Why Kyle Connor isn't playing for Team USA at Olympics vs. Germany originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The United States didn't make any changes to its skaters between its first and second games at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.
They have mixed things up for game three, though, a Sunday clash with Germany. Kyle Connor sits, and Clayton Keller is in.
Connor, the 29-year old from the Winnipeg Jets, hasn't made a major impact so far.
There have been calls to get Keller some action, and the Utah Mammoth forward will get out there for the final group game.
MORE: Chloe Kim's silver medal has some controversy
Why isn't Kyle Connor playing today?
Connor is sitting for a multi-pronged reason.
One, he hasn't played particularly well, and the U.S. hasn't given him big ice time as he's worked to find how he fits in on a star-studded roster.
Two, it allows Keller to play. It makes sense to ensure the only forward who hadn't suited up yet does get that chance in group action before the games become win-or-go-home. The United States wouldn't want to be backed into a corner of needing Keller later and not having had him out on the ice at all yet.
MORE: Controversy and cursing with Canada curling
Connor has had a strong season with Winnipeg, putting up 64 points (25 goals, 39 assists) in 59 games.
Keller is a talented player from the Mammoth, though, too, and he's earned his chance.
It'll remain to be seen whether this holds as a change beyond Sunday or if it's a one-time thing.
But at the very least, it's a chance for Connor to catch his breath and for Keller to try and prove himself.
More Olympics news:
- This U.S. luge star was parodied on SNL
- Amber Glenn gets into music dispute during Olympic figure skating program
- Macklin Celebrini is chasing Hooley Smith's 1924 Olympics record
- U.S. Olympians get paid shockingly less than other countries for gold medals
- USA curling's Danny Casper doesn't let GBS health issue slow him down
- 5 U.S. women's hockey stars attended the same high school