All-in-all, the 2013 IIHF Men’s World Championship can be considered a success for the U.S. Men’s National Team. A big quarterfinal win over heavily-favored Russia and earning the first medal since 2004 with bronze are the big standout moments. It’s quite rare for U.S. teams to medal, so Team USA’s performance carries some extra significance.

Trying to assign reasonable meaning to what the bronze means for USA Hockey is a touch more difficult. The World Championship isn’t a best-on-best tournament, but it’s still an important event on some level. It might not have North American fan interest, but it’s one of many measuring sticks to indicate the health of a country’s national team program.

For so long, the U.S. has not had the depth to compete with other countries, which has been hard to fathom considering the increasing Americans playing in the NHL. The World Championship has proven that the gap in the average talent across the globe is pretty even among the big hockey countries. Even so, the U.S. teams should still be able to compete annually for a medal, so getting bronze is a step in the right direction. 

The medal is not a monumental moment for USA Hockey, but it is a step towards something better and brighter. The depth of the country’s talent is as important as continuing to cultivate elite-level players, for sustainability’s sake. As the game grows, the talent should continue to grow with it.

Tournaments like the World U18s, World Juniors and even the World Championships are measuring sticks of varying value. Having some level of success in each is a good sign.

The last few years suggest that the talent is starting to catch up – in terms of American players’ presence in the NHL and NHL Draft, success internationally and across-the-board improvement at the midget and junior levels – to USA Hockey’s monumental membership growth over the last decade.

Now, here are some quick random closing thoughts and facts specific to the World Championship…

The U.S. finished the tournament 6-1-0-0-3. The seven wins, including the last one in the shootout, matches the American record for a World Championship set in 1939, according to USA Hockey. That’s good news.

Paul Stastny’s 15 points ranked second in the tournament, while Craig Smith’s 14 was tied for third and his nine assists led all players. Those two point totals are among the best the U.S. has seen in more than 30 years at the World Championship. The two seem to like playing together.

The U.S. was able to ride 19-year-old John Gibson throughout the medal round and he didn’t disappoint. More on him in a bit.

Alex Galchenyuk and T.J. Oshie were late arrivals to the team, coming in after disappointing playoff losses for their respective teams. Both made immediate contributions, with Galchenyuk scoring the two shootout goals that gave the U.S. bronze.

Defensively, the U.S. got strong performances out of a number of players including Erik Johnson, Justin Faulk and — after an early-tournament adjustment period — 19-year-old Jacob Trouba. Matt Hunwick also proved a serviceable offensive defenseman throughout the tournament.

Faulk was undoubtedly Team USA’s top D. The 21-year-old rising star with Carolina saw the top competition, played the biggest minutes and was a two-way threat. More on him shortly.

The U.S. brought four players that played college hockey last year in Hobey Baker winner Drew LeBlanc, Nick Bjugstad, Danny Kristo and Trouba. It was Winnipeg prospect Trouba making the largest impact of any of the four as he ended up being utilized regularly.

LeBlanc ended up a scratch every game after Oshie arrived, but prior to that he was on Team USA’s second scoring line and contributed three assists. He was an unfortunate casualty in a numbers game.

Bjugstad and Kristo got fourth-line minutes and played very energetic hockey, but neither was much of a factor offensively, which was of moderate surprise considering their scoring ways in college. Both are still quality prospects, but this tournament may have showed a few of their current limitations and why both may need some extra AHL seasoning before jumping into the NHL full-time. Both are close, though.

Ben Bishop struggled quite a bit in the tournament. He finished with an abysmal .876 save percentage over five starts and faced some of the weaker teams in the tournament. That wouldn’t overly concern me if I was a Tampa Bay Lightning fan, though. Bishop has limited international experience and making the adjustment from an NHL-size to Olympic-size rink is one not necessarily easy to make. Some of the goals he allowed looked like a matter of misjudging the angle, which is a common mistake on international ice for North American goalies. I think he’ll get another shot at the World Championship eventually, but this time around wasn’t great.

