With Olympic participation reportedly included in the NHL and NHLPA's modified collective bargaining agreement, it's time for hockey fans to begin to think about what the tournament may look like.

Following a look at Team Canada, our series continues with Team USA and how the country shapes up for the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing.

The Americans have finished in the top four - including a pair of silver medals - in three of the previous four Olympics involving NHL players. With a young and potent roster for 2022, Team USA has an incredible chance to capture gold for the first time since the Miracle on Ice in 1980.

Others in this series:
Canada
Sweden
Finland
Czech Republic - July 10
Russia - July 12

Team USA

Head coach: Mike Sullivan

Sullivan served as an assistant coach for Team USA at both the 2006 Olympics in Turin and the 2016 World Cup of Hockey and deserves the opportunity to take the lead role behind the bench. The Massachusetts native has led the Pittsburgh Penguins to a pair of Stanley Cups since the last time NHL players were permitted at the Olympics in 2014, and has a ton of experience keeping a star-studded roster in order.

Detroit Red Wings head coach Jeff Blashill will also be a strong candidate after receiving the job for the Americans at the 2019 world championships, but Sullivan's experience and winning pedigree makes him a tough option to overlook.

Forwards

(All ages as of February 2022)

Extras: Vincent Trocheck (28), Jack Hughes (20)

The Americans' loaded forward group has only two players with prior Olympic experience, which is a testament to the nation's recent wave of dynamic young talent. Finding the net shouldn't be a problem for Team USA, as the lineup boasts nine players who've recorded at least one 30-goal campaign, with five of them accomplishing that milestone before turning 22.

Reuniting U.S. NTDP teammates Matthews and Tkachuk on the top line alongside Kane is a scary proposition, and having a passing wizard like Gaudreau with a sniper like Boeser flank Eichel presents a second trio that will cause matchup headaches for most countries.

Yes, Wheeler will be 35, but his leadership is invaluable and the team would benefit from keeping a few veterans around. He's also a rare talent who's peaked in his 30s and has a ton of experience playing alongside Jets teammate Connor. Wheelers' advanced hockey savvy combined with Larkin's speed and Connor's elite scoring ability is an intriguing combination. Finally, the team's fourth line features a pair of recent 40-goal scorers and the versatile J.T. Miller, who can play up the middle and adds a needed element of grit.

It's hard to project how the long layoff between the NHL's shutdown in March and the start of the 2020-21 campaign will impact Jack Hughes' developmental arc. That said, he should have at least one more full season of pro hockey under his belt by the time the Olympics roll around, and we like his chances of earning a role on the team, even if it's as an extra.

As for the omissions, the talent on the wing presents a tough reality for aging players like T.J. Oshie, Max Pacioretty, and Phil Kessel. If management elects to keep a mix of older talent in the fold, one of these veterans could still get the call.

Just missed the cut: Clayton Keller, Chris Kreider, Brady Tkachuk, Pacioretty, Oshie

Defense

Extras: Charlie McAvoy (24), Jacob Trouba (28)

Team USA boasts an incredibly skilled and balanced defense corps that may be the best in the tournament on paper. Every member of the blue line is a strong skater with plenty of offensive upside that will only be augmented by the larger international ice surface.

The veteran combo of Carlson and Krug would provide the club with an experienced top unit capable of dominating at both ends of the ice, while the Columbus Blue Jackets' dominant duo of Werenski and Jones have the added benefit of chemistry. Slavin is an elite two-way talent who would also serve as an invaluable penalty killer, and pairing him with Hughes could unlock the latter's dynamic skating game and allow him to be aggressive.

McAvoy is already too good to overlook for this team, and he'll only be more developed in two years. Though he's listed as an extra here, the 6-foot blue-liner would be more of a regular as Team USA is afforded the luxury of having seven defensemen they can plug and play throughout the tournament.

Just missed the cut: Adam Fox, Ryan Suter, Keith Yandle, Ryan McDonagh

Goalies

Extra: Ben Bishop (35)

Team USA has enjoyed a strong cast in net over the last several decades, and that trend will continue in 2022 with a trio of reliable options. It's hard to deny Hellebuyck the starting role after the body of work he's established over the past few campaigns, but Anaheim Ducks puck-stopper John Gibson will certainly present a challenge for the job.

Hellebuyck is the reason the defensively depleted Winnipeg Jets managed to stay competitive this season. His brilliance made up for the club's last-place ranking in several possession stats including expected goals for percentage and share of high-danger scoring chances. The Michigan native also ranks sixth in goals saved above average at five-on-five since the start of the 2017-18 campaign.

Gibson represented team North America at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, but hasn't suited up for Team USA since 2013 when he earned a bronze medal at the world championship and a gold at the world juniors.

