Team USA Makes Key Blue Line Adjustment Ahead of 2026 Winter Olympics
With the 2026 Winter Olympics just around the corner, Team USA is making a significant adjustment on defense - and it’s one that could have ripple effects both in Italy and back home in the NHL.
Seth Jones, a cornerstone of the Florida Panthers’ defense and a veteran presence for Team USA, has been ruled out of the Olympic lineup due to an upper-body injury. The injury occurred during the Panthers’ Winter Classic showdown with the New York Rangers, and while early projections hinted at a possible return before the Olympic break, that timeline has since shifted. Jones is now on long-term injured reserve, which means he’s out for at least ten games or 24 days - effectively ending his Olympic hopes for this cycle.
Stepping into that vacated roster spot is Anaheim Ducks defenseman Jackson LaCombe, who’s quietly been putting together a strong season in Southern California. Through 49 games, LaCombe has notched 25 assists and six goals - a solid offensive output for a defenseman - and he’s been a key contributor to a Ducks team that, despite some recent turbulence, currently sits third in the Pacific Division. If the playoffs started today, Anaheim would be in.
LaCombe brings a blend of mobility, two-way responsibility, and positional versatility that fits well in the Olympic format. He’s been logging time on both the power play and penalty kill for Anaheim, and his skating ability has drawn praise from coaches and scouts alike.
Still, his selection hasn’t gone unnoticed - or unchallenged.
Some fans and analysts have raised eyebrows over the omission of Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson, who’s having a standout season of his own. Hutson, last year’s Calder Trophy winner, has racked up 52 points already - tying him with Columbus’ Zach Werenski for second among NHL defensemen, just behind Cale Makar’s 54. From a pure production standpoint, Hutson’s numbers jump off the page.
But Team USA appears to be prioritizing balance and fit over flash. According to FanDuel Sports Network’s Andy Strickland, who cited sources close to the team, the decision came down to LaCombe’s size, versatility, and defensive reliability.
“LaCombe has more versatility and size. Plays PP, PK, defends well.
Skates amazing,” Strickland posted on Twitter. “We like Hutson but he's an undersized guy and we already have Quinn [Hughes].”
It’s a fair point - Olympic rosters aren’t just about who’s scoring the most points. They’re about building a team that can match up against the world’s best in a short, high-stakes tournament. And with Hughes already in the mix as a dynamic, puck-moving blueliner, Team USA may have felt adding another undersized offensive defenseman would tilt the balance too far in one direction.
Still, the Canadiens haven’t exactly taken the snub in stride. Earlier this week, the team’s social media account tagged Team USA in a post celebrating Cole Caufield’s game-winning goal against the Minnesota Wild - a subtle reminder that Caufield, too, was left off the Olympic roster despite his scoring pedigree.
As for Jones, his absence is a blow not just for Team USA, but also for the Panthers. Before the injury, he was averaging 23 minutes of ice time per game and had tallied 24 points (six goals, 18 assists) in 40 appearances. He was also coming off a memorable playoff run in 2024-25, where he helped lead Florida to its first Stanley Cup title with four goals and nine assists during the postseason.
Now, the spotlight shifts to LaCombe, who will have a chance to prove he belongs on the international stage. His next test comes Friday, when the Ducks face the Seattle Kraken in a game with major playoff implications. But come February, the stakes will be even higher - and all eyes will be on how this young defenseman handles the Olympic pressure.