Here are some more thoughts on potential Olympics candidates (if the NHL goes of course):

Paul Stastny — Colorado Avalanche — Stastny quite simply was terrific in the tournament. He wasn’t as dominant as his point total suggests, but was every bit as effective. Stastny was very strong at both ends, good on the power play and penalty kill, and could do a little bit of everything for Team USA. Having substantial Olympic and World Championship experience, Stastny looked every bit the captain Team USA selected him to be. The effort was there, he played loose and made the most of his scoring chances. The chemistry he seemed to build with Craig Smith was noticeable. Even after a less-than-good season with the Avs this year, I haven’t doubted Stastny’s position on the 2014 Olympic team. He’s probably the third or fourth-line center in Sochi and he offers the right mix of defensive ability and scoring pop that will help a lot in those tight contests.

Justin Faulk — Carolina Hurricanes — Faulk has been one of my darkhorse candidates for the Olympics based on the way his game has progressed over his first two NHL seasons. Carolina is a better team with him on the ice and it showed when he was out with injury this year. Faulk’s two-way game is growing each year. He’s become an excellent distributor of the puck and still has a cannon from the point. The former UMD Bulldog has a knack for getting the puck up ice and knows how to make the most of the big surface. The competition for Sochi is fierce on the blueline. The U.S. has an awful lot of high-end puck movers and perhaps not enough elite shut-down guys. Faulk’s defense is good enough to probably help fill that void. He’s used to playing a lot of minutes and can play in any situation. I think he’s an easy invite to the orientation camp and will be in the hunt until the very end.

Alex Galchenyuk — Montreal Canadiens — Despite his youth, it’s fairly safe to say the U.S. lacks players with the level of skill Galchenyuk brings to the table. He still could afford to get stronger, but beyond that he’s showing vast potential. Another step forward developmentally next season could go a long way to putting Galchenyuk on the roster. The U.S. is very shallow down the left wing right now, but there are enough candidates with a touch more experience both internationally and in the NHL that will challenge Galchenyuk mightily. Scoring twice in the shootout and apparently having the boldness to ask to shoot for the win at 19 is really remarkable and something that will be remembered. I don’t think USA Hockey can leave him out of their orientation camp, but I’m still not sold he’s at an Olympic level just yet. No question the upside is there and he could make that leap as early as next season, but it’s tough to say right now in May. A good off-season and camp performance could significantly change that, though.

T.J. Oshie — St. Louis Blues — When I made an Olympic projection for CBSSports.com a few months back, Oshie was on my roster for Sochi. He’s still got the inside track in my opinion to being on the club due to the relative lack of depth. The big issue for Oshie right now is that Team USA is stacked down the right side, Oshie’s natural position. He’d have to move to the left and likely take a third- or fourth-line role, but that’s an area I believe he’d do well in. Right now, Oshie has to fend off quite a few formidable guys including perhaps Galchenyuk. He’s an easy camp invite and as long as he brings his high-energy, physical game, there’s a spot for him in Sochi. Oshie managed one goal at the Worlds, which wasn’t necessarily great for the role he was asked to play in his four games, but he played the style that could get him a spot at the Olympics.

Erik Johnson — Colorado Avalanche — At times at the World Championship  Johnson looked like the guy that earned a spot on the 2010 Olympic team and others the guy that hasn’t lived up to No. 1 overall potential. That said, he’s a great defender on the big ice surface due to his mobility. He plays physical, moves the puck fairly well and played panic-free hockey. There were a few times where positioning was a little messy, but for the most part, Johnson showed why he’s got a good chance to return for his second Olympics. He’s got more competition this time around for a spot, with the player he was traded for in Kevin Shattenkirk looking chief among them. They very well could both make it, as the bigger ice is going to put a premium on puck-movers. Johnson is a no-doubter for camp and I think he’d be really tough to cut with his capability to play solid defense on the big ice.

Craig Smith – Nashville Predators — After his nine-assist, 14-point performance, Smith may get some extra buzz, but it’d be tough to put him in the Olympic category at this point. He’s headed into his third NHL season, coming off of a massive drop-off in production in his sophomore campaign. Smith has been an excellent World Championship player though, with 22 points in 21 career World Championship games. He has good defensive sense, but he’d be a very tough sell. While the Olympics is not likely part of his immediate future, his play in three World Championships so far has been nothing less than impressive.

Matt Carle — Tampa Bay Lightning — I thought Carle might be a bubble guy for Team USA’s defense, but after the World Championships, I wouldn’t count on that anymore. He wasn’t bad by any means, but as the most experienced defenseman on the club, I expected to see more from him. He had two assists and 12 shots on goal, while averaging nearly 19 minutes a game. Carle was mostly average. He might get an invite to the Olympic camp, but even that may be a stretch, with the bevvy of candidates available to USA Hockey this time around.

