With the 2026 Winter Olympic Games approaching, NHL players get a chance at international best-on-best hockey for the first time since 2014. This opportunity presents itself as one of the greatest challenges for these players and their careers. With the final roster being released at the beginning of the new year, questions remain unanswered. 

Team Canada released their team first, leaving guys like Connor Bedard and Sam Bennett at home wondering why they didn’t make the final squad. These players not making the team can be excused by injuries or a simple lack of production, but Team USA’s snubs cannot.

Jason Robertson, a 26-year-old forward, remains over a point per game this season, with 25 goals already. Throughout his career, Robertson proved that he can score goals from anywhere on the ice. His wicked wrist shot sets him apart from every other player in the NHL. He’s earned more points and goals than any other American-born player in the NHL. Despite his rapid production and success, Robertson was left off Team USA’s roster.

Many people argue that Robertson deserved a spot on the team over 32-year-old Vincent Trocheck, simply because of the difference in production. Trocheck traveled with Team USA last year in the Four Nations Face-Off, where they finished second to Canada. During that tournament, Trocheck put up zero points over four games with a -1 +/-. Robertson hasn’t gone four games without a point once all season. 

Suspicions remain that Team USA’s general manager, Bill Guerin, feared that bringing a lot of younger players will harm the team’s success. Guerin only took four players under the age 26, while Team Canada took 19-year-old Macklin Celebrini with hopes to bring a young energy to the locker room. 

I believe that the decision of leaving Robertson at home will come back to haunt Guerin and Team USA. The spark that he could provide to the team will be what they are lacking, making them fall short of another gold medal.