Lane Hutson Left Off Team USA-Again-Despite Stellar Play Against Wild
Lane Hutson couldn’t have made a louder statement if he tried. On Tuesday night, the Montreal Canadiens defenseman delivered a goal and a secondary assist on Cole Caufield’s last-minute game-winner against the Minnesota Wild-a performance that should’ve turned heads.
One of those heads? Bill Guerin’s.
Not only is Guerin the GM of the Wild, but he also holds the same role for the U.S. Olympic men’s hockey team.
And yet, less than 24 hours later, Team USA announced that Anaheim Ducks defenseman Jackson LaCombe would replace the injured Seth Jones on the Olympic roster. Not Hutson. Again.
Now, sure, it's probably just a coincidence. But given the timing and the context, it’s hard not to raise an eyebrow.
Hutson’s Omission: Understandable Then, Puzzling Now
Let’s rewind a bit. When the initial Olympic roster dropped this past summer, Hutson’s absence wasn’t entirely shocking.
Despite winning the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie, he hadn’t yet built up the international résumé that U.S. Hockey brass clearly valued-particularly those who were part of the 2025 IIHF World Championship gold-medal team.
That group carried weight, and the selection process leaned heavily toward players with proven success on the international stage.
So, when Hutson and even Caufield were left off the final roster, it wasn’t necessarily a snub-it was a message: experience matters. But that was then. Circumstances have changed.
Why LaCombe Over Hutson?
There’s logic to picking LaCombe. He was part of that gold-medal squad, and at 6-foot-2, 205 pounds, he brings size and physicality that Hutson-listed at 5-foot-9, 162-simply doesn’t. That kind of size can be valuable on Olympic ice, especially when trying to match up against the likes of Canada or Sweden.
But here’s the thing: production matters, too. And Hutson is producing at an elite level.
His two points against Minnesota vaulted him into a tie with Zach Werenski for second among all NHL defensemen in scoring-and tied for the lead among American blueliners. Werenski made the U.S. roster.
So did Quinn Hughes, who sits fifth in that same category. LaCombe?
He’s 19th among defensemen in scoring, with 31 points in 49 games.
That’s not a knock on LaCombe-he’s had a solid season. But when you stack up the numbers, Hutson’s résumé is simply stronger. He’s not just keeping pace with the league’s best defensemen-he’s pushing the pace.
Other Options Ignored?
It’s not just Hutson who was passed over. Veterans like John Carlson (10th in defenseman scoring) and Shayne Gostisbehere (16th) were also left off.
That suggests Team USA may be prioritizing youth and future potential over proven NHL experience. If that’s the case, Hutson’s exclusion becomes even more perplexing.
He’s not a grizzled vet, but he’s already shown he can be a game-changer at the NHL level. He’s within striking distance of Cale Makar in the scoring race.
Let that sink in. If Canada had a defenseman putting up those numbers, there’d be national outrage if he didn’t make the roster.
With Hutson, the U.S. seems content to look the other way.
The Dual Citizenship Rumor
There was some offseason chatter that Hutson, who holds dual citizenship, might consider switching allegiances to Canada. That talk was quickly shut down by Hutson himself, who made it clear he wants to represent the U.S. if given the chance. So if there’s any lingering resentment over those comments-whether from Hutson’s camp or his family-it would be incredibly petty to let that influence roster decisions.
Still, here we are. Whether it’s a preference for LaCombe or a quiet bias against Hutson, the end result is the same: one of the NHL’s most dynamic young defensemen will be watching the Olympics from home.
The Bigger Picture
Even if you buy into the idea that LaCombe brings a more balanced, physical presence to the U.S. blue line, what does that mean for the future? Four years from now, if Hutson continues to outproduce LaCombe, will the U.S. still prioritize size over skill? Eight years from now?
The idea of passing the torch to the next generation makes sense. But if that’s the goal, Hutson should be front and center in that conversation.
He’s not just the future-he’s already arrived. And based on a comparable number of NHL games, he’s made more of an impact than many of the players chosen ahead of him.
Canadiens Fans: Mixed Emotions
For Canadiens fans, it’s a bit of a mixed bag. On one hand, Nick Suzuki will represent Team Canada, and that’s a huge honor. But it also raises concerns-extra mileage, potential injury risk, and fatigue down the stretch.
On the other hand, Hutson’s snub means he’ll be fresh for the second half of the NHL season. And if Tuesday’s performance against the Wild is any indication, a well-rested Hutson might be exactly what the Canadiens need to make a push.
A Motivated Player Is a Dangerous One
Hutson doesn’t need bulletin-board material-his play speaks for itself. But if there’s any silver lining to this Olympic omission, it’s that he now has something to prove. Again.
And that’s great news for Montreal.
Because if this is what Hutson looks like playing with a chip on his shoulder, Canadiens fans might want to buckle up. The rest of the season-and possibly the next few Olympics-could be a showcase for a player who’s already forcing the hockey world to take notice. Even if his own country hasn’t.