Team USA might need a goaltender with an established legacy, the Rangers have the perfect one

With the 2025 calendar year coming to an end, all eyes are starting to look toward the Olympic Games in February. The dimensions of the hockey rinks in Milan have started to be confirmed, and amidst the back-and-forth scuffle between NHL players and the Olympic Committee, it will be a best-on-best tournament for the first time since 2014.

Team USA has not made any strides toward releasing its full and final roster, and there is a big question mark at the goaltender position. As they are allowed three goalies on the final roster, Mark Helleybuck, Jake Oettinger, and Jeremy Swayman look like the front-runners for those spots.

But an interesting conversation has to be made about an aging goaltender who was a part of the 2014 Games, and is still holding his own as he approaches the age of 40. Turns out, he is the Rangers' backup goaltender, and he has been putting on a masterful performance all season.

Should Jonathan Quick get a chance on the final roster?

Quick for Olympics

Following the Four Nations face-off last season, which was really a teaser for these Olympic Games, it is clear that each of the NHL players lucky enough to play in this tournament is treating it like the Stanley Cup Final. There will not be half-checks or holding back on the throttle, as these Olympics might be even more competitive than last season's tournament.

Team USA was not able to beat Team Canada in the grand finale, partly due to Helleybuck's inability to beat St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington. The USA squad will definitely need Helleybuck once again to cruise through the competition, but he has been hurt for a good chunk of this season and is currently on the Injured Reserve list. Swayman and Oettinger are both at the top of their game with Boston and Dallas, respectively, but Quick could be a solid choice if the Americans make it to the finals.

As a two-time Stanley Cup Champion, including a Conn Smythe under his belt, Quick has spent his entire career as a clutch goalie. Now, at nearly 40 years old, he is holding his own with the Rangers as Igor Shesterkin's backup. He has a respectable record of 3-3-1, with a Goals Against Average of 1.86 and a .937 save percentage.

Final piece of Hall-of-Fame legacy?

There already is a valid argument to be made that whenever Quick hangs up the glove and blocker for good, he will be a first-ballot Hall-of-Famer. But if he can get one more chance to prove himself on an International level, and do it in the twilight of his career, it could be the defining moment in his legacy.

After all of his prior accomplishments, a Gold Medal with his home country might be his most prized possession.