In Milan, preparations are underway for the Winter Olympics as Team USA gears up for their preliminary round game against Latvia on Thursday. Among the notable players vying for a spot in the lineup are New York Rangers teammates J.T. Miller and Vincent Trocheck. Both players are expected to fill bottom-six roles during the tournament, a shift from their usual top-six positions with the Rangers, due to the deep talent pool available for the U.S. squad.
Currently, it seems there is only one opening in the lineup for either Miller or Trocheck, which adds an interesting dynamic for head coach Mike Sullivan. During Monday’s practice, Miller was seen filling a regular position on the fourth line as a left winger, flanked by Brock Nelson and Jack Hughes. In contrast, Trocheck practiced as an extra forward alongside Clayton Keller. Just a day prior, Team USA employed Trocheck as the center on the fourth line, demonstrating the ongoing evaluation process for Sullivan as he considers the best combination for the Olympic matches.
It’s possible that these practice lineups are merely initial configurations, with Sullivan experimenting before settling on a more fixed roster. Given the existing camaraderie among the players and Sullivan’s familiarity with both Miller and Trocheck from their time together with the Rangers, this adjustment could serve to enhance the team’s cohesion.
Furthermore, Miller’s potential placement on the third line remains a consideration as well, with Dylan Larkin and Tage Thompson solidifying that line. The U.S. practiced with Jack Eichel centered between the Tkachuk brothers, Matthew and Brady, while Auston Matthews was joined by Jake Guentzel and Matthew Boldy. Boldy, who recently demonstrated impressive scoring ability with 32 goals in the NHL, likely secured a top-six spot ahead of Hughes, who has struggled with injuries this season.
The defensive pairings appear to be firming up, featuring Quinn Hughes and Charlie McAvoy, Jaccob Slavin and Brock Faber, along with Zach Werenski and Noah Hanifin, with Jake Sanderson and Jackson Lacombe as extras. In goal, Connor Hellebuyck, the reigning Hart and Vezina Trophy winner, is expected to defend the crease despite a challenging season.
On another front, the Swedish team is benefiting from the talents of Rangers’ Mika Zibanejad, who has a notable history of elevating his performance on the international stage. His contributions are not just limited to scoring; his leadership and dedication to a two-way game are invaluable assets to Sweden. This commitment was highlighted by Victor Hedman, emphasizing Zibanejad’s role as a “game changer” for the team as they prepare to face host Italy in Group B during their Olympic opener.
As teams prepare for the games ahead, the anticipation grows for these talented players to shine on an international platform, contributing to the pride of their respective nations.