Just missed the cut: Thatcher Demko

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The NHL and its players' association are closing in on a new six-year collective bargaining agreement, as well as the key details involved in facilitating the league's return-to-play plan, reports TSN's Frank Seravalli.

There are more steps to be taken before a formal announcement, but the deal appears to be imminent, Seravalli adds. The agreement would still need to be ratified by the league's board of governors and the entire NHLPA. Players will have 72 hours to vote.

Some of the details in the new deal include training camps opening July 13, with teams reporting to their respective hubs by July 26. Qualifying-round games are scheduled to begin Aug. 1, and the Stanley Cup is to be awarded in early October.

The second phase of the NHL Draft Lottery will be held Aug. 10, with the draft itself taking place in mid-October. Free agency will kick off Nov. 1.

Aside from important dates, Seravalli's report outlines several other critical factors:

• Any player wishing to opt out of the league's return plan can do so without facing any discipline.
• The salary cap upper-limit will be frozen at $81.5 million until hockey-related revenue hits $4.8 billion - the amount projected for the current season before the pandemic shut it down.
• As previously reported, NHLers will participate in the 2022 (Beijing) and 2026 (Milan) Olympics pending agreement with the IOC.
• Escrow for players will be capped at 20% next season, and that total will dip to 6% by 2025-26.
• Players will defer 10% of salary and signing bonuses next season, which will be paid back in three instalments in 2023-24, 2024-25, and 2025-26.
• All no-trade and no-move clauses will travel with players to their new teams if they are dealt, even if the clause hasn't kicked in yet.

Earlier this week, TSN's Bob McKenzie reported Toronto and Edmonton will be used as the two hub cities "barring any last-minute complications."

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The St. Louis Blues canceled practice at the team's facility Friday due to multiple positive test results for COVID-19, according to The Athletic's Jeremy Rutherford.

The facility will now be closed to players who were looking to train there over the weekend, but the team expects to resume practices Monday, Rutherford adds. The infected players were not identified.

Under Phase 2 of the NHL's return-to-play plan, players were permitted to begin working out in small groups at team facilities starting June 8, but the Blues waited until June 22.

The Tampa Bay Lightning were forced to shutter their training facility June 19 after three players tested positive. The venue was cleaned and re-opened five days later.

Fifteen of the 250 players who reported to training facilities for Phase 2 tested positive for the virus as of Monday. Another 11 players who did not report for voluntary workouts have also tested positive since the start of Phase 2.

Phase 3 of the NHL's return plan, which signifies the start of training camp, is set to begin July 10. However, the players have not yet voted to approve Phase 3 and Phase 4.

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Toronto mayor John Tory addressed reports that the city will be one of the NHL's hub locations, saying the league has provided a thorough plan outlining safety measures.

"They had incredibly detailed disinfection and health protection measures that were in place even within the bubble to make sure they covered every angle they possibly could from the standpoint of making sure they met our public-health objectives. At least it would appear that way from what I saw," Tory said during a Thursday press conference, according to The Canadian Press.

Toronto and Edmonton have reportedly been chosen as the NHL's two hub destinations for the expanded playoffs "barring any last-minute complications," according to TSN's Bob McKenzie.

The league was originally working with a list of 10 potential cities, but a spike in COVID-19 cases across the United States appears to have shifted the NHL's focus to Canada. There were 794 active cases as of July 1 in Toronto, according to the city's data.

Teams will be split into groups of 12 during the potential restart. The Western Conference teams will play in Edmonton, and the Eastern Conference clubs will gather in Toronto.

In Toronto's plan, players would stay in a 40-acre campus-like village on the Exhibition Place grounds, which includes Toronto FC's BMO Field, the Toronto Raptors' OVO Athletic Centre, the Toronto Marlies' Coca-Cola Coliseum, and the 404-room Hotel X.

Before anything is made official, the NHL and NHLPA need to agree upon and ratify a new collective bargaining agreement, which both sides are working on as the league pushes to begin Phase 3 (the opening of training camps) on July 10.

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theScore is counting down the 100 best fictional characters in sports movie history.

100-91 | 90-81 | 80-71 | 70-61 | 60-51
50-41 | 40-31 | 30-21 | 20-11 | 10-1

10. Apollo Creed

"Rocky" (1975), "Rocky II" (1979), "Rocky III" (1982), and "Rocky IV" (1985)

Arguably the most charismatic sports figure to ever grace the silver screen, Creed (Carl Weathers) is the perfect opposite to Rocky Balboa's underdog character. The flamboyant, arrogant boxer, who was loosely based on a combination of fighters including Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard, embraces his larger-than-life status while drawing heat and remaining likable at the same time.

