Detroit Red Wings dazzle in the spotlight at the Four Nations Face-Off

I’ve been told that the Detroit Red Wings fans, myself included, inflate the stock of our players. They’re good players was always a followed with a but. Usually, something about how this player isn’t a top-15 player in the league or he wouldn’t be in such a high role on a Stanley Cup-winning team. 

There was so much noise and gaslighting that I’ll admit, I bought into those falsehoods.

So much so, it was to the point that I would downplay achievements or could make the arguments of why any given Detroit Red Wings player wasn’t included in events like the National Hockey League (NHL) All-Star games, International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Championships, or even this Four Nations Face-Off event. 

Two of our brightest spots in Hockeytown were invited to the Four Nations Face-Off. There will likely be another when Team Germany enters the fold next season as part of the Olympics. I’m hoping that the play of Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond this time around will inspire confidence to bring even more Detroit Red Wings players to the Olympics. If not, I think Larkin and Raymond have solidified their spots among the best hockey players in the world.

Detroit Red Wings stars, Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond, shine bright under the big lights at the Four Nations Face-Off

I find it funny the amount of judgment people pass on hockey players before they’re given a chance to show their worth.

Much like some fans’ treatment of Albert Johansson, who have undersold him or been okay with his lack of playing time before the coaching change, lots of fans wrote of Larkin his entire career.

Fans might admit he’s good to an extent, but he has no business being entertained in the top third of the NHL. He doesn’t have the talent to play with or against the elite of the elite. For anyone who has doubted him, Larkin would like a word. Or, at least Larkin would like for you to take a moment to watch highlights from the most recent championship-clinching game. 

When you get past the antics of the Hanson Brothers, I mean the Tkachuk brothers and J.T. Miller, you’ll see a common theme. 

Larkin.

He’s driving the bus for the best of the best Team USA has to offer (allegedly, though, I still wonder how much of an impact a player like Alex DeBrincat or Patrick Kane would have on the power play). 

On the game-winning goal, Larkin is well-positioned after his linemate Matt Boldy intercepts a Team Canada pass, who went for an in-opportune line change. 

If you’ve watched much of the Detroit Red Wings this season, it’s a play that you have seen before. It’s a cool thing to witness on the biggest stage.

According to Larkin, this game was the biggest of his career so far. Granted, he played in the NHL playoffs his first season in the NHL. The year was 2015-16, though, and the Red Wings weren’t competitive. If anything, it might be a sore spot for Larkin to think back to as it was the beginning of the end for the previous Detroit Red Wings dynasty. I’ve blacked it out from my memory as well, so I can’t fault Larkin if he has done the same.

In game one, I was part of the group that was upset with Larkin’s usage. I tried to remain positive. Less usage hopefully means less energy being expelled, so maybe Larkin could take advantage of the much-needed rest. Also, before he ventured to Montréal, Canada, Larkin mentioned that he understood his role.

Earlier on in his career—honestly, as recently as the 2020-21 season, I’m not sure that Larkin would have taken the news so well (of playing as a fourth line winger). Since Larkin has taken a mature leadership role on the team, he’s really come into his own. 

Specifically, his relationship with Raymond appears to have brought the best out of Larkin. I’d even argue that the small amount of time he’s had Marco Kasper on his wing, Larkin has changed for the better, too. 

Larkin still lets his emotions guide him, but they don’t seem to be as detrimental to his game as they once were. 

I reckon Larkin wasn’t happy with the deployment he was given but earned his spot higher in the lineup with his on-ice performance (and the lack of performance by other individuals on Team USA). 

He jumped from having a time on ice of only 11:14 in game one against Team Finland to 16:17 in game two against Team Canada—allegedly the favorites to win the entire tournament. Of course, his on-ice performance reflected the increased role as the third line center:

The chart above is meant to show how a player performed in the respective games. In game one, Larkin allegedly didn’t perform all that well but made up for it in game two.

Team USA was the first to clinch their spot in the Four Nations Face-Off Championship game thanks in part to Jake Guentzel, Boldy, and company. I have to give props to Jack Hughes, too, who moved to Auston Matthews’ wing. I’m sure most forwards would willingly change positions to play on Matthews’ wing, but I’ve enjoyed watching Hughes when he’s not possibly kneeing Robby Fabbri or facing off against the Detroit Red Wings. 

However, the hero of game two, in the biggest game of his career, lived up to all the Red Wings’ fans’ crazy hopes and dreams. To all those fans who doubted, I channel my best Shawn Spencer impression by singing “suck iiiit.”

On the other hand, I have yet to find a Raymond hater. 

I have, however, found many people who favor Tim Stützle over Rayond. It’s fine; people are entitled to incorrect opinions as they see fit. Stützle is a fantastic player who will have a brilliant performance for Team Germany at the Olympics next year—just as Raymond will for Team Sweden.

Unlike Larkin, Team Sweden’s coaching staff knew Raymond’s value to his team from before the puck dropped in game one. Sam Hallam, head coach of Team Sweden, is familiar Raymond having coached him previously. According to the head coach, Raymond has always been one of the best players in his age group. Often, people forget how young he is, but over the years, Raymond’s confidence and maturity have increased.  Especially with decision-making, Raymond has shown growth in his game.

As anyone watching the Detroit Red Wings would have thought, Raymond is one of the most impactful forwards for Team Sweden. His linemates, Jesper Bratt and Joel Eriksson Ek, seem to be one of the best lines Team Sweden has deployed. As important as winning shifts, Raymond’s line wins momentum and helps other lines gain confidence. 

According to the NHL website, Raymond has three assists so far in the tournament (on the total six goals Team Sweden has scored so far), the same as Sidney Crosby and Jack Eichel, only Raymond is a +3 rating (Crosby is a -1 and Eichel is a +2 rating). Raymond is averaging over 18 minutes of ice time and is leading Team Sweden in offense along with plus/minus. I understand it’s not a stat that superstar-tier fans use, but for casuals like me, it tells me that my eyes aren’t failing me. Raymond is a superstar.

Among the best players that hockey has to offer, Raymond is not only keeping pace with them but leading them in some aspects (outside of Team USA, who is just dominating the tournament as a team). 

It’s not just the offense that I’ve been impressed with in Raymond’s toolkit. I can’t remember the number of times that I saw a great defensive play in either Team Sweden’s defensive zone or neutral zone that ended up being Raymond making a great play. When he neutralizes the opponent, Raymond doesn’t just stand around. He’s already headed up the ice (either through an outlet pass or carrying the puck up the ice himself). Raymond is making things happen (for the better) for his linemates and Team Sweden as a whole. 

Tonight will serve as the biggest test for Raymond as he faces his Detroit Red Wings captain. Larkin and Raymond are usually a superstar pair for Motown, so it will be interesting to see how things play out tonight at 8 p.m. ET on TNT/TruTV/Max.

Team Sweden must win in regulation, while Team Canada and Finland must go into overtime for Team Sweden to have a chance of playing in the championship game. Let’s see how Raymond fairs as the lights haven’t been brighter in his young career.