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.

Milan Lucic, 37, is trying out with the St. Louis Blues, marking a surprising late‑career bid for an NHL return after his 2023 stint. The veteran winger arrived in camp as a non‑guaranteed option, aiming to carve out a depth role with his size, nastiness, and playoff pedigree. Lucic’s career totals—233 goals, 353 assists, 1,301 penalty minutes over 17 seasons—underscore a profile built on edge and resilience rather than pure scoring. His Cup-winning run with Boston in 2011 looms large in the back of Blues’ minds as they gauge whether his presence can bring a veteran spark to a young bunk.

Off ice, Lucic faced a highly publicized personal incident in his late‑30s, but the Blues say he has completed the Player Assistance Program and been reinstated by the NHL. If he makes the roster, fantasy managers will watch for a potential fourth‑line/PK role that could yield steady hits and PIM with limited minutes, depending on how camp shakes out. The camp competition and how he handles practice tempo will determine if this is a short‑term depth addition or a longer stay that could influence Blues’ depth chart and special teams usage this season.

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.

Milan Lucic signed a professional tryout with the St. Louis Blues, marking a high‑impact veteran addition as training camp nears. At 37 and after a 2023‑24 leave of absence, Lucic appeared in four games with Boston and had two assists, signaling that any roster spot would hinge on camp performance. The move places Lucic in competition for a Blues fourth line role, potentially boosting energy, forechecking, and penalty‑kill depth if he earns a full contract.

Lucic’s Cup pedigree with Boston in 2011 adds playoff credibility to a Blues group seeking veteran leadership and grit. Fantasy managers will monitor whether a successful camp translates to real ice time and PK minutes, especially if injuries or slumps buffet the Blues’ depth. Even as a PTO, Lucic narrows uncertainty for Blues’ bottom six and could influence how young forwards are deployed in September.

Boston Bruins and Blues are the teams most entwined in this narrative, with Lucic’s legacy tied to Boston’s championship era and his career now entering a potential encore with St. Louis. The development arc creates an intriguing fantasy angle: a healthy Lucic could push for a fourth‑line slot and add a containment presence that shapes opposite wings and line matches.