![\"United](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/TMC-Z-USAice948-1.jpg\")
United States\u2019 Brady Tkachuk, left, celebrates with teammate and brother Matthew Tkachuk after scoring a goal against Latvia at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026. (AP Photo\/Carolyn Kaster)<\/p>\nJohn LeClair\u2019s voice rose about 10 decibels when the interviewer asked this loaded question: \u201cDoes the 2026 USA Olympic men\u2019s hockey team have a chance against favored Canada in a possible gold medal game?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHave a chance?\u201d boomed a clearly incredulous LeClair, the former Flyer three-time 50-goal-scorer who competed for the Americans in the 1998 Winter Olympics at Nagano, Japan, and again at Salt Lake City in 2002.<\/p>\n
\u201cDoes the USA have a chance, are you kidding me?\u201d LeClair continued during the telephone interview. \u201cIs that what you\u2019re saying? You make it sound like they\u2019re lucky to be there. Yes, I do think Canada and the U.S. are the top two teams there. But I was very impressed with the U.S. [in a 5-1 win over Latvia on Thursday].\u201d<\/p>\n
Even though Canada is heavily favored to win its third straight gold medal at the Games in Milano Cortina, Italy, LeClair believes the betting odds should only be about even should the two hockey superpowers meet in the deciding game.<\/p>\n
While Canada might have superstars such as Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar, it\u2019s LeClair\u2019s belief the Americans have the right stuff to win their first gold since 1980 at Lake Placid.<\/p>\n
The United States can counter with Toronto superstar Austen Matthews, Los Angeles sniper Jack Eichel, the Tkachuk brothers (Matthew, Brady) and possible best NHL defenseman Zach Werenski.\u201cAll four lines, all six \u2018D,\u2019 I thought everyone played well [against Latvia],\u201d said LeClair, a Vermont native. \u201cI know the competition wasn\u2019t Canada, obviously, but I think they played well.<\/p>\n
United States\u2019 Brady Tkachuk, left, celebrates with teammate and brother Matthew Tkachuk after scoring a goal against Latvia at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026. (AP Photo\/Carolyn Kaster)<\/p>\n
\u201cCanada\u2019s got a good team, we all know that,\u201d LeClair said. \u201cBut the odds [vs. USA] should only be about 50-50 in my eyes.\u201d<\/p>\n
LeClair is a special adviser to the Flyers and he keeps his eyes on what\u2019s happening throughout their system. That includes the team\u2019s three current Olympians: Defenseman Travis Sanheim (Canada), goaltender Dan Vladar (Czechia) and defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen (Finland).<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat jumps off the page is Travis\u2019 speed,\u201d LeClair said of Sanheim. \u201cHe skates extremely well. Usually in a competition like the Olympics, skating becomes a priority. He\u2019ll be a big bonus back there. I think they\u2019re going to rely on him at some point in this tournament.\u201d<\/p>\n
Vladar has probably been the Flyers\u2019 MVP through the first two-thirds of the season. He\u2019s taken over the position in Philadelphia and not many saw that move coming.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s no question he\u2019s been our MVP,\u201d LeClair said. \u201cWithout \u2018Vlady\u2019 we would be in a much worse place now. He\u2019s been tremendous. He\u2019s done everything we\u2019ve asked and more. Some nights he keeps us in games when we\u2019re getting outshot two-to-one. He\u2019s been remarkable. The guy gives us a chance to win every night.\u201d<\/p>\n
Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet is serving as an assistant on Canada head coach Jon Cooper\u2019s crew and the chance to work with Sanheim in a best-on-best situation should prove invaluable.<\/p>\n
\u201cI believe Toc\u2019s and Sanheim\u2019s relationship will be nothing but stronger for this, going through this together,\u201d LeClair said. \u201cYou know, going through moments like this through your career builds a huge bond.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Flyers got off to fast start this season but cooled considerably before the Olympic break. It will take quite a stretch drive to end their five-year playoff drought.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve shown in the first half we can be a top-tier team, a playoff team,\u201d LeClair said. \u201cI think we\u2019re going to need a lot of help, a lot of guys to stay healthy.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s going to be interesting to see how some guys react to the time off. Not everyone comes back from a break the same way. Hopefully our guys come back and pick up where they left off, get a push and we make the playoffs.\u201d<\/p>\n
LeClair believes Tocchet has the Flyers headed in the right direction despite some bumps along the road. After three years under former coach John Tortorella, it was time for a change but \u2018Torts\u2019 did some good work and Tocchet is reaping the benefits of that.<\/p>\n
\u201cHaving a different voice than \u2018Torts,\u2019 \u2013 he did do a great job of instilling a lot of things in these guys,\u201d said LeClair, a former Stanley Cup winner with the 1993 Montreal Canadiens, the last time a team from Canada won the championship. \u201cBut I think it was time for a new voice.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the way Toc is approaching each game as far as preparation, it\u2019s given these guys a chance to succeed and excel. I think it\u2019s a big reason why we had such a great start. That\u2019s why we\u2019re still in the hunt.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wayne Fish is a freelance writer. Follow his coverage at\u00a0www.flyingfishhockey.com<\/p>\n
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