New Jersey Devils forward Jack Hughes has joined Team USA in Milan for the 2026 Winter Olympics, aiming to help his country secure its first hockey gold medal since 1980. While notable competitors like Nico Hischier’s Switzerland and Jesper Bratt and Jacob Markstrom’s Sweden will challenge the field, the main contest for the top prize is expected to be between the United States and Canada.
Group Stage Prepares Teams for an Intense Knockout Round
The United States and Canada lead their respective groups and are projected to win those groups comfortably, earning byes directly into the quarterfinals. Before reaching the medal rounds, the U.S. team must navigate three preliminary games, two of which are relatively low-pressure matchups. These early matches serve as opportunities for Team USA to fine-tune their chemistry and experiment with line combinations to identify the strongest lineup.
Initial Lineup Places Hughes on the Wing, Outside the Top Six
One notable aspect of the early roster is Jack Hughes’s positioning. Although he normally excels as a center, Hughes is being used on the wing—a position where his performance this season has been inconsistent. Previously, during the 4 Nations Face-Off, Hughes played wing but within the top six forwards. The initial Olympic lineup released on February 9 shows Hughes starting outside the top six, indicating he has been assigned one of the bottom-six forward roles.
Current Line Combinations Show Hughes Among Bottom-Six Forwards
According to a report from Elliotte Friedman, Hughes is lining up with Colorado Avalanche’s Brock Nelson and New York Rangers’ J.T. Miller, creating a unique trio of centers sharing one line. Additionally, Vincent Trocheck is part of the extended roster, as the Olympics allow teams to dress a 13th forward. This means four centers are distributed across the lower forward lines. This setup suggests Hughes is competing primarily for a depth role at the start of the tournament.
This is what @Sportsnetkyle saw at Team USA practiceTkachuk/Eichel/TkachukGuentzel/Matthews/BoldyConnor/Larkin/ThompsonMiller/Nelson/HughesTrocheck some rotating with NelsonKellerHughes/McAvoySlavin/FaberSanderson/WerenskiLaCombe/HanifinHellebuyck in own net pic.twitter.com/3RnTxD5KD5 — Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) February 9, 2026
Hughes’ Recent Form and Potential for Lineup Movement
Since returning from a hand injury sustained in November, Hughes has shown flashes of his skill, scoring two goals since mid-December. While his current placement on the fourth line matches his ice time since recovery, there is optimism that he may regain full health and form during the Olympics. If Hughes reaches the level of play he demonstrated earlier in the season, he could move up the lineup, potentially replacing Matthew Boldy in the top six forwards as the tournament progresses.
Implications for Team USA’s Medal Chances and Hughes’ Role
Jack Hughes’ position as a bottom-six forward initially may reflect caution as coaches balance his recovery with team chemistry ahead of critical knockout games. His ability to rebound and elevate his play could prove important for Team USA’s bid for gold against powerhouse rivals like Canada. As the competition intensifies, adjustments to the lineup are expected, and Hughes’ role could expand, impacting Team USA’s offensive depth and overall strength moving forward in Milan.
This is what @Sportsnetkyle saw at Team USA practice
Tkachuk/Eichel/Tkachuk
Guentzel/Matthews/Boldy
Connor/Larkin/Thompson
Miller/Nelson/Hughes
Trocheck some rotating with Nelson
KellerHughes/McAvoy
Slavin/Faber
Sanderson/Werenski
LaCombe/HanifinHellebuyck in own net pic.twitter.com/3RnTxD5KD5
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) February 9, 2026
