The fact that Adam Fox was left off Team USA’s Olympic roster was already a mystery. But the fact that he failed to position the team with some of “his guys” to work for him and ensure he was on the roster suggests that there could be problems in the relationship between Fox and the New York Rangers in the future. he was rejected and that can’t make you feel good about how your NHL organization views you.
Mike Futa and Elliotte Friedman talked about Team USA, and Mike Sullivan, as head coach, didn’t make sure his best defenseman was on the roster in New York. Friedman cited the fallout between Steve Yzerman and Martin St. Louis in Tampa Bay when something similar was done and St. Louis was traded after the Olympic break. Friedman noted that Sullivan should not be blind to the fact that this could have far-reaching consequences.
“I don’t know if this is the basis…I thought Adam Fox did a great job of taking the high road. I don’t think he crossed the line or said anything bad…but I don’t think we know yet what the full consequence of this could be or will be.”
Sullivan was asked if he should smooth things over. He noted, “Adam and I have had a number of conversations about this. I’ll have that conversation between Adam and I.” He added: “What I want to tell you is that all these teams that are picked are the best of the best and there are so many good players and there are very, very difficult decisions to be made. It’s a collective effort by everyone, and that’s just the reality of the circumstances.”
Why didn’t the Rangers fight for Fox?
The biggest takeaway isn’t just that Fox was rejected – it is WHO didn’t seem like it was going to work for him. Team USA’s coaching staff and management group are full of Rangers ties. Mike Sullivan coaches Fox in New York and will coach Team Canada. David Quinn is on the Rangers bench. Chris Drury is the NHL general manager at Fox and is part of the Olympic decision-making group. But when the final roster was announced, Fox was out…while teammates JT Miller and Vincent Trocheck were in. It would be easy to argue that Fox earned more than both players.
It’s going to be hard for your best defender, which he wasn’t worth fighting for.
Fox is a Norris Trophy winner, a perennial elite play driver and someone Team USA trusted during the 4 Nations Face-Off. If there was ever a moment when organizational muscle could matter, this was it. Either those voices pushed hard and were drowned out – or they didn’t push hard enough. This is unlikely to sit well with Fox, as it means people were so adamant he wasn’t in the team that they pushed back those who advocated for him, or that his Rangers guys didn’t put up a fight.
Does this mean a Fox transaction is imminent? No. But history shows that Olympic snubs can linger. Martin St. Louis’ relationship with Tampa Bay never recovered after 2014.
Vos is professional. He will say the right things. But it’s hard to believe this won’t linger in the back of his mind. When your own people are in the room – and you’re still left out – it changes the way you see the room
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