Team USA's Olympic hopes hinge on adding these top NHL picks

Team USA is already looking stacked after the first six skaters were announced for the 2026 Winter Olympics roster. With big guns like the Tkachuk brothers and Auston Matthews leading the way up front, there is a clear focus on high-impact offense and diverse skillsets that include a mix of grit and polished playmakers.

As the Americans attempt to follow up the IIHF World Championship gold from 2025, there is a huge number of worthy additions to the roster in the future. If USA wants to capture Olympic gold for the first time since 1980, team executives should give the nod to these highly skilled players.

Hughes, Keller can provide a dynamic offensive core

New Jersey Devils forward Jack Hughes is a no-brainer to join his brother Quinn on the Olympic roster. Jack has been a standout ever since he was selected first overall in the 2019 NHL Draft, but his playing style continues to develop very effectively as he steps into a leadership role with the Devils.

The 24-year-old has refined his play a lot particularly over the last two seasons, as he has become a consistent penalty killer and someone who can be relied upon in all situations. He's no longer just known for his franchise-record scoring, but he has become an extremely well-rounded player with plenty of room to continue to grow his game.

Jack brings so much skill to the table: laser-sharp accurate passing, tremendous offensive instincts to make plays, and the ability to shake off defenders and light the lamp in impressive fashion. The middle Hughes brother has tallied 144 points in 124 games played over the last two seasons, adding onto a record-breaking 99 point campaign in 2022-23.

Skating with someone like Matthew Tkachuk would provide a player who he can bounce off of to generate scoring chances, and Tkachuk could provide the physical presence that Jack needs in order to free up space on the ice to flourish offensively.

A more underrated addition for Team USA would be Clayton Keller. He captained the team to its first World Championship gold in over 90 years in May, and made a strong Olympic case for himself in the process.

The 26-year-old scored three goals and seven assists in 10 games at that tournament, building on a career-best NHL season. Keller notched 90 points for the Utah Mammoth in his third straight 30-goal season.

Keller is flying under the radar as a speedy, playmaking center that would fit in perfectly on a third line for Team USA. He brings a level of compete and leadership, coupled with solid fitness and skating, that would round out the middle or bottom six of the roster perfectly.

Locking down defense

Defenseman Zach Werenski should absolutely be in the next batch of NHL players named to Team USA. At age 27, Werenski not only produced personal best offense in 2024-25, but set numerous records for the Columbus Blue Jackets in the process.

The Michigan native's point production skyrocketed this year, resulting in 23 goals and 82 points in 81 games. He broke his own franchise record for goals, assists and points by a defenseman, also putting up the team's best-ever offensive performance in a single game with five points against the Lightning in November.

He was also honored as the best defenseman of the World Championships this year, tallying six points in seven games en route to gold. That's thanks to not only his scoring ability, but his impressive shutdown play. Werenski recorded 131 blocked shots in the regular season, along with a calm and collected attitude when carrying the puck. He can effectively win battles and gain possession for his team while being able to generate rush attempts and zone entries as well.

Werenski finished third in Norris Trophy voting this season, only behind phenoms Cale Makar and Quinn Hughes. With Hughes serving as the go-to in all situations, Werenski would be a wonderful quarterback on the second power play unit.

If Team USA chooses the rest of the roster wisely, these skaters will no doubt be huge difference-makers in the hunt for Olympic gold.