Jason Robertson and Jake Oettinger were named to USA Hockey’s Olympic Orientation Camp in Plymouth, Michigan (Aug. 26-27), joining 42 other invitees from 24 NHL teams as Team USA gears up for 2026 Milano Cortina. The two-day camp is administrative and team-building, with no on-ice sessions. The selection marks an early step toward finalizing the Olympic roster, which already included six players announced in June: Eichel, Matthews, Brady Tkachuk, Matthew Tkachuk, Hughes and McAvoy.

The U.S. sits atop the IIHF rankings and is chasing its first Olympic gold since 1980, after a 4 Nations final loss to Canada earlier in 2025 and a World Championship gold in May. A full invitee list was released by USA Hockey, underscoring the depth and ambition of this roster-building phase.

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.

The New York Islanders have shaken up their roster by trading defenseman Noah Dobson to the Montreal Canadiens as part of a sign-and-trade deal that secures Dobson an eight-year contract worth $76 million. The Islanders receive forwards Emil Heineman and the 16th and 17th picks in the upcoming NHL draft. This strategic move comes after a challenging season for Dobson, who recorded 39 points and a minus-16 rating.

Meanwhile, the Canadiens are looking to enhance their defense with the addition of Dobson, who joins promising rookie Lane Hutson. The trade reflects the Canadiens' efforts to solidify their squad after returning to the playoffs after a four-year hiatus, although they fell short against the Washington Capitals. The Islanders, with their eye on the draft, hope to target Boston College center James Hagens, a Long Island native who has local fans excited.

The Boston Bruins have solidified their defensive lineup by extending Mason Lohrei's contract for two more years at an annual cap hit of $3.2 million. At just 24 years old, Lohrei has already made a significant impact, scoring five goals and providing 28 assists last season. This performance has helped him establish himself as a key player, particularly when the Bruins' top defensemen, Charlie McAvoy and Elias Lindholm, were sidelined due to injuries.

Standing tall at 6-foot-5 and weighing 220 pounds, Lohrei led all Bruins defensemen in assists, points, and power-play points last season. His consistent play has made him a valuable asset on the blue line, and his contract extension reflects the team's confidence in his abilities to contribute to their success moving forward.

Anticipation builds for the return of NHL players to the Olympics at the 2026 Milano Cortina Games, following a successful 4 Nations Face-Off tournament. The tournament featured teams from the United States, Canada, Finland, and Sweden, and the Olympic roster expands to include ten nations vying for gold. The U.S. revealed its first six players, including standout talents like Jack Eichel and Auston Matthews, while Charlie McAvoy was chosen over Jaccob Slavin, a notable decision given Slavin's Norris Trophy ranking.

The tournament takes place from February 5-22, with the NHL pausing to allow players to participate instead of hosting an All-Star Game.