Starting this coming week, Detroit Red Wings forward Dylan Larkin will be able to temporarily forget about the grueling task of containing Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid.
That's because the two will be teammates for Team North America at the World Cup. The two are familiar opponents after going head to head not just at the NHL level, but as far back as their days of midget hockey.
"I'm happy Connor McDavid is on our roster because I've been chasing him around for a while since his days with the Toronto Marlboros (in 2011-12), so it'll be nice being on his side," Larkin told NHL.com. "You hear nothing but positive things (about McDavid), and obviously he's a great player, and I'm happy he's on our team."
Aside from McDavid, Larkin is also excited to be reunited with Buffalo Sabres forward Jack Eichel and Toronto Maple Leafs rookie Auston Matthews, both of whom Larkin played alongside on Team USA at the 2015 World Juniors.
"It's pretty cool to think that the three of us played together at the World Junior Championship just a few years ago," Larkin said. "We've come up through the international program together and now we get to represent all the hockey players under the age of 23, and I'm excited to see them and play with them again."
As for how Larkin feels the young squad will do at the tournament, he thinks the team sits in a rather unique position - one that still sees them as a threat, but without the same pressure the more experienced clubs enter with.
"I think this is going to be great because it's a group of guys coming together who are all in the same position; we're young guys in the NHL trying to prove ourselves," Larkin said. "I think the other teams aren't underestimating us, but we don't have that pressure. We're just going to have a ton of fun and play with a lot of speed, and I think teams might be on their heels when they're playing against us."
