Can Mike Sullivan Ignite Adam Fox's Olympic stock with Team USA?

Mike Sullivan's new assignment as head coach of the New York Rangers is accompanied by a familiar face on the blue line—Adam Fox. Having become the New York Rangers' boss, Mike Sullivan inherits a defense spearheaded by the very player whose Winter Olympic hopes he might have accidentally jeopardized. But whether their reunion aids or detracts from Fox's quest for the 2026 U.S.Olympic team is an open question. When the 4 Nations Face-Off concluded with disappointment for Team USA in February, Adam Fox was right in the middle of the final sequence—albeit for all the wrong reasons. With the game on the championship line, Adam Fox lost Mitch Marner, causing a chain that left Connor McDavid all by himself for the overtime goal. Mike Sullivan, Team USA's head coach in the tournament, observed it firsthand. Even as one of the NHL's most consistent defensemen of the last five years—a Norris Trophy winner in 2021—Adam Fox is on shaky ground regarding Team USA's 2026 Olympic roster. Adam Fox's résumé continues to shine—with 61 points in 74 games last season—but there are doubts over his speed and recent big-stage performance. NHL tracking data has Fox near the bottom of defensemen in high-speed bursts, an uncomfortable figure in a game that is moving toward speed and transition. Now, Mike Sullivan is again coaching Adam Fox—but for a different team. There is good reason to think that Sullivan can assist in remapping Fox's direction. Fox's even-strength output increased even in a "down year", and he continued to feature elite underlying statistics. With K'Andre Miller, the pair had the NHL's best expected goal share among 200+-minute defense duos. Ultimately, however, final roster choices are Team USA GM Bill Guerin's to make. Sullivan will be heard, as will Rangers president Chris Drury—a member of the Team USA management staff. But just because they get a say does not mean it equals a roster position for Fox.Adam Fox has the pedigree. He has the experience. What he lacks right now is momentum. Mike Sullivan’s arrival in New York could be the jolt Fox needs to reassert himself as one of the top American defensemen in the world. Also read: 4 Nations Face-Off Schedule: List of All teams competing, Date, and MoreIf Fox returns to Norris-caliber form in 2025-26, the Olympics will be hard to ignore. But if struggles persist, the crowded field may leave little room for past accolades.