USA Hockey made a significant roster adjustment ahead of the upcoming Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, announcing that defenseman Seth Jones will no longer be part of the team due to injury. In his place, Anaheim Ducks standout Jackson LaCombe has been named to the squad.
Jones, a key piece of the Florida Panthers’ blue line and a Stanley Cup champion just last season, had been dealing with an injury sustained earlier this month. Initially labeled week-to-week, there was still some hope he could recover in time to suit up for Team USA.
But with the Panthers moving him to long-term injured reserve on Monday, that hope officially came to an end. It's a tough break for a player who’s long been a staple on the international stage for the U.S., including wearing the “C” at the 2022 IIHF Men’s World Championship.
For Jones, missing the Olympics is a bitter pill. For LaCombe, it’s the door opening wide.
LaCombe isn’t just a fill-in - he’s a rising force. The Minnesota native played a major role in helping the U.S. capture gold at last year’s World Championship, and he’s been logging heavy minutes for the Ducks this season.
He’s averaging over 24 minutes a night, anchoring both the power play and penalty kill, and showing the kind of poise and consistency you want from a top-pairing defenseman. His offensive numbers back it up too - 43 points last season, and already 31 through 49 games this year.
Anaheim clearly believes in his future. Back in October, they locked him up with an eight-year deal worth $9 million annually. That’s franchise cornerstone money, and LaCombe’s play has lived up to it.
From a roster construction standpoint, LaCombe’s addition does shift the balance a bit. He’s a left-shot defenseman, and with Jones out, Team USA is now left with just two right-shot blueliners: Brock Faber and Charlie McAvoy.
That’s not ideal in a tournament where matchups and puck movement can be everything. Adam Fox, arguably the best right-shot American defenseman not on the roster, might’ve been the natural replacement - but he’s also on LTIR, which likely took him out of the running.
There were other names in the mix too. Lane Hutson, who’s been making waves with the Canadiens and has shown he can play both sides, might’ve been a consideration.
But with Quinn Hughes already on the roster, adding another undersized, offensive-minded defenseman may have given GM Bill Guerin pause. Balance matters, especially in a short tournament like the Olympics.
LaCombe, though, brings a complete game. He’s mobile, smart with the puck, and reliable in his own zone.
He can eat minutes, play in all situations, and doesn’t shy away from the physical side of the game. He was reportedly one of the final cuts when the roster was first assembled, so this isn’t a case of Team USA reaching deep into the depth chart.
He was right there in the mix all along.
Now, with the spotlight shifting his way, LaCombe gets a shot to prove he belongs on the Olympic stage. It’s not the way he-or anyone-would’ve wanted it to happen, but it’s a massive opportunity nonetheless. And for Team USA, it’s a reminder of the depth and talent they have waiting in the wings.