Adam Fox wasn’t the only snub: Why leaving Jason Robertson off Team USA is a golden mistake

Team USA officially released their roster today, and it is a stacked lineup of NHL all-stars, big-time goalies, and elite defensive talent. Team USA general manager Bill Guerin was essentially tasked with assembling a roster capable of defeating Team Canada in the 2026 Winter Olympics. And on the surface, it looks like he’s done that. We already know that New York Rangers' star defender isn't going to the Olympics, but that wasn't the only questionable decision made by team brass.

One of the biggest and most egregious omission from this roster is Dallas Stars superstar Jason Robertson. This blunder is devoid of logic and reason. And when Team USA loses a one-goal game to Canada in the gold medal match, everyone will be pointing at this decision.

I hope I’m wrong and Team USA emerges from these Olympics victorious, donning gold medals around their necks as the Star-Spangled Banner plays in Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena. But I would love to know in what world leaving off the highest-scoring American-born player of the past several seasons is considered a good strategy for building a team specifically tasked with outscoring Team Canada — a team that boasts most of the NHL’s top scorers over the last decade

Just a little peek into the stats: ever since the NHL rebounded from the pandemic and the shortened, abridged season, Jason Robertson has played in 361 games and scored 175 goals and 221 assists for a total of 396 points — an average well over a point per game. He’s an elite player who has logged big minutes for the Dallas Stars almost from the moment he joined the team.

He’s also in the middle of a great season right now, with 48 points in 41 games. He checks every box as a player. Yes, you heard me correctly — he checks every box.

The perception that Robertson is a soft player who doesn’t play a two-way game is simply not reality, and I have no clue where that ignorant take even comes from. You don’t need to take my word for it — just look at the numbers. He has a +109 rating, he ranks in the 84th percentile in defensive-zone coverage in 2025–26 data (well above the NHL average), and he’s doing all of this while consistently playing against the best teams in the league, such as the Colorado Avalanche, Minnesota Wild, Edmonton Oilers, and Vegas Golden Knights.

So, what gives? What is the real reason this man is not on the roster? Because when you use numbers, the eye test, the quality of competition, the consistency of his game, and the competitiveness of his team, you have to dig deeper to understand why Bill Guerin made this decision.

When names like J.T. Miller and Brock Nelson are making this team over Jason Robertson, you can only assume the decision-making is based on preference, not performance. On philosophy. On that classic USA Hockey tradition of overthinking itself into a corner.

Robertson wasn’t just left off the Olympic roster — he was left off the 4 Nations Face-Off roster last year too. That’s not a coincidence. That’s a pattern.

This feels like a decision made months ago, long before the season started, long before Robertson once again proved he’s one of the most reliable American point producers in the sport. USA Hockey loves its guys. Its familiar guys. It's safe guys. Its “play the right way” guys.

Robertson, a Filipino American through his mother, Mercedes—born in Manila—just goes out and produces. Apparently, that’s not nearly as valuable as whatever vague, vibes‑based criteria Team USA is cooking with.

Jason Robertson didn’t make Team USA because of roster politics, outdated thinking, and a rigid commitment to roles over results. And it makes no sense, because he’s exactly the type of player who swings a best-on-best game — the kind of player who scores the goal that sends you to the gold medal match.

If Team USA falls short in Milan, the conversation won’t start with goaltending or chemistry or officiating. It’ll start with this decision.

And it should.