Team USA ‘can already sense’ chemistry at 2026 Olympics

“We had a little bit of success last year, and hopefully we can pick up where that left off.”

Hughes and Brock Faber are a defense pair for the Minnesota Wild, and Wild coach John Hynes is a U.S. assistant. But they didn’t skate together Monday. Hughes skated with McAvoy, and Faber was with Jaccob Slavin, his partner at 4 Nations.

“I think that definitely helps,” Slavin said. “Played solid together last year, and so much confidence going into it. Don’t have to feel each other out as much this year.”

The United States only has two right-handed shots on defense, so a left-handed shot has to move to the right side.

It was Werenski on Monday. He started out on the left side at 4 Nations and usually plays the left for the Columbus Blue Jackets. But during 4 Nations, he moved to the right to play with Jake Sanderson, and he’s doing it again.

At least it won’t be the first time, and it’s easier from a systems standpoint. Werenski said at 4 Nations, Sullivan’s system was so different than what he was used to that he found himself thinking a lot on the ice early in the tournament. Already, it’s easier.

“I’m just familiar with how he wants us to play,” Werenski said. “All the terms he’s using, I’m familiar with, which I think helps a lot individually. There’s less thinking out there. It’s just playing hockey and understanding where you have to be.”

The most important effect of 4 Nations might be the pride in the players, though.

“I really just think what I saw at the 4 Nations has just carried on to this, how proud we are all to wear the red, white and blue,” Matthew Tkachuk said. “… That hasn’t changed at all for this. It’s maybe even taken a step up, so it’s been great.”