Dylan Larkin's reaction to Olympics call will have Team USA and Red Wings fans cheering

Dylan Larkin is one of the most distinguished faces on Team USA for the 2026 Winter Olympics. He grew up representing the United States since 2013, playing in events like the U-17 World Hockey Challenge, the World Juniors, World Championship, World Cup of Hockey, and, most recently, the 4 Nations Face-Off.

As for the 4 Nations, Larkin remembers how it ended. So much, that when Team USA general manager Bill Guerin called to inform him that he'd been selected to represent the United States in Milan, Larkin responded with, "I'm excited to play with those guys again. I feel like we're something special, you know? Job's not finished."

Team USA lost to Canada in the 4 Nations Final in overtime when Connor McDavid snuck one past goaltender Connor Hellebuyck to seal the win for the Canadians. Even more frustrating for Team USA was the fact that they beat Canada earlier in the tournament.

Dylan Larkin isn't the only one who knows Team USA has unfinished business

Every member of Team USA heading into the Olympics knows about the sour note this one ended on. Knowing they were capable of beating Canada, yet letting that game slip has haunted them for the past 11 months, and they will fly into Milan with that heartbreaking loss on their minds.

If Larkin and the Americans want to get some revenge against Canada, they'll need to make it out of group play. The US is in Group C with Germany, Latvia, and Denmark. Meanwhile, Canada is in Group A with Czechia, Switzerland, and France.

With both teams among the most talented in the Olympics, it would take a massive meltdown for the Americans and Canadians to miss the playoffs and set the stage for the ultimate rematch on the world's biggest stage.

Dylan Larkin will have another job to finish once the Olympics end

Should Larkin and his Team USA teammates return to the States with gold medals, he'll have smashed one checkpoint. Then he'll face the inevitable task of helping lead the Detroit Red Wings back to the playoffs for the first time in nearly a decade.

Larkin, the only remaining player left on the Red Wings since they last made the playoffs, would cap off arguably the most memorable season of his career if he returned and helped Detroit end its playoff drought months after bringing home the gold.

Wings fans will surely be rooting for Larkin at the Olympic Games, along with Lucas Raymond (Sweden) and Moritz Seider (Germany). They would love to see him and Team USA walk away with a gold medal. But a playoff berth in Year 100 would be icing on the cake, and Larkin knows it.