Top 5 Team USA roster snubs for 4 Nations Face-Off feat. Clayton Keller

The official Team USA roster for the 4 Nations Face-Off was announced on Wednesday. The major names headlining the American side were hardly surprising.

Among the Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews, Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk, and Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes were joined by stars like Winnipeg Jets Connor Hellebuyck, Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin, and Florida Panthers heart and soul Matthew Tkachuk.

However, some notable names were left off the stacked Team USA roster. So, let’s take a look at the top five snubs from Team USA’s official 4 Nations roster.

Top 5 Team USA snubs for 4 Nations Face-Off

#5 Cole Caufield

Caufield is a curious snub as he has started on a tear this season scoring 16 goals. Plus, the 4 Nations event will take place in Montreal, right in Caufield’s home arena. Still, the loaded Team USA roster has few open spots.

As such, Caufield took a back seat to more established stars. Fans may see Caufield on the 2025 Team USA roster for the Olympics.

#4 Alex DeBrincat

The talented and versatile Detroit Red Wings winger got passed over this time around. DeBrincat could have been a solid fit alongside teammate Dylan Larkin. However, the American management staff felt DeBrincat’s skill set wasn’t quite suitable for this iteration. DeBrincat should be another name to watch out for in 2026.

#3 Brock Boeser

The Vancouver Canucks winger was a notable snub given his long track record and high-octane game. Plus, he’s big and gritty, providing a little bit of everything a team could want in a top-six winger. Perhaps the American coaching staff felt Boeser's lack of defensive upside might be a liability, particularly in such a short tournament.

#2 Patrick Kane

Kane is on the older side. However, the 36-year-old three-time Stanley Cup champion can still play with the best of them. His 1,200 games of NHL experience could be crucial in a tournament such as the 4 Nations. Moreover, his leadership and presence make Kane the sort of player a team would want in the locker room. Nevertheless, it seems the American side wants a younger core to lead this way this time.

#1 Clayton Keller

The Utah Hockey Club captain has been a force to be reckoned with this season. He’s led a young and up-and-coming Utah club that wasn’t expected to contend. His leadership, versatility, and energy could have significantly energized the American squad’s bottom six.

While there’s no shortage of firepower on the American side, there is a lack of solid two-way forwards aside from Matthews and Larkin. The US could have used someone like Keller to anchor the Americans’ checking forwards. Keller will most certainly get the nod in 2026.