“I’ve given everything to my game this season—leading Team USA in goals and stepping up in key moments. If I’m left off the Olympic roster, it’s a decision I’ll never understand. I’m not just a goal-scorer; I’ve worked hard to be a complete player, and I know I can make a difference on that stage.”
— Cole Caufield, Montreal Canadiens Forward
In a surprising turn of events, TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reported earlier this week that Cole Caufield of the Montreal Canadiens is not expected to be a part of Team USA’s roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. Despite Caufield leading the U.S. team in goals with 12 goals in just 16 games this season, many—including hockey analyst Simon “the Snake” Boisvert—are scratching their heads over why USA Hockey would leave him out.
Boisvert, a guest on the Le Sick Podcast this Wednesday with Tony Marinaro, voiced his surprise over LeBrun’s report, questioning why Team USA wouldn’t consider Caufield for the Olympic roster. Boisvert pointed out that, for a tournament like the Olympics, it’s not about veteran experience for a fourth-line role—it’s about showcasing skill. He argued that USA Hockey will face teams far weaker than themselves and won’t need veteran presences like Brock Nelson or Chris Kreider, who are more experienced but lack the scoring ability of Caufield.
Caufield’s Scoring Prowess and Olympic Worth
Looking at Boisvert’s logic, it’s hard to fathom how Caufield wouldn’t be included in the top 13 forwards for Team USA. Any country would welcome a pure goal-scorer like him for an event like the Olympics. While Caufield’s penalty-kill performance may not be stellar, he’s proven himself as an elite scorer, particularly in power-play situations and overtime. The fact that Team USA lost in overtime at the Four Nations Tournament highlights how crucial Caufield’s scoring ability could be in such critical moments.
With the likelihood of one or two overtime games during the Olympic qualifiers, Caufield could be the difference-maker. He leads the NHL in overtime wins this season, with three. His ability to deliver when the pressure’s on could make him an invaluable asset to Team USA.
The Missed Opportunity for Team USA
While nothing about LeBrun’s report is confirmed, the credibility of the source suggests it may hold weight. LeBrun explained that Team USA could not find a spot for Caufield in their top six forwards, which is why they’re opting to leave him off the roster. However, considering Caufield’s impact on the game and his versatility, many believe this decision doesn’t reflect what’s best for the team, especially in a tournament like the Olympics where skill takes precedence.
A Silver Lining for Canada
For those rooting for Team Canada, this could be seen as a fortunate development. With Caufield potentially out of the picture, Canada gains an edge, knowing that Team USA will miss one of its most potent goal-scoring threats. But for Montreal Canadiens fans, this is a bitter pill to swallow. As much as the news may benefit Canada, it’s disappointing for those who hoped to see Caufield shine on the Olympic stage.
A Crucial Decision for USA Hockey
Whether or not Team USA ultimately decides to leave Caufield off the roster remains to be seen, but the discussion is already sparking a lot of debate. Will Caufield get a chance to represent Team USA, or will this be a missed opportunity for one of the league’s most prolific goal-scorers? With the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan fast approaching, we’ll have to wait and see if the U.S. makes the right call.
Look, I know that the Golden Knights are 7-4-4 entering Thursday’s game against the New York Islanders. The boys are injured, wounded, hurting, whatever you want to call it.
I also know that Bruce Cassidy has quite the reputation for, well, being a hot head. That might not deter guys like Mitch Marner from heading to Las Vegas. Still, he’s known for rubbing certain guys the wrong way.
However, it could be worse. Much worse.
The Toronto Maple Leafs media is suddenly calling for head coach Craig Berube’s head. An 8-8-1 record with 17 points has the Maple Leafs near the bottom of the Atlantic Division with the Buffalo Sabres. That’s not even mentioning that they just lost Auston Matthews to a lower-body injury. Don’t forget about the 2023 Stanley Cup that Cassidy won. That’s also important.
All of this culminates in a situation that’s more beneficial for Marner to stick around with Vegas than his boyhood team. Fans can’t forget that Marner’s on his way to becoming one of the first 100-point players in Golden Knights history. As of Thursday, he has 19 points (four goals and 15 assists) and is on pace for 104 points (22 goals and 82 assists). Imagine the chaos that would ensue if he broke the franchise mark.
As mentioned, Bruce Cassidy is well-known for having a hot temper. At one point, he was voted as one of the least desirable head coaches to play for in the NHL. But you must admit one thing about the former Bruins head coach: he wins.
In fact, he’s the winningest head coach in Golden Knights history. Cassidy boasts a record of 261-153-77 (.646 winning percentage), getting 337 points in the process. He also carries a playoff record of 24-16, making him the most successful Stanley Cup playoff head coach in franchise history.
While Berube doesn’t have the tenure that Cassidy has, it’s already looking like his Toronto stay is collapsing like the Blue Jays. A playoff record of 7-6 and a winning percentage of .631 pales in comparison to the Golden Knights’ bench boss, making Marner’s decision a no-brainer.
Heck, you can even see how Jack Eichel is doing compared to Auston Matthews and see that the Marner effect is alive and kickin’ (stats courtesy of MoneyPuck).
Player
Goals
Assists
Corsi
Fenwick
Primary Assists
Jack Eichel
8
14
55%
57%
4
Auston Matthews
9
5
51%
53%
2
While Matthews has become an independent goal-scorer, injuries and the absence of your main facilitator hurt you in many ways. Sure, Eichel hasn’t gotten as many opportunities with Marner as Matthews has. One can point to Cassidy’s endless lineup shuffles and familiarity with Berube’s system as perfect examples. However, Cassidy also has something that the Maple Leafs head coach doesn’t: a winning culture.
That’s partially why Marner left Berube’s Maple Leafs to join Cassidy’s Golden Knights. When you can leave a hawkish media that’s starved for a Stanley Cup like Homer Simpson on a hunger strike, you’ll take that chance.
With Marner, he’s already having a positive effect on the top units for Vegas. Pavel Dorofeyev has 10 goals this season, with six coming on the power play. Eichel’s trending towards 44 goals and a 100-point season himself.
Sometimes, the grass is indeed greener on the other side. That’s especially true if you’re looking to win a Stanley Cup and get past the second round. Luckily, Cassidy knows a thing or two about that. You can’t say the same thing about Craig Berube right now.