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Why Rangers stars, friends may battle for same spot in U.S. Olympic lineup
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- Why Rangers stars, friends may battle for same spot in U.S. Olympic lineup
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It's only been two practices in Milan, and there are still several days before the preliminary round begins with a game against Latvia on Thursday, but it's looking like New York Rangers stalwarts J.T. Miller and Vincent Trocheck very well could compete for the same spot in the lineup for the United States at the Winter Olympics.
Each expects to play a bottom-six role for Team USA at the Milan-Cortina Games, as opposed to the top-six assignments they fill with the Rangers. An incredibly deep and talented U.S. roster is the reason for that. And those roles are not unfamiliar for Miller nor Trocheck since that's where they slotted in when Team USA finished second at the 4 Nations Face-Off a year ago.
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The difference now, though, is that there might just be one opening in the lineup for coach Mike Sullivan to fill with either Miller or Trocheck.
At practice Monday, Miller took a regular turn at left wing on the a fourth line centered by Brock Nelson, with Jack Hughes on right wing. Trocheck was an extra forward, along with Clayton Keller.
The day before, in their first practice since arriving in Milan, Team USA deployed Trocheck in the middle of Nelson and Keller on the fourth line. Miller rotated in, but Trocheck was more the constant.
Now, who's to say that Sullivan isn't trying out new looks first at practice before he leans into using a fourth line that features Trocheck in the middle and Miller on the wing? That very well could be the case, given the familiarity the players have with one another, and Sullivan has with them since he's also their coach with the Rangers.
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Or Miller could skate on the third line when the games begin, too. Dylan Larkin and Tage Thompson appear set on that line, remaining together the first two days. But Hughes skated on their wing Sunday, and Kyle Connor practiced there Monday. Perhaps Miller lands in that spot and Trocheck centers the fourth line? That's certainly a possibility.
But for now it appears Team USA's coach may decide between which of his star players with the Rangers sits and which plays in the Winter Games. Each is a respected leader, who plays a hard-nosed game, wins face-offs, and is a complete 200-foot player at each end of the rink. Miller and Trocheck also are excellent penalty killers, and were paired in that role together during the 4 Nations Face-Off.
Bottom-six opportunities await Rangers' J.T. Miller, Vincent Trocheck at Olympics
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Sullivan seems set with his top-six forward group and all three defense pairings, though. The U.S practiced each day with Jack Eichel centering the Tkachuk brothers — Matthew and Brady — and Auston Matthews was flanked by Jake Guentzel and Matthew Boldy. The one thing that jumps out here is that Boldy replaced Hughes in that top-six spot compared to the 4 Nations lineup. Hughes battled injuries much of the season, and missed the final three games for the New Jersey Devils ahead of the Olympic break with a lower-body injury.
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Boldy's 32 goals are tied for third most in the NHL , and are more than any other player on the U.S. roster.
The defense pairings are Quinn Hughes and Charlie McAvoy, Jaccob Slavin and Brock Faber, and Zach Werenski and Noah Hanifin. The extra d-men are Jake Sanderson and Jackson Lacombe.
Despite being in the middle of a down season, the United States is expected to ride goalie Connor Hellebuyck, the reigning Hart and Vezina Trophy winner in the NHL.
Rangers' Mika Zibanejad'game changer' for Sweden
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Mika Zibanejad loves wearing the Tre Kronor sweater, and often lifts his game on the international stage. The Rangers forward famously scored in overtime for Sweden in the gold medal game at the 2012 World Junior Championship; and last spring, he had eight points (five goals, three assists) in nine games to help Sweden finish third at the 2025 IIHF World Championship. He also had one goal in two games at the 4 Nations Face-Off.
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Victor Hedman told Mollie Walker of the New York Post that Zibanejad brings "a lot" to Sweden's lineup at these Winter Olympics.
"Not just the power play. His shot, but his leadership, too. His dedication to his two-way game. And that's a tremendous guy, too, as well, like all other Swedes. He's going to mean a lot. He's a game changer. He's going to be a big, important piece for us."
Walker reported that Sweden held a closed practice Monday. But Elias Pettersson told reporters that he practiced on a line with Zibanejad and Rickard Rakell.
Sweden, which is in Group B, opens Olympic play Wednesday when they skate against host Italy.
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