Habs stars Cole Caufield, Lane Hutson fail to make U.S. Olympic hockey roster

TSN 690 Radio host Sean Campbell speaks about why Habs foward Cole Caufield and d-man Lane Hutson failed to make Team U.S.A.'s Olympic roster.

Two of the Montreal Canadiens’ brightest stars are set to get an extended rest during the Milan-Cortina Olympics in February.

Forward Cole Caufield and current Calder Trophy holder for top rookie defenceman Lane Hutson did not make the U.S. roster.

Hockey USA finalized its roster on Friday and, as with the 4 Nations Face Off roster from last year, neither the 21-year-old, Holland, Michigan native nor the diminutive Mosinee, Wisconsin, winger made the team.

Caufield is sitting on a 20-goal, 20-assist, plus-10 season in 40 games played, on pace for his first 40-goal season in the NHL.

The point-per-game bleu-blanc-rouge no. 13 is fifth among American goal scorers but won’t face linemates Nick Suzuki (Canada), Alexandre Texier (France) or Juraj Slafkovsky (Slovakia), who both made their country’s respective Olympic rosters.

• READ MORE: Habs captain Nick Suzuki named to Team Canada for Milan-Cortina Olympics

With 40 points (six goals, 34 assists), Hutson is the top points man for American defenders, tied with Zach Werenski, who made the team.

“They’ve both made a case for themselves,” said TSN 690 Radio host Sean Campbell. “I think if you look from the 4 Nations, Nick Suzuki has helped Lane Hutson and Cole Caufield get to that next level, and they’ve helped themselves.”

U.S. general manager Bill Guerin thought differently, however, adding newly minted Minnesota Wild star Quinn Hughes (who was injured during the 4 Nations Face-off) and Florida Panthers Seth Jones to the defensive core and scratched former Norris trophy winner Adam Fox of the New York Rangers.

“It was incredibly difficult for our management group to get to the final roster, and that’s a credit to so many in our country, including all those at the grassroots level who help make our sport so strong,” general manager Bill Guerin said. ”There’s nothing like the Olympics, and I know our players and staff will represent our country well and work hard to achieve our ultimate goal.”

The American lineup looks similar to the one that came runner-up to Canada at the 4 Nations.

• READ MORE: ‘It has to raise an alarm’: No Quebec players on Canada hockey roster for first time since 1952

Teams are allowed 25 players at the Olympics, up from 23 at the 4 Nations, and can dress 20 skaters — typically 13 forwards and seven defenceman, along with two goalies.

The first U.S. game is Feb. 12 against Latvia.

Finnish Habs continue to represent

Like in the 4-Nations tournament and many international tournies past, Finland opted for a Hab, choosing centre Oliver Kapanen, who will follow in the tradition of Saku Koivu, Joel Armia, Artturi Lehkonen and Jesperi Kotkaniemi, who all skated for Suomi.

Habs goalie Jakub Dobes is expected to make the roster when Czechia announces its team.

With files from The Canadian Press.