With the final roster deadline for the 2026 Winter Olympics looming, Team USA hockey fans are buzzing—and not all for the reasons they’d hoped. The United States men’s national team is set to finalize its 25-man squad by December 31, and one name is conspicuously missing from the conversation: John Carlson. The Washington Capitals’ veteran defenseman, a mainstay in American hockey circles and a hero from past international tournaments, appears all but certain to be left off the Olympic team headed for Milan and Cortina, Italy, this coming February.
For months, speculation swirled around Carlson’s Olympic hopes. But with just days remaining before the roster submission deadline, the writing’s on the wall. According to multiple reports, including NHL.com’s Tom Gulitti, Carlson has not participated in the mandatory pre-Olympic drug testing that all Team USA candidates have undergone over the past several months. This omission, in the world of Olympic preparation, is a virtual guarantee that Carlson will not be making the trip to Italy.
It’s not just the absence from drug testing that signals his exclusion. Carlson, 35, was also left off the roster for the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament held in February 2025—a key opportunity for Team USA coaches to evaluate players in high-level international competition. He was similarly absent from the 44-player orientation camp in Plymouth, Michigan, back in August, where 16 American-born defensemen were in attendance. Despite his sterling resume, Carlson has repeatedly found himself on the outside looking in.
His omission is all the more surprising given his current form. Through 33 games this NHL season, Carlson has racked up eight goals and 21 assists for a total of 29 points—numbers that put him third among all American-born defensemen, trailing only Zach Werenski and Lane Hutson. He’s tied with Jake Sanderson for third in goals, and his 22:39 average ice time per game underscores his role as the Capitals’ workhorse. Carlson has consistently played in all situations for Washington, from the power play to the penalty kill, and his on-ice metrics are nothing short of impressive. With him on the ice at five-on-five, the Capitals have controlled 57.3 percent of shot attempts, 54 percent of expected goals, 54.4 percent of scoring chances, and 52 percent of high-danger opportunities.
For those who value experience, Carlson’s credentials are hard to match. He’s a veteran of the 2014 Sochi Olympics, where he played six games and notched a goal and an assist. At the junior level, Carlson’s heroics are the stuff of legend. Who can forget his overtime winner against Canada in the 2010 World Juniors final, a gold medal clincher in one of the most dramatic games in tournament history? That goal not only sealed a rare U.S. triumph on Canadian soil but also cemented Carlson’s reputation as a clutch performer on the international stage.
His career numbers back up the notion that he’s among the elite. Carlson is the active scoring leader among American defensemen, with 754 career NHL points (164 goals, 590 assists). Earlier this season, he surpassed the great Mathieu Schneider to move into fifth place all-time among American blueliners—a remarkable achievement for any player, let alone one still performing at a high level in his mid-thirties.
So why the snub? The answer isn’t entirely clear, but the clues are there. Team USA general manager Bill Guerin and head coach Mike Sullivan have opted for a younger, perhaps more dynamic defensive corps. The projected depth chart, as reported by The Athletic’s Michael Russo, suggests Team USA will bring eight defensemen to Milan, all of whom participated in the orientation camp or the 4 Nations Face-Off. The selection process, overseen by USA Hockey, has been meticulous—emphasizing not just current form, but also chemistry, versatility, and long-term planning for the tournament’s unique demands.
Carlson’s exclusion has not gone unnoticed. Former Capitals and Team USA teammate TJ Oshie took to social media to voice his frustration, tweeting, “I think this is a mistake. 74 would be on my roster in Milan no question. Also, doesn’t he have a gold medal OT goal… against Canada in World Juniors…” Oshie’s sentiments echo those of many fans and analysts who see Carlson’s blend of skill and experience as invaluable for a team with gold medal aspirations.
Yet, despite the outcry, Team USA’s decision-makers appear resolute. The pre-Olympic process has been rigorous, involving several stages of evaluation—culminating in the recent rounds of drug testing, which Carlson did not participate in. As Tom Gulitti put it, “If you were wondering (I was), John Carlson has not been part of the pre-Olympic drug testing that candidates for the teams have been subject to, so would seem he is not under consideration for the U.S. roster. Olympic rosters are due to be submitted Dec. 31.”
It’s a tough pill to swallow for Carlson, who once described the chance to play in the Olympics as “a dream.” Back in 2013, ahead of his Sochi appearance, he told reporters, “I can’t make those decisions.” Now, more than a decade later, that dream appears to have run its course—at least as far as the 2026 Games are concerned.
For Team USA, the focus now shifts to the future. With a new generation of defensemen stepping up, the Americans are aiming to build a squad capable of competing with the world’s best. The likes of Werenski, Hutson, and Sanderson bring youth and flair, while established stars like Adam Fox, Quinn Hughes, and Charlie McAvoy offer poise and pedigree. The omission of a veteran like Carlson is a gamble—one that could pay off with a dynamic, fast-paced team, or one that might leave the Americans wishing they had a steadying hand on the blue line when the pressure mounts.
As the December 31 deadline approaches, the hockey world will be watching closely to see how Team USA’s roster shapes up. For John Carlson, it’s a bittersweet moment—another chapter in a storied career, but one that will be missing the Olympic stage this time around. The Capitals’ alternate captain will keep doing what he does best in the NHL, but for now, the stars and stripes will have to go without one of their most decorated defenders.
With the Olympic roster soon to be locked in, all eyes turn to Milan and Cortina, where Team USA’s new-look defense will be put to the ultimate test. Whether or not the gamble pays off, one thing’s for sure: the debate over Carlson’s omission won’t die down anytime soon.
