NHL analyst lambasts Adam Fox for "slow, pedestrian" defense; reckons Lane Hutson deserves USA Olympics spot over Rangers D-man

NHL analyst Craig Button blasted Adam Fox for slow, pedestrian defense and said Lane Hutson deserves a Team USA Olympic spot over the Rangers defenseman.

The USA men’s team roster for the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics is not finalized yet. It is expected to be announced in late December or early January next year.

New York Rangers defenseman Adam Fox is widely expected to be on the roster. He was included in the 44-player orientation camp roster announced in August. On the other hand, Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson is a strong contender but not guaranteed.

The 21-year-old is on several “under consideration” lists and projections for a depth defenseman spot. On the Frank Hockey podcast, analyst Craig Button favored Hutson as the superior option over Fox for the Olympics roster.

"Slow, pedestrian play. We watched the league. We know how fast the league is and how quick the league is and the speed and everything, but it just gets faster every day, every week, and I thought looks Adam Fox looks like a player that's because as the league is getting faster, he looks like he's falling," Button said.

He added:

"And that gap is only going to get wider, and the gap at the best of best Olympics is significant. Based on what I watched, watched him again last night, I don't think he should even be in a game."

How have Lane Hutson and Adam Fox fared this season?

Lane Hutson is comparatively having a better season than Adam Fox. Hutson has racked up nine points through one goal and eight assists, with a +11 rating. And the Montreal Canadiens hold first position in the Atlantic Division with a 7-3-0 record.

On the other hand, Fox has seven points through three goals and four assists with a -3 rating in 10 games. Compared to the Montreal Canadiens, the New York Rangers have been a struggling side, sitting ninth in the Metro Division with a 3-5-2 record.

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Edited by Abhishek Dilta