Future Watch…

Jacob Trouba — There is a chance, albeit a very slim one, that Trouba could get an invite to the Olympic orientation camp. He’s probably not ready for the big show yet, but I think it would be excellent for USA Hockey to add in a couple of young guys to give them a taste of the level they need to be at. Trouba and Seth Jones would be ideal guys for something like that. This very well could be the last year the NHL goes to the Olympics, but there will be other events like the World Cup on the horizon that would help to give guys like them a chance to get their feet wet. Trouba showed throughout the World Championship that he needs some work, but more often than not, he showed glimpses of his vast potential. The confidence he played with at the Worlds was pretty remarkable. He was scratched two games and came back with authority, saving his best performance for the bronze-medal game. Trouba was quite possibly Team USA’s best defenseman in that game and got a more regular shift. He has a chance to be a really special player for a long time.

John Gibson — While Gibson won’t be in the Olympic mix this time around, he showed why he may be the best American goaltending prospect since Jonathan Quick. He was overshadowed by Jack Campbell in his NTDP years, playing a year behind the most decorated goalie in recent USA Hockey history, but Gibson showed this year that he’s at an extremely high level right now. With the year he’s had now, there’s no shadow. Campbell is still a high-end goaltending prospect, but Gibson showed a level not seen often by goalies his age. He was the MVP of Team USA’s gold-medal team at the WJC and was probably the U.S. MVP throughout the medal round at the World Championship, including the bronze-medal game. What makes Gibson different from his peers, and reason he projects as an elite goaltending prospect, is his poise. The mental aspect of goaltending is every bit as important as the athletic side and Gibson is aces in both. He’s in a Ducks organization that has an embarrassment of riches in its goaltending pipeline, which will likely slow Gibson’s ascent to the NHL, but after this tournament, I find it hard to question his potential as a future No. 1 in the NHL. His track record, from the NTDP to the OHL to the international tournaments is one of enormous success.  John Gibson very well could be the future of American goaltending.

Some thoughts on Team USA’s Olympic leadership:

I’m pretty certain, without any confirmation from any sources (Olympic info has been locked tight), USA Hockey already has its mind made up on the men that will be charged with leading the U.S. Olympic team in the capacities of general manger and head coach. The organization won’t announce anything until the NHL has decided whether or not it will participate in Sochi (even though it’s clearer that it’s going to happen), but I’d be shocked if the plans weren’t already in place.

I don’t know if it would take Nostradamus to predict that the head coach is most likely going to be Dan Bylsma of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Pens head coach has had increased visibility at USA Hockey events and has been increasingly involved with various national teams. He was a camp coach at the National Junior Evaluation camp for the 2012 WJC. Bylsma was also USA Hockey’s guest as an “observer” at last year’s World Championship after the Pens were eliminated from the playoffs. Bylsma was even late to his media availability last Sunday because he was watching the end of the bronze-medal game on TV.  It is a job he clearly wants.

The timing seems to be just right as well. Of the potential candidates, Bylsma just seems to be a fit. Ron Wilson likely is receiving consideration for the job he did in 2010, but not working in the NHL is not going to help his chances. John Tortorella is on the hot seat in New York as the Rangers flounder in the second round and Peter Laviolette’s Flyers missed the playoffs in spectacular fashion this year. Clearly, none sit in the position Bylsma does now.

Bylsma knows how to manage stars, with two of the biggest in the world on his team right now. He also might know how to slow those two down, too…

The only downside is Bylsma’s lack of international experience. He’s never coached and to my knowledge never played in a major international event. I don’t think that isn’t going to stop him from being the guy, though.

It will also be interesting to see how the U.S. handles its assistant coaches.

With his recent job at the World Championships, you’d have to imagine Joe Sacco will be looked to as an option. He is a former Olympian and has good international coaching experience.

Bylsma’s own assistant in Pittsburgh, Tony Granato, would be an obvious fit as well as a former U.S. Olympian.

There’s also Phil Housley, who was the head coach of this year’s World Junior team and an assistant on the bronze-medal World Championship club. He just took an assistant job with Nashville and is an IIHF Hall of Fame inductee based on his international playing career.

Then there’s Wilson, Tortorella, Laviolette and throw in 2010 assistant coach Scott Gordon as a few more options.

