2026 is here, and with it comes a major Olympic snub for one New York Rangers star. Rumors have swirled regarding the 25-man roster for Team USA ahead of the upcoming Milano-Cortina Games.
While most of the names are pretty locked in, one name will be reportedly absent from the red, blue, and white: Rangers defenseman Adam Fox.
ESPN’s Emily Kaplan reported late Wednesday night that the American side will go without the former Norris Trophy winner in their lineup. Kaplan wrote:
According to Kaplan, Team USA GM Bill Guerin named Seth Jones of the Florida Panthers in place of the Rangers’ blueliner.
The move comes as a major surprise, considering that Team USA coach Mike Sullivan is also the Rangers’ bench boss. Olympic coaches have tended to include players from their home clubs. That is, players they trust and rely upon.
For instance, Team Canada coach John Cooper, who is also the coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning, included forwards Anthony Cirelli, Brayden Point, and Brandon Hagel. Those are three players Cooper trusts and can rely upon in any situation.
The same goes for the Rangers’ and Team USA bench boss. Per Kaplan, Sullivan and his staff pushed for Fox’s inclusion in the American squad. Perhaps more information regarding the snub will emerge in the coming days.
Team USA will officially announce its rosters for the men’s, women’s, and Paralympic hockey squads on Friday morning.
Rangers Blueliner Could Not Parlay 4 Nations Success into Olympics
Fox was on the blueline for Team USA at the 4 Nations Face-Off last year. That blueline played well, pushing Canada to the brink in the final game. While they came up short in the end, the second-place finish was a testament to the United States’ depth.
This time around, Team USA management felt the Rangers’ rearguard wasn’t the right option for the club. It’s worth pointing out that Fox landed on LTIR this season with a suspect shoulder injury. However, he is ready to play.
Perhaps there’s a lingering issue that Team USA is concerned about. That’s purely hearsay at this point. There’s no evidence to suggest that might be the case. But one does wonder if there are any issues in the back of everyone’s minds, potentially keeping the Rangers’ top blueliner out of the running.
Fox Could Still Play in Olympics
The book isn’t entirely closed on Fox and the Olympics. There is still a chance that he could play in Milano Cortina. However, an injury would have to clear a space for the Rangers’ defenseman.
Also, other circumstances could open the door for Fox to join the team. It’s safe to assume that the US, like Canada, has a stand-by list of players ready for a call-up in case something happens. It remains unclear who’s on said list. Nevertheless, it’s a safe bet that the Rangers blueliner could be on it.
Rangers fans will have to wait until Friday morning to officially learn if Adam Fox did not make the US Olympic squad. In the meantime, the Rangers rumor mill continues to grind forward.
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