Ex-Blackhawks star seemingly snubbed from Team USA's projected Olympic roster

USA Hockey isn't releasing the official 25-man Olympic roster until later this month, but projections already point to a core group of forwards and defensemen expected to anchor the team in Milan.

Patrick Kane, an Olympic icon, appears to be left off the final roster that will be released shortly.

Leading the forward group are big names like Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Brady Tkachuk of the Ottawa Senators, both poised to feature on top lines for the red, white, and blue.

They'll be joined by dynamic scorers such as Cole Caufield, Jason Robertson, Tage Thompson, and Dylan Larkin, all capable of driving play and lighting the lamp.

Team USA's projected roster via B/R Open Ice:

Defense looks deep as well, with puck movers like Quinn Hughes and steady studs such as Charlie McAvoy projecting to anchor the blue line. The Hockey Writers Goaltending will be a strength too, with names like Connor Hellebuyck and Jake Oettinger in the mix.

Still, at the center of many debates is Patrick Kane, one of the most decorated American hockey players ever. Fans and analysts alike know Kane for his three Stanley Cups with the Chicago Blackhawks and his creative scoring ability, but that legacy hasn't translated into a lock for the Olympic squad.

That absence isn't a knock on his career; it's a reflection of the U.S. depth and a coaching staff looking for younger legs and a specific balance on both ends of the ice.

With less than three weeks to go before the deadline, Team USA's projected roster is more than competitive, even without Kane's name beside leaders like Matthews and Tkachuk.