US Olympic Hockey Team 2022: Final Odds, Predictions for Men's Squad

The United States men's ice hockey team doesn't have its best possible roster assembled for the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. But that's nothing new for the Americans.

For the second straight Winter Olympics, the NHL didn't send any players. This time, the decision was made because the league was dealing with COVID-19 issues earlier in the season, and it will now be using February to hold the postponed games.

So if the U.S. men are going to win their first medal since the 2010 Winter Olympics, they will have to do so with a team of mostly young, inexperienced players. Of the 23 players on Team USA's roster, 15 are college players. Most of the others are playing in Europe, including forward Brian O'Neill, the lone returning Olympian from the 2018 team.

The U.S. will play its first game of the preliminary round Thursday, when it faces China at 8:10 a.m. ET.

Here's everything else you need to know about Team USA prior to its first game of the 2022 Winter Olympics.

Russian Olympic Committee: +150 (bet $100 to win $150)

Finland: +450

Sweden: +550

Canada: +700

Czech Republic: +900

Switzerland: +1400

United States: +1600

Germany: +2000

Slovakia: +5000

Latvia: +10000

Denmark: +10000

China: +70000

Via DraftKings Sportsbook.

Goaltenders

Drew Commesso, Boston University (NCAA)

Strauss Mann, Skelleftea AIK (SHL)

Pat Nagle, Lehigh Valley Phantoms (AHL)

               

Forwards

Nick Abruzzese, Harvard University (NCAA)

Kenny Agostino, Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)

Matty Beniers, University of Michigan (NCAA)

Brendan Brisson, University of Michigan (NCAA)

Noah Cates, University of Minnesota Duluth (NCAA)

Sean Farrell, Harvard University (NCAA)

Sam Hentges, St. Cloud State University (NCAA)

Matthew Knies, University of Minnesota (NCAA)

Marc McLaughlin, Boston College (NCAA)

Ben Meyers, University of Minnesota (NCAA)

Andy Miele, Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)

Brian O'Neill, Jokerit (KHL)

Nick Shore, Sibir Novosibirsk (KHL)

Nathan Smith, Minnesota State Mankato (NCAA)

                

Defensemen

Brian Cooper, IK Oskarshamn (SHL)

Brock Faber, University of Minnesota (NCAA)

Drew Helleson, Boston College (NCAA)

Steven Kampfer, Ak Bars Kazan (KHL)

Aaron Ness, Providence Bruins (AHL)

Jake Sanderson, University of North Dakota (NCAA)

Nick Perbix, St. Cloud State University (NCAA)

David Warsofsky, ERC Ingolstadt (DEL)

The United States is likely going to open Olympic play with a win Thursday. China is one of the weaker teams in this year's field, so the Americans have a great opportunity to start the 2022 Winter Games on the right note. But things will get much tougher.

In the preliminary round, the U.S. will also face Canada and Germany. Like the Americans, the Canadians are missing a lot of their best players because they are in the NHL. However, Canada is still expected to be a medal contender. As for the Germany matchup, that could be another game that the United States will win, but it should be a competitive contest. The Germans made a surprising run to the silver medal in 2018.

There's enough talent on the U.S. roster for the team to contend for a medal. The Americans may be a bit of a long shot to win the gold, but they could come away with a silver or bronze if they get on a roll in Beijing, with the youngsters playing up to their potential.

Although the United States may not have any NHL players, it has some of the league's possible future stars on its team.

Matty Beniers, a forward from the University of Michigan, was picked by the Seattle Kraken with the No. 2 overall selection in the 2021 NHL draft. Jake Sanderson, a defenseman from the University of North Dakota, was taken by the Ottawa Senators with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2020 NHL draft.

As Mike Brehm of USA Today noted, the average age of the Team USA roster is 25.1. It was 29.1 during the 2018 Winter Games, so the Americans are clearly hoping that youthful exuberance leads to a better result, as they placed seventh at the Pyeongchang Games.

However, it may be tough for the U.S. to get on the medal stand. The Russian Olympic Committee has a strong roster that makes it the favorite, while Finland and Sweden are also likely to contend for the gold.

Expect the U.S. to get off to a strong start, but it won't carry that momentum into the rest of the Winter Games. And because of that, it won't end its medal drought this year.

The United States will place better than it did in 2018, but it is likely going to end up around fifth or sixth while the stronger teams battle it out for the medals. Still, it will be a solid showing for the Americans given the circumstances surrounding their roster.

Prediction: United States places fifth.

                 

---

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL).

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ/WV/PA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), or call or text the TN REDLINE: 800-889-9789 (TN).

21+. NJ/PA/WV/IN/IA/CO/IL/TN only. In partnership with Meadows Racetrack & Casino. Eligibility restrictions apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for details.