Team USA’s first Olympic lineup has one surprise scratch many didn't see coming

Team USA has made somewhat of a surprise scratch, deciding not to go with Utah Mammoth forward Clayton Keller today against Latvia.

Keller will not suit up in the Americans first game of the 2026 Olympics men's tournament, being decided by head coach Mike Sullivan to be sat for the opening game.

The scratching of Keller, while a surprise, is not an unexpected one as it was reported earlier in the week that Keller was expected to be scratched, having been an extra skater for the Americans in practice.

Also a scratch on defense is Anaheim Ducks defenseman Jackson Lacombe, both of whom will sit against Latvia.

Keller, 27, has 17 goals, 37 assists, & 54 points in 57 games this season for the Utah Mammoth.

Clayton Keller is being scratched is far from the first surprise on team USA with the construction of their roster.

Keller was scratched with a defensive forward in J.T. Miller on the fourth line. Miller has just 36 points in 48 games, while instead of Keller, Vincent Trocheck is the 13th forward.

Trocheck, who has 12 goals and 36 points, was a surprise name to the American roster. Both coached by USA head coach Mike Sullivan with the New York Rangers.

Another surprise was the omission of defenseman Adam Fox, one of the top d-men in the NHL, but struggled for the USA at the 4 Nations, as well as star youngster Lane Hutson.

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