Thirty-four years ago, in the summer before the 1988 U.S. Olympic hockey team was selected, I was talking to then NHL scout David McNab about who was and wasn't going to make coach Dave Peterson's U.S. squad.

"I don't know who is going to make it," said McNab who is an executive with the Anaheim Ducks today. "But there is always the best player who doesn't make it, and that's who we are going to talk about."

I've never forgotten that quote because it sums up the challenge of selecting an Olympic team. Two weeks after you pick the team, someone not on the team is playing so well that fans wonder what you were thinking. It's difficult to pick an All-Star team because there are many factors to consider.

We are about 10 months from USA Hockey naming the 2022 U.S roster. We don't know the coach or a general manager, and both of those selections will influence who makes the squad. But that won't stop me from doing my first projection for the 2022 team:

First line: Johnny Gaudreau, Auston Matthews and Brock Boeser

Second line: Alex DeBrincat, Jack Eichel and Patrick Kane

Third line: Anders Lee, Vince Trocheck and Blake Wheeler

Fourth line: Matthew Tkachuk, Dylan Larkin and TJ Oshie

13th and 14th forwards: J.T. Miller and Kyle Connor

Left defense: Jaccob Slaven, Zach Werenski, Quinn Hughes and Torey Krug:

Right defense: Seth Jones, Charlie McAvoy, John Carlson and Jeff Petry

Goalies: Connor Hellebuyck, John Gibson and Cal Peterson

Young players with best shots to win a spot: Jack Hughes, Adam Fox, Brady Tkachuk, Joel Farabee and Jordan Greenway.

Other key players in the mix: Joe Pavelski, Jake Guentzel, Ryan Suter, Max Pacioretty, Ryan McDonagh, Dustin Brown, Justin Faulk, Kevin Hayes and Alex Tuch

Discussion
Forwards: Selectors will certainly be influenced by the fact Kane and DeBrincat play together. Trocheck’s and Miller’s 57% faceoff percentage gives them an advantage. Oshie’s shootout history is also a plus for him. Would guess the selectors will be looking to find room for Pavelski who has historically played well for USA

Defensemen: With so many potential power play point men on the team, the Americans might turn to Suter and/or McDonagh to shore up the defensive play. If Fox continues to improve, he’s definitely in the hunt.

Goalie:The first two goalies are all but settled, but No. 3 is a wide open race.

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