The NHL recently announced plans to allow players to play for their home countries at the upcoming 2022 Winter Olympic Games. According to NHL.com, the NHL will take a break from competition from Feb. 2-22 in order to allow players to play in the Olympics. This break will also coincide with the 2022 All-Star Weekend in Las Vegas. The Detroit Red Wings have several players who could play for their home countries. Here is a list of players who could get the opportunity to play in Beijing.
USA
Dylan Larkin is entering his 7th season in the NHL, second as captain of the Red Wings. Larkin will most likely be the #3 center for USA behind Auston Matthews and Jack Eichel. Larkin had an injury-laden down year last year, so it’s no guarantee that Larkin will be invited to play for USA. If Larkin is selected, it will be the 10th tournament that Larkin has played as a member of the USA.
Larkin first represented his home country in 2012-13 when he played in the U17 World Championships. Larkin scored seven points in six tournament games, helping USA to a Bronze Medal.
At the 2013-14 U18 World Championships, Larkin was an alternate captain. Larkin scored four points in six games, helping USA capture the Gold Medal.
In 2015, Larkin represented USA at the World Junior Championships. In five games, Larkin scored five goals and seven points. After his rookie season at the University of Michigan (NCAA) ended, Larkin turned professional and played in the playoffs for Grand Rapids (AHL). When Grand Rapids was eliminated from the playoffs, Larkin played in 10 games at the World Championships. The team captured the Bronze Medal in this tournament.
In 2016-17, Larkin played two games for Team North America in the World Cup.
From 2016-2019, Larkin played in four additional World Championships for USA. In 35 tournament games, Larkin scored 33 points. In 2018, USA captured a Bronze Medal. He was also selected as an alternate captain for the last three World Championships.
Larkin was selected as a Top 3 Player on USA at the 2017 and 2019 World Championships.
Alex Nedeljkovic might also get the invite to play for USA. Playing for Carolina last year, Nedeljkovic had the lowest GAA (1.90) and highest SV% (.932) in the NHL. If Nedeljkovic can duplicate or play near the level he did last year, USA would have a terrific young goalie with international experience.
Nedeljkovic was selected to play for USA three times during his amateur career. In 2013-14, Nedeljkovic was the #1 goalie on the Gold Medal winning U18 team.
The next year, Nedeljkovic was selected to play in the World Junior Championships. Although he didn’t see action in the tournament, it was valuable experience for the 2016 tournament when Nedeljkovic was the #1 goalie. USA won the Bronze Medal and Nedeljkovic was selected to the Top 3 Player Team for USA.