Team USA anchored by pair of Red Wings goaltenders; Larkin forced to miss with injury

It seemed like a bit of a surprise when Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin was said to be joining Team USA for the World Championships following the conclusion of the regular season, understanding he had recently missed time due to injury this past March with the organization scratching and clawing for the postseason lives.

Sure, we're in May now, but Larkin was forced to miss a couple of stints through the year with various injuries. Although it is unknown at this time what ails the Red Wings center, rest and relaxation may be the best thing for him this Spring to ensure he's fully healthy and ready to lead the Red Wings next season. Larkin led the Red Wings with a 1.01 points per game average, recording 33 goals and 69 points over 68 games this past season. The Detroit captain finished the year with a 7.7-point share and five game-winning goals while maintaining a plus-five rating and averaging over 20 minutes per night. Larkin also posted a Corsi For Percentage of 52.5 and a Relative Corsi For Percentage of 8.1 during even strength play, the second-best rating of his career.

The World Championship tournament will take place May 10-26 in Ostrava and Prague, Czechia.

A pair of Detroit Red Wings goaltenders will anchor Team USA at the World Championships.

Following an up-and-down season with the Red Wings, goaltender Alex Lyon will represent Team USA at the World Championships along with somewhat of a surprise selection. Detroit Red Wings prospect and Michigan State Spartan Trey Augustine will also join Lyon in Czechia to help defend the cage.

Lyon, 31, signed a two-year deal last summer with the Red Wings that carries an average annual value of $900,000. Detroit was forced to lean on Lyon in mid-December after several injuries to primarily Ville Husso occurred. Lyon was able to seize his opportunity and quickly became Detroit's top option in goal through January and February. Still, it became clear that the veteran journeyman backup began to wear down come March and April.

Lyon finished the year with a 21-18-5 record, posting two shutouts backed by a 3.05 goals against average and a .904 save percentage in 44 appearances. Barring any off-season chaos, Lyon and Husso are both entering the final year of their current deal and will likely split the goaltending duties next season.

Augustine, 19, a South Lyon native, was selected by the Detroit Red Wings No. 41 overall in the second round of the 2023 NHL Entry Level Draft. Detroit's No. 2 goaltending prospect (as of now) led the Michigan State Spartans to a 23-9-2 record in 35 appearances this past season, posting a 2.96 goals against average paired with a .915 save percentage. Augustine represented Team USA at the 2024 IIHF World Juniors tournament, where he posted a 4-0 record with a 1.75 goals against average and .936 save percentage, helping the Americans secure a gold medal in a 6-2 victory over the host Team Sweden.

Oddly enough, and I know most of you will snicker at this one, Jeff Petry will also join Team USA at the Worlds. Petry, 36, is coming off a poor year in Detroit, particularly in March, where he seemingly couldn't get out of his own way. The veteran defender finished the year with three goals and 24 points over 73 games and was a minus-7.

Detroit Red Wings head coach Derek Lalonde will also be part of Team USA's coaching staff.