The Hockey News’s Sam Stockton took note of the positions in which Red Wings forwards Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond find themselves occupying ahead of the start of the Four Nations Face-Off, as reported by The Athletic’s Michael Russo and Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman on Monday:
Per Michael Russo of The Athletic, Larkin spent Team USA’s first practice in a fourth line role next to Brock Nelson and Vincent Trocheck. Meanwhile, per Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, Raymond skated [on Sweden’s] third line slot next to Jesper Bratt and Joel Eriksson Ek.
Red Wings fans likely believe both of those players merit higher placement in the lineup, though of course this sort of slotting (of NHL stars in complementary roles) is inevitable in the context of a best-on-best tournament. It is also no more than the first practice, so there is certainly time for either player to ascend in the lineup once the games begin.
And MLive’s Ansar Khan posted an article in which he noted Larkin and Raymond’s takes on their respective opportunities to play for their nation’s representative teams:
“It’s just an unbelievable opportunity,” Larkin said. “I got to play in the World Cup, but that was a little bit different not representing a country, and it was still a great experience. To have the NHL set aside in-season time, it’s a very big deal and I expect it to be a war. I listened to (Canada coach) Jon Cooper right after the teams were announced. He said it’s going to be four Game 7s and he’s right about that and something I’m very excited for.”
Larkin skated at right wing with Trocheck (Rangers) at center and Brock Nelson (Islanders) at left wing during practice Monday. The other centers were Eichel, Matthews and Miller.
The U.S. and Canada are the favorites, by many accounts.
“I know we have a good team on paper,” Larkin said. “We have good goaltending and some unbelievable players. I’m excited just to do anything I can to help that team win.”
Lucas Raymond, representing Sweden as the other Red Wing in the tournament, skated on a line with center Joel Eriksson Ek (Minnesota) and Jesper Bratt (New Jersey) in practice Monday. The Swedes open Wednesday against Canada (8 p.m., truTV, TNT).
“Anytime you put on your national team jersey and get to play for your country, it’s always an honor and something a lot of guys take a lot of pride in,” Raymond said. “And then obviously playing with guys you normally don’t. A lot of high-profile players going to play important minutes for their teams.”
Update: Here’s a bit more from the Detroit News’s Ted Kulfan:
“I’m really excited about it,” said Larkin, who has competed in world championships and world junior tournament for Team USA and played for Team North America in the World Cup. “It’s going to be a great hockey experience for myself, all the guys on the team and our families. I’ve played for USA (Hockey) and it’s special. World junior was in Montreal, and it was my first experience in an NHL rink. To go back there in a best-on-best as an NHL player, in that building, will be real special.”
What makes this particular dynamic so unique, and possibly a tad uncomfortable Monday when they face off, is the relationship between Larkin and Raymond. The two are good friends and linemates for years, and now will be facing each other in an international tournament.
“It’s a little weird, and we’ve (talked) about it a little bit,” Raymond said. “We’re very good friends off the ice, so first time playing against each other will be a little special. We’ve joked around a little bit, but it will be fun seeing him there. You go from hanging out every day, playing with each other to all of a sudden playing against each other on a big stage like that where it’s a lot of emotions involved, a high-compete level.
“I don’t know what I’ll do if I see him in the corner next to me, but it’ll be a good time.”
Larkin feels Raymond is one of the players in the tournament Team USA must contain, given Raymond is enjoying a career-best season with 59 points (21 goals, 38 assists), leading the Wings in scoring.
“He’s having a heck of a year,” Larkin said. “He means so much to our team. Proceed with caution with him. We want to win and you want to play well, but he’s my buddy and you look out for him and smile.”
