Patrick Kane will attend USA Hockey’s orientation camp in Plymouth, Michigan, aiming for a third Olympic appearance in Italy next year, and his veteran presence immediately becomes a focal point for the US lineup. Kane joins a cadre of Olympians and former Olympians at the two-day camp that doubles as administrative team-building ahead of the formal selection process. The gathering also highlights several expected contributors and surprises, underscoring how final roster decisions in January will hinge on health, chemistry, and where veteran leadership can push younger talent toward Olympic-level performance.

USA Hockey announced six of the 2026 Olympic forwards and defensed early this summer, with the final 25-man roster due in January. Notably absent from invites were high-end scorers like Alex DeBrincat, while names such as Jack Eichel, Auston Matthews, and Brayden Tkachuk are already positioned as core pieces. Coaching duties fall to Minnesota’s Bill Guerin and Mike Sullivan, and the event itself signals a careful balance of continuity and new voices as the US chases a deep, adaptable squad for the Winter Games in Italy.

USA Hockey invited 44 NHL players to a two day orientation in Plymouth, Michigan on Aug 26 27 as an early peek at the 2026 Olympic roster. The event is mainly administrative and team building with no on ice work, and attendance does not guarantee a spot on the final 25 man team, which will be announced in early January ahead of the Games in February 2026.

Among those invited are 23 players who played in the 4 Nations Face Off, 12 world championship gold medalists, and a mix of current stars and former Olympians such as Patrick Kane, Ryan McDonagh, Brock Faber, Matthew Knies and Jake Sanderson. The roster snapshot spans goaltenders, defensemen and forwards including top names like Auston Matthews, Jack Eichel, Connor Hellebuyck, Dylan Larkin, Jason Robertson, Kyle Connor, Tage Thompson, Brady Tkachuk and Vincent Trocheck. Noteworthy caveats include Matthews potential pace and Kane’s possible role given evolving surgery considerations for Tkachuk. The final 25 roster is due in January, with Olympic hockey scheduled for 2026.

The 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs are intensifying as elimination games loom across North America. With all teams still in contention, key narratives have emerged. Connor Hellebuyck's struggles with the Winnipeg Jets are at the forefront, as he faces pressure following early exits in playoff games against the St. Louis Blues, raising concerns about his playoff performance history. Meanwhile, the Ottawa Senators defied expectations by forcing a Game 5 against the Toronto Maple Leafs, who have a dismal 1-12 record in elimination situations since 2017.

In the West, the Vegas Golden Knights are demonstrating their depth, as scoring contributions come from unexpected sources during critical moments. The Battle of Florida has heated up, with Matthew Tkachuk’s aggressive play triggering debates about discipline amidst a fierce Tampa Bay Lightning comeback. Goalies like Jacob Markstrom and Frederik Andersen are also pivotal, showcasing their skills while managing injuries that could affect future games. As the playoffs progress, the tides could shift rapidly as teams battle for supremacy.