Adam Fox’s Olympic Snub Raises Trade Questions for the Rangers

Adam Fox being left off Team USA’s Olympic roster was already puzzling. But the fact that he didn’t make the team with several of “his guys” in a position to go to bat for him and ensure he was on the roster hints that there might be future trouble in the relationship between Fox and the New York Rangers. he was snubbed and that can’t feel good about how your NHL organization sees you.

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Mike Futa and Elliotte Friedman talked about Team USA, and Mike Sullivan, as head coach, didn’t make sure his top defenseman in New York was on the roster. Friedman cited a fallout between Steve Yzerman and Martin St. Louis in Tampa Bay when a similar thing was done and St. Louis wound up being traded after the Olympic break. Friedman noted that Sullivan can’t be blind to the fact that this could have long-reaching consequences.

“I don’t know that to be the base… I thought Adam Fox did a great job of taking the high road. I don’t think he was over the line or said anything bad.. but I don’t think we know yet what the full consequence of this can be or will be.”

Sullivan was asked about if he would have to smooth things over. He noted that “Adam and I have had a number of conversations about this. I will that conversation between Adam and I.” He added, “What I will tell you is is that in all these teams that are being picked are the best of the best and there’s so many good players and there are very very difficult decisions that have to be made, and it is a collaborative effort on everybody’s part, and that’s just the reality of the circumstances.”

Why Did The Rangers Not Go To Bat for Fox?

The biggest takeaway isn’t just that Fox was snubbed — it’s who didn’t seem to go to bat for him. Team USA’s coaching staff and management group is loaded with Rangers ties. Mike Sullivan coaches Fox in New York and will coach Team Canada. David Quinn is on the Rangers’ bench. Chris Drury is Fox’s NHL general manager and part of the Olympic decision-making group. Yet when the final roster came down, Fox was out… while teammates J.T. Miller and Vincent Trocheck were in. It would be easy to argue that Fox was more deserving than both players.

It’s going to be a tough sell to your best defenseman that he wasn’t worth fighting for.

Fox is a Norris Trophy winner, a perennial elite play-driver, and someone Team USA trusted at the 4 Nations Face-Off. If there was ever a moment for organizational muscle to matter, this was it. Either those voices pushed hard and got overruled — or they didn’t push hard enough. That’s unlikely to sit well with Fox because it means people were so adamant he not be on the team they pushed back on those who advocated for him, or his Rangers guys didn’t put up a fight.

Does this mean a Fox trade is imminent? No. But history shows Olympic snubs can linger. Martin St. Louis’ relationship with Tampa Bay never recovered after 2014.

Fox is professional. He’ll say the right things. But it’s hard to believe this won’t stick in the back of his mind. When your own people are in the room — and you’re still left out — that changes how you see the room

Next: Really? 2 Oilers Stars Didn’t Even Make Writer’s Olympic Snub List