Production has to mean something.
Jason Robertson has been one of the most prolific scorers in the NHL in recent years for the Dallas Stars. Sounds like a guy you'd want on Team USA for the Olympic hockey tournament, right?
Apparently not.
The U.S. Released its roster on Friday morning, and Robertson wasn't on it.
It feels like it has the potential to be a major mistake.
In a tournament where the best competitors will have immense firepower, the United States is lacking one of its best possible scorers. Robertson's 48 points so far this NHL season are the most of any player who was eligible for selection to the American roster.
This post on X sums it up quite well:
Imagine you’re tasked with picking the U.S. Olympic hockey team. Not knowing where to start, the first thing you may do is find the American player who has scored the most this season and in the past few seasons. Jason Robertson, great! Now we know who to leave off the team. Https://t.co/KbIXbjLbTV pic.twitter.com/sXom1TJEua
— zachc99053 (@zachc99053) January 2, 2026
Robertson's name was being cited by pretty much everyone who interacted with the U.S. Roster announcement on Friday morning.
It is hard to fathom his absence, with some pointing to the idea of having a gritty team winning out over having the most skill and talent on the ice.
Don’t be surprised if Team USA doesn’t get the Gold Medal Game. Jason Robertson is one of the top 20 players in the NHL and isn’t on the roster. USA Hockey still thinks it’s the 2000s where “grit and toughness” win where it’s speed and skill that wins. Https://t.co/nInPTqCqmV
— Kofi (@kofapps) January 2, 2026
One other comment wrote: "Genuinely don't know what Jason Robertson has to do."
Maybe there's still a path to the team through injury, but as of now, Robertson looks like he'll have to watch the Olympics from home.
He surely wasn't envisioning that, and the United States might regret this choice.
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