9. Randy 'The Ram' Robinson

"The Wrestler" (2008)

Darren Aronofsky's dark dive into the independent circuits of professional wrestling was a masterpiece that reached Oscar-worthy success thanks to Mickey Rourke's incredible portrayal of fading grappler Robinson. "The Ram" represents everything that is wrong with fame and fortune when his continued journey toward reliving his glory years ends up costing him more important things in life. Rourke, who actually wrestled in the film, received a Best Actor nomination for his work.

8. Reggie 'Reg' Dunlop

"Slap Shot" (1977)

Already in his 50s when "Slap Shot" was released, Paul Newman's Reg has a bit of a Gordie Howe feel to him as a passionate on-ice leader who's seen and done it all but continues to ply his trade because hockey is truly his first love. As always, that trademark Newman cool is present both during the games and at the local bar.

Fair warning, however: Some of Reg's banter hasn't aged well.

7. Crash Davis

"Bull Durham" (1988)

Warning: Video contains coarse language

Davis (Kevin Costner) is a veteran catcher who is recruited to teach young hurler "Nuke" LaLoosh how to be a professional while also attempting to break a minor-league home-run record that most people don't know or care about. Davis may be rough around the edges in "Bull Durham," but his adoration for baseball and ability to deliver memorable speeches make him one of the most legendary sports characters in film history.

6. Happy Gilmore

"Happy Gilmore" (1996)

It's the perfect fish-out-of-water story: An impulsive wannabe hockey player takes on the golf world after discovering an uncanny ability to drive the ball hundreds of yards thanks to his graceless slap shot technique. As Happy, Adam Sandler is at his man-child best, yelling, punching, and cursing as he runs roughshod over the stodgy denizens of the pro tour.

5. Jesus Shuttlesworth

"He Got Game" (1998)

Casting a non-actor - then-Milwaukee Bucks star Ray Allen - to play a lead role in a drama carried plenty of risk, but Spike Lee's gambit paid off. Allen does just enough to bring teenage basketball prodigy Jesus Shuttlesworth to life, then wisely clears out of the paint to let Denzel Washington do the heavy lifting.

With Allen becoming a Hall of Famer, the Jesus Shuttlesworth character has remained in the public consciousness for well over two decades.

4. 'Steamin' Willie Beamen

"Any Given Sunday" (1999)

Warning: Video contains coarse language

Throughout the 1990s, Jamie Foxx was best known for sketch comedy show "In Living Color" and sitcom "The Jamie Foxx Show." Oliver Stone's "Any Given Sunday," which digs deeper into the seedy underbelly of professional football, helped bridge the gap from Foxx's comedic work to his Best Actor Oscar for "Ray" in 2005.

Much of Willie Beamen's story holds up today: football's pigeonholing and treatment of Black quarterbacks; acclimatizing to a rapid rise in celebrity status; and balancing on-field and off-field priorities. Beamen feels like an amalgam of many real-life QBs who came before and after - one-of-a-kind personalities and talents like Jim McMahon, Michael Vick, Baker Mayfield, and Lamar Jackson.

3. Shooter McGavin

"Happy Gilmore" (1996)

McGavin (Christopher McDonald) is everything you want from a comedic sports movie villain. For one, he sees all competitors as his inferiors - oftentimes making him both a sore loser and sore winner. Shooter also positions himself as a gatekeeper for his sport, sneering at those who upset golf's established hierarchies and traditions.

That makes him the perfect foil to Sandler's Happy, a blue-collar rube with a penchant for emotional outbursts. Of course, it doesn't take very long for Happy to turn the tables; by the end of "Happy Gilmore," Shooter has completely lost his moral high-ground, allowing Happy to seize victory.

2. Dottie Hinson

"A League of Their Own" (1992)

Runner-up on our list is Hinson (Geena Davis), the dairy farmer-turned-catcher in "A League of Their Own." After joining the All-American Girls Professional Baseball Team while her husband is away at war, Hinson becomes an immediate sensation thanks to her marvelous on-field play and leadership in this sisterhood classic that was preserved as part of the United States National Film Registry in 2012.

1. Rocky Balboa

"Rocky" (1975), "Rocky II" (1979), "Rocky III" (1982), "Rocky IV" (1985), "Rocky V" (1990), "Rocky Balboa" (2006), "Creed" (2015), and "Creed II" (2018)

The greatest underdog in sports film history tops our list, and rightfully so. The iconic "Rocky" franchise has spawned eight films over five decades, and the one constant has been Balboa, a nobody boxer who made the most out of the ultimate opportunity. Just when it seems Rocky is faced with an impossible challenge, the "Italian Stallion" finds a way to overcome the odds. Balboa never quits and has proven over the past 42 years that anything is possible, especially through hard work and perseverance.

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