Team USA Projected Lines for 2026 Olympics: Predicting Forwards, Defense Pairs & Starting Goalie

A lot has changed for ice hockey in the United States since its last medal win at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver. The country has seen some of the best players in the sport evolve into global superstars through their participation in the NHL.

Their 2026 Milan-Cortina Games roster hopes to bounce back from a disappointing loss after a silver-medal finish at the 4 Nations Face Off last year. Here’s taking a look at the Team USA projected lines after their practice session on Monday.

Forwards:

Brady Tkachuk – Jack Eichel – Matthew Tkachuk

Jake Guentzel – Auston Matthews – Matt Boldy

Kyle Connor – Dylan Larkin – Tage Thompson

J.T. Miller – Brock Nelson/Vincent Trocheck – Jack Hughes

Clayton Keller

Defense:

Quinn Hughes – Charlie McAvoy

Jaccob Slavin – Brock Faber

Noah Hanifin – Zach Werenski

Jake Sanderson – Jackson Lacombe

Team USA Projected Lines for 2026 Olympics: Offensive Lines

First Line: All four teams from last year’s tournament have opted for continuity and it is a similar case with Team USA’s first line. The Tkachuk brothers and Jack Eichel built wonderful chemistry, scoring 4 goals in a 6-1 win over Team Finland. Eichel’s creativity complemented the Tkachuks physicality.

Second Line: There is familiarity between Jake Guentzel and Auston Matthews as well from last year. Both are known for their knack of getting on the scoresheet on a regular basis. They were well protected by Jack Hughes last year but was replaced on Monday by Matt Boldy who has a 6’2”, 201lb frame.

Third Line: The third line has a combination of speed, strength and shooting skills. Elite skater Dylan Larkin is centering the line that has Tage Thompson on one of the flanks. Thompson, despite playing center for the Buffalo Sabres, will be utilized for his 6’6” frame to battle for the pucks on the side. Kyle Connor has a bullet of a shot that will complement Thompson and Larkin’s game.

Fourth Line: Brock Nelson and J.T. Miller combine for some high offensive production with a defensive upside. They will be well supported by Jack Hughes who seems to be forced into a bottom-six role because of injury concerns sustained while with the New Jersey Devils. Vincent Trochek was also tried at center to bank on his chemistry with New York Rangers teammate Miller.

Team USA Projected Lines for 2026 Olympics: Defensive Pairings

Quinn Hughes, who missed out from participating in the 4NFO due to injury, could have been paired with Minnesota Wild teammate, Brock Faber. Instead head coach Mike Sullivan has opted to keep Faber with his last year’s partner, Jacob Slavin, moving Charlie McAvoy alongside Hughes. The bottom two pairings consist of all left-shot defensemen looking to disrupt from the blueline.

Team USA Projected Lines for 2026 Olympics: Starting Goalie

Keeping the trend of continuity from last year’s best-on-best tourney, Sullivan is likely to trust Connor Hellebuyck as their starting goalie. He headed into the Olympic break with a 4-6-4 record with a 3.22 GAA and .889 save percentage and has crumbled under pressure, during the Stanley Cup playoffs in the past, when playing for the Winnipeg Jets.