Choosing LaCombe Over Hutson Was the Smart Decision by the USA

After injury issues have sidelined Florida Panthers defenseman Seth Jones for the Olympic games next month, of all exceptional options presented to the USA Olympic committee, ultimately it was the Anaheim Ducks $9 million defenseman Jackson LaCombe who was eventually selected to replace Jones, leaving the likes of Adam Fox, and notably Lane Hutson still off the team. However, despite lots of disagreement towards the decision, taking LaCombe was 100% the right decision.

Back when the rosters were announced a few weeks ago, Lane Hutson was probably the biggest snub aside from Jason Robertson, and following the news of Seth Jones’ injury, it looked like his time would come, but that hasn’t been the case. The Ducks star d-man Jackson LaCombe was the first to receive a phone call and was subsequently chosen to join the team in Milan, and with proper thought, it was never in doubt.

Replacing a guy like Seth Jones wouldn’t have been as easy as just choosing the next best guy like Fox or Hutson, and in reality, it seems as if Bill Guerin and his team have made the right decision by taking LaCombe, and not succumbing to the pressure. It has been reported that LaCombe’s size and physical ability as a defenseman was one of the sole reasons that he was selected as the fill in guy, and in the circumstances, it was a perfect choice.

With guys like Quinn Hughes and Brock Faber already on the team, there really isn’t a need for another puck moving defenseman like Hutson, and would be a waste of a roster spot when they could have chosen somebody who fits the position better. In this case, LaCombe still has great skating ability, he can move the puck well, but he is your classic third pairing/extra man that the USA needed, something Seth Jones was ideal for. LaCombe has turned into more than a reliable stay at home guy, he isn’t shy to get involved, and is as defensive minded as they come, and for the position they found themselves in following Jones’ withdrawal, they made the calculated and correct decision.