his brother Matthew, Brady exhibited impressive skills and impact in the tournament until an injury hampered his performance, making him a valuable asset for the U.S.
**The Rest of the Roster**
The Olympic team will likely include 25 players, providing flexibility in selection.
Among forwards, Chris Kreider may be left out following a disappointing 4 Nations and an underwhelming season with the Rangers.
Brock Nelson’s inclusion is uncertain, although coaches value his faceoff skills and penalty-killing ability. Vincent Trocheck’s expertise may be more favorable.
From the 4 Nations lineup, Kyle Connor’s performance was shaky; he began as a first-liner but ended up scratched for the championship after limited production.
Yet, the versatile and imposing Thompson seems a safe bet to secure a roster spot.
Other forwards to watch next season include Keller, who possesses speed and power-play prowess, and Jack Hughes, Matt Boldy, and Connor, each with their particular strengths. However, having too many players of a similar style could be a disadvantage.
Several notable forwards not previously in the 4 Nations must also be considered for inclusion in Plymouth: Cooley, Frank Nazar, Jason Robertson, Matthew Knies, Alex Tuch, Bryan Rust, Patrick Kane, Conor Garland, Shane Pinto, Matty Beniers, and Cole Caufield, who notably missed the World Championships. Young talents such as Cutter Gauthier, Will Smith, Isaac Howard, and Ryan Leonard are also emerging candidates.
Given the U.S. team’s near success in the 4 Nations—defeated narrowly by Canada—coaching staff may rethink their strategies leading into the Olympic roster construction.
Guerin acknowledged that while he could consider replicating the same roster, the unpredictable nature of injuries and player performance necessitates careful reevaluation.
The competitive encounters against Canada were intense, emphasizing the need for adaptability in their gameplay and roster choices.
The Americans need a balance, capable of scoring while also being defensively sound.
**Defensemen**
A solid defensive lineup should feature McAvoy, Hughes, Werenski, Jaccob Slavin, Brock Faber, and Jake Sanderson, all likely to secure spot.
However, two remaining positions are still open for determination.
Adam Fox may need to prove himself deserving of a return after facing challenges during the tournament, despite having a supportive coaching staff familiar with his talent.
Noah Hanifin also finds himself on the roster bubble, facing competition from other defensemen.
Vlasic, for example, could cement his position easily with a strong season start at Chicago. Neal Pionk’s performance with the Winnipeg Jets makes him competitive as well. Additionally, Seth Jones has emerged impressively during playoffs.
New talent such as Calder Trophy-winning Lane Hutson, alongside Zeev Buium, who didn’t play extensively in the Worlds but delivered critical goals, represents potential replacements.
Other candidates include K’Andre Miller, Jackson LaCombe, Ryan McDonagh, Brady Skjei, and Luke Hughes.
**Goalies**
In goal, the U.S. might continue with the trio of Connor Hellebuyck, Jake Oettinger, and Swayman.
While Hellebuyck struggled recently in the playoffs, his past performances in international play could give him an edge for starting.
Oettinger had limited opportunities in the 4 Nations, yet he began the playoffs with promise before facing difficulties in the postseason with the Dallas Stars.
Swayman’s challenges last season, coupled with his strong World Championship showing, could reignite his candidacy for Olympic selection.
The lead-up to the Olympics continues, and as excitement builds, the focus turns to how the U.S. will finalize its squad, inspired by recent successes and past performances.
image source from：https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6417021/2025/06/12/united-states-hockey-olympics-stock-watch/
