Special teams and controlling the neutral zone top the list of priorities as Jeff Blashill attempts to mold a competitive team from just a handful of practices.
Team USA kicks off its World Championship schedule Friday in Cologne, Germany, with a game against the host country. Blashill, who will coach a team that also features Detroit Red Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard, forward Dylan Larkin and defenseman Danny DeKeyser, has a roster full of potential as Team USA begins a seven-game preliminary round.
“We have got some really good young, skilled players,” Blashill, the Red Wings' coach, told the Free Press.