Which New York Rangers could make the Olympics? Good bets, maybes and outside shots

Last summer, two New York Rangers were among the first six players announced for rosters competing at the 4 Nations Face-Off: Sweden's Mika Zibanejad and Adam Fox from the U.S.
Ahead of the upcoming Olympics, the 12 competing men's hockey countries announced their first six selections Monday. No Rangers made the cut, a reflection of many of the team's top players' difficult 2024-25 seasons. Russia is also not in the field due to the country's invasion of Ukraine, which means Artemi Panarin and Igor Shesterkin won't be 2026 Olympians. Both would have had a case for a first-six selection had Russia been in the tournament.
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Despite not being in the initial rollout, several Rangers players still have a chance to make the Olympics. Here's a tiered list of where they stand.
Zibanejad had a difficult first half of the 2024-25 season, but still finished with 20 goals and 62 points. The Rangers need more given his $8.5 million cap hit, but he still is one of the country's best 14 forwards. He played at the most recent World Championships, was an alternate captain and was second on his team with five goals. The Swedes captured a bronze medal.
U.S. general manager Bill Guerin spoke Monday about the need for players who can play in tight games. Miller fits that mold. Over the past four seasons, most of which he spent with the Vancouver Canucks, he has the third-most NHL points by an American (354), behind only Auston Matthews and Matthew Tkachuk. He failed to log a point at 4 Nations but still contributed to one of the tournament's more memorable moments by fighting Colton Parayko in the first minute of the U.S.-Canada game.
Like his childhood friend Miller, Trocheck didn't have any points at 4 Nations. He's less likely to make the U.S. team than Miller, but still has a good chance because of his ability to play on the penalty kill and the fact that he's a right shot. He'll need to start the NHL season well, however, to solidify his spot.
The U.S. is stacked on defense, which makes Fox's road to the Olympics tougher than it would've been a year ago. Quinn Hughes and Charlie McAvoy are already on the team, and Jaccob Slavin, Brock Faber, Zach Werenski and Jake Sanderson are likely ahead of Fox in the pecking order after 4 Nations.
On paper, Fox has one of the eight best resumes of U.S. defensemen, but Brady Tkachuk replacing him in the First Six reflects how Guerin felt about his past year and performance at 4 Nations.
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'His season wasn't up to his standards, but he's very much in the mix,' Guerin said. 'This is just a list we had to come out with, and I just felt more comfortable with Brady on it this time around.'
With multiple Finnish defensemen hurt, Vaakanainen got a 4 Nations nod. Miro Heiskanen and Esa Lindell are already on the team, and Niko Mikkola, Olli Määttä and Rasmus Ristolainen are good bets to go, too. Vaakanainen will be in the mix with the likes of Henri Jokiharju, Juuso Välimäki and other professional players, including ones overseas. Former NHLer Mikko Lehtonen, for example, was Finland's leading scorer among defensemen at Worlds and captained the team. He now plays in Switzerland, so he wasn't eligible for 4 Nations — an NHL-run tournament — but will be for the Olympics.
The 20-year-old Sýkora, a 2022 second-round pick, has yet to play an NHL game, but he represented Slovakia at the recent World Championships. Only eight Slovakian-born players appeared in the NHL this past season, so the country will have to bring players from other professional leagues, including the AHL. An Olympic selection would provide good experience for the young forward.
The Athletic's Michael Russo, who covered the U.S. team at 4 Nations, wrote recently that Miller could be one of the players Guerin looks to if he opts against bringing Fox or Noah Hanifin. Miller has shown flashes of strong play, but he'd need a consistent, strong start to the season — whether with the Rangers or another team — to have a real chance.
Lafrenière had some 4 Nations buzz going into the 2024-25 season, but that faded during a disappointing year. If he gets off to a hot start, perhaps he can put himself back on the radar. Unfortunately for him, the Canadian forward group is one of the toughest to crack in the world.
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Pärssinen probably isn't in the mix if Finland is fully healthy, but he could perhaps sneak in if there are injuries and he establishes himself as a full-time NHLer. The 24-year-old acquitted himself nicely at Worlds with five points in eight games, tied for fourth on the team.
(Top photo of Mika Zibanejad and J.T. Miller: Dennis Schneidler / Imagn Images)

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