For the general manager, the rumors are swirling and they all keep coming back to the same guy: Nashville Predators general manager David Poile.

Brian Burke would seem to be a good choice for the job he did in 2010, but reports have pegged USA Hockey wanting to go with a current NHL general manager.

Poile was the assistant GM for Burke in 2010 and is well-respected by USA Hockey and its GM-filled advisory committee. I’d expect Burke to be heavily involved in the process no matter who is in charge, but it seems like it’s Poile’s time.

A three-time finalist for NHL General Manager of the Year, Poile has gone through some tough changes in Nashville due to free agency, but he is an excellent builder and has a wealth of experience as an evaluator.

The U.S. has such a terrific pool to choose from, but Poile seems like the favorite right now.

The Olympics decision should be coming soon from the NHL and as soon as it does, expect USA Hockey to move quickly to make its big announcements soon thereafter.

After surrendering a 2-0 lead in the third period, it looked as though the Americans’ medal hopes were in question. Lauri Korpikoski scored twice in just over three minutes in the third to make things interesting. After a scoreless overtime, the game had to be decided in a shootout.

Craig Smith didn’t get a shot away on his attempt as the first shooter, but John Gibson sucked some air out of the building with his dazzling save on Petri Kontiola, kicking out the leg pad and getting all of the puck. Then T.J. Oshie got stuffed, opening the door for Finland again and Jani Pesonen made the most of it, putting one past Gibson.

It all came down to Montreal Canadiens rookie Alex Galchenyuk to keep the game alive. He completely confused Antti Raanta and roofed one to make it 1-1. Lauri Korpikoski still had a chance to end for Finland, but missed wide.

With extra shooters, teams can choose any player to take the shot regardless if they’ve already gone in the shootout. Also, the order changes, meaning the U.S. got the second shot.

Mikael Granlund, so often a hero for Finland, nearly beat Gibson with the Forsberg-style move, but the puck glanced wide. Galchenyuk was tapped again.

In what seemed like a carbon copy of his previous goal, Galchenyuk roofed another one to seal the bronze.

Here are the highlights:

It was fitting that Galchenyuk, one of three players from the World Junior Championship squad that took gold this year won it for the U.S. He’ll figure prominently into USA Hockey’s future going forward, but so early in his career came through with a big goal.

Galchenyuk told USA Today’s Kevin Allen, “I have never been more nervous in my life,” regarding his shootout attempts.

According to David Moss, Galchenyuk wasn’t due to take the second shot, but told Sacco he wanted to go again, so he went. That’s some confidence right there. He’s going to be a good one.

Youth was most definitely served on this roster, with big contributions coming from Jacob Trouba and none bigger than John Gibson.

The 19-year-old Pittsburgh native made 36 stops in the game to put forth his fifth stellar performance in his fifth start. The young goaltender finished the tournament with a 1.56 goals-against average and .951 save percentage over 308 minutes of action. He was simply the difference for the team.

Paul Stastny and Craig Smith each had two points in regulation, capping two of the most productive performances in the modern era of this tournament by any American.

Stastny finished second behind Petri Kontiola for the tournament lead with 15 points. Smith, meanwhile, led the tournament with 10 assists and finished with 14 points in World Championship play, good for third in the tournament.

The bronze also caps a remarkable year for USA Hockey. U.S. national teams won a medal in each of its World Championship events this year including gold at the Women’s Worlds and World Junior Championship, silver at the U18 Women’s and Men’s World Championships and Sled Hockey Worlds, bronze at the Men’s World Championship. That is a rare thing for any country to do, and apparently it hasn’t been accomplished since 2008 when Canada did it. Pretty incredible.

Odds and Ends

- Paul Stastny was the lone American named to the all-tournament team.

- Team USA won seven games, which ties the record for an American team at the World Championship. That record was set in 1939.

- Team USA’s best three players of the tournament as determined by the USA staff were Paul Stastny, Craig Smith and Justin Faulk. I was surprised Gibson wasn’t one, but technically he played in half the games, while the other three played in all 10, if you’re looking for justification. Still would’ve picked Gibson, though Faulk was quite good throughout the tournament and quite clearly was Team USA’s best D.

- Based on my research, John Gibson, Jacob Trouba and Alex Galchenyuk became the first Americans in history to earn medals at both the World Junior Championship and Men’s World Championship in the same year.

