Four injury replacement options for Team USA at the Winter Olympics

Matthew Knies, W, Toronto Maple Leafs

2025-26 season: 37 GP, 11 G, 25 A, 36 PTS, 19:27 TOI

Knies has actually outscored several of the Olympic forward selections for Team USA at five-on-five over the past two seasons, including Toronto teammate Auston Matthews, Colorado Avalanche center Brock Nelson, Rangers centers Vincent Trocheck and J.T. Miller, Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin and New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes. He's not likely to penalty kill a ton, but he has shown he can play with elite players.

Nick Schmaltz, C/W, Utah Mammoth

2025-26 season: 41 GP, 14 G, 22 A, 36 PTS, 19:35 TOI

If not for an eight-game drought around Thanksgiving without a point, Schmaltz's name might have more widely made the all-snub lists. Schmaltz's hot start featured 22 points in Utah's first 19 games. His 160 all-situations points since 2023-24 is right in line with Olympians Vincent Trocheck (160) and Brock Nelson (155) in that same span of time. He's the fourth-most utilized penalty killing forward on the sixth best unit in the NHL.

Jackson LaCombe, D, Anaheim Ducks

2025-26 season: 41 GP, 6 G, 17 A, 23 PTS, 24:59

Adam Fox is probably the first call if a defenseman gets hurt. He's the fourth-highest-scoring American defenseman in all situations and at five-on-five since the start of the 2023-24 season. He is the best overall defenseman on one of the best defending teams in the NHL this season. 

There are at least two other American defensemen with similar cases — 22-year-old Luke Hughes of New Jersey and Washington Capitals veteran defenseman John Carlson (turning 36 this month). The Americans have an overwhelming amount of puck-moving and power play quarterback talent, so it's understandable they might want a different look.

So why not LaCombe? He's taken on the biggest minutes in Anaheim this season and second most at five-on-five. His metrics are generally above water, though he is minus-five in five-on-five goals this season. LaCombe is being tasked with playing absolutely massive minutes in all situations on a defensively deficient Anaheim team. Knowing he can handle that kind of workload while still being able to contribute across the board is worth at least an honorable mention.