I’ll have much more recap coverage from the World Championship including extensive player notes. So check back soon for that.

Until then, you get the Sparkling Eagle:

Overall, it was an impressive effort from Switzerland tactically. The U.S. had so few quality chances due to Switzerland’s aggressiveness on pucks and a willingness to block shots. Team USA’s transition game and zone entries were also made more difficult by excellent defensive reads.

Switzerland seemed to own the middle of the ice, particularly in their own zone, which is not easy to do, but incredibly important. Even though there is more ice on an Olympic sheet, the game is mostly the same between the face off dots. Switzerland was able to push American forwards to the perimeter and forced the U.S. to take shots from low-percentage areas. The U.S. needed its D engaged offensively, but the Swiss forwards did a terrific job of taking away the points and blocking shots.

It really wasn’t a pretty game to watch, but Switzerland knew that’s how it had to be to beat a team with more speed and perhaps more overall skill. It worked perfectly.

A lot of credit goes to Switzerland’s Canadian-born head coach Sean Simpson. He had a terrific game plan and has gotten the most out of his players. He also made the gutsy call to stick Reto Berra in net despite the fact that Martin Gerber had been so good in the quarterfinal against the Czech Republic.

If the U.S. was making adjustments, they weren’t really showing up out there. That could have been a lot more due to the Swiss than anything else. However, the fact that the U.S. wasn’t able to generate more chances with some of the higher-skill guys on the roster is somewhat surprising. There just wasn’t a lot of creativity out there to try and break through the wall the Swiss seemed to set up just inside their blue line.

The U.S. also got into penalty trouble late in the game, though some of the calls were a tad questionable. Three consecutive penalty kills near the midway point of the third period really stalled the U.S. when it was still a one-goal game. John Gibson made some huge stops to keep his club alive, but three straight PKs really wore Team USA down it seemed.

It would be tough to say the U.S. played poorly, because they really didn’t. A few mistakes in transition led to the first two Swiss goals, but other than that, it was just a matter of not having enough to break through Switzerland’s shell.

The slow start in the first period, in which the U.S. was out-shot 18-9 wasn’t ideal, but they got out of the first 20 minutes with a 0-0 score.

Things were opening up a bit it seemed in the second period, but Switzerland got on the board first. Nino Niederreiter was the beneficiary of a nice Martin Pluss pass on a 2-on-1 off an Aaron Palushaj turnover. The Islanders prospect didn’t miss from close range as he beat Gibson with a wrist shot in the second period.

In the third, soon after the U.S. had just killed off its third-straight penalty, Julian Walker took a long feed, got a partial breakaway and surprisingly wound up from between the faceoff circles, putting his slap shot past John Gibson to make it 2-0 near the halfway point of the third period.

The U.S. kept clawing and generated some of its best chances of the game in the latter stages of the third period, but it was iced by Reto Suri with an empty-netter in the closing seconds.

John Gibson, who made 28 saves, was named Team USA’s player of the game. He really was sensational once again. The two goals he allowed were hardly on him as he faced two shooters with no one in front of them. The 19-year-old has been impressive in the tournament, which likely has caught the attention of the Anaheim Ducks, which selected him 39th overall in 2011. Gibson is proving to be one of the elite goaltending prospects in the world right now, so that’s a huge positive for both the Ducks and USA Hockey.

For Switzerland, it’s a monumental win for their program. I highlighted some of the reasons why in this piece for CBSSports.com. The Swiss will have a shot to claim their first ever gold medal at the World Championship Saturday against Sweden, and are assured at least their first medal in tournament play since 1953.

Switzerland’s win is also good for international hockey. There is increasing parity, which is a very good thing. The game is growing worldwide, so the more teams competing for medals is a great sign for the future.

The semifinal loss is a disappointing one for the U.S. after that remarkable 8-3 win over Russia, but Team USA still has a chance to capture its first medal since 2004 in the bronze-medal game against Finland. The Finns are coming off a crushing 3-0 loss to rival Sweden in the semis.

That game WILL BE carried live on NBC Sports Network at 10 a.m. ET Sunday, as confirmed by NBC.

Expect a full preview of that contest coming soon.

The game will air live on NBC Sports Network at 1 p.m. ET. It’s a late add to the TV schedule, so if it’s not showing up on your channel guide, fear not. It will be on live. Contradictory to information released Friday, the game will not be airing live on TV. Due to a conflict with the Indy 500 time trials and Preakness under-card races already scheduled to air, the USA-Switzerland game will be available on a live stream only and will air tape-delayed after Sharks-Kings Saturday night. This is unfortunate, but not unexpected. Still incredibly silly to air as much of the tournament as NBC did and not have the two most important games, as the gold-medal game, if the U.S. is in it, is also in question due to already-scheduled broadcasts.

After Team USA’s surprising drubbing of Russia in the quarterfinal, momentum is certainly swinging in the right direction. Things have been clicking for Team USA and after such a dominant performance, the confidence level should be high as well.

The U.S. will meet a foe that is probably more similar in skill level and style of play. The Swiss can grind it out with the best of ‘em, but the one major advantage Team USA should possess is its team speed. Grit is certainly helpful, but on the big ice, speed is the name of the game and why the U.S. has been able to outmatch most teams.

The big similarity however is the steady, sometimes spectacular play, in net for both clubs. Switzerland has ridden Martin Gerber most of the way and the former NHLer hasn’t disappointed, but it sounds like Calgary Flames prospect Reto Bera will get the nod in net Saturday. Bera has been strong in three appearances for Switzerland. Meanwhile, the U.S. will start 19-year-old John Gibson who was undaunted in starts against Finland and in the quarterfinal game against Russia. It could come down to one of the goalies flinching in what should be an even contest.

Team USA has an opportunity that doesn’t come around often. Winning the game guarantees the U.S. its first medal since 2004 and would put the Americans in a position to win the first non-Olympics World Championship gold medal since 1933. A win also might get some attention — not a lot — from NHL fans that regularly tune out the World Championship. Playing in the gold-medal game is at least noteworthy due to the sheer rarity of it at this event.

It’s not exactly a highly-anticipated event, but there are probably enough American hockey fans that would like to see the U.S. win gold, just because America likes winning at stuff. So playing for a shot at the gold medal and to capture a little extra attention might be nice.

So how do they get to that gold-medal game? Well, it won’t be easy, but the U.S. roster seems to be coming together at the exact right time.

Team USA’s solid 8-3 victory over Russia was far from a fluke. The better, more disciplined team won on Thursday and won big. The U.S did well by playing a very simple game and letting the Russian club make the mistakes and force plays. Not only that, Team USA was able to use it’s speed in transition and on the forecheck to keep Russia’s defense on its heels for a lot of the game. It can do the same to Switzerland.

The top line of Paul Stastny centering Craig Smith and David Moss had another stellar effort against Russia and will need to do more of the same in the semi. Stastny and Smith have 13 and 12 points respectively, which represent some of the highest totals over the last 30-plus years for an American in the tournament. If this line keeps clicking like it has, Switzerland is going to have an awfully tough time slowing them down.

The same goes for Team USA’s second scoring unit featuring Alex Galchenyuk and T.J. Oshie flanking Tim Stapleton. As Oshie and Galchenyuk adjusted after late arrivals to the team, both scored in the game against Russia and provided a spark. Having two games under their belt should make them all the more effective.

Defensively, the U.S. has a big advantage with a highly-mobile defense that should be able to mostly contain Switzerland’s more workmanlike offensive pressure. Team USA’s D corps had a terrific game against Russia, with Justin Faulk once again leading the way. Young defenseman Jacob Trouba also stepped up with his best performance of the tournament, while others like Matt Carle, Chris Butler and Erik Johnson all looked as good as they have.

Gibson has been nothing but good since he’s gotten the starting nod. He’s made one noticeable mistake perhaps in the pipes in 180 minutes of action. That’s not too bad. His even-keel in net is perfect for big games. He’s risen to the occasion almost every time he’s needed to for the U.S.

On the other side, Switzerland is a team mostly made up of unknowns to North American hockey fans. There are a few familiar names, but overwhelmingly, the Swiss roster is primarily players from European pro leagues. Three of the major impact players are names you’ll know, though.

Aside from Gerber, perhaps no player has meant as much to the team to date as Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi. The big man has been a two-way threat the entire tournament and one of the best blueliners there period. He has eight points, which is tied for the team lead, and averages nearly 20 minutes a game for the Swiss. He’ll be a big factor in the game in a variety of ways.

The Swiss also have gotten the most out of New York Islanders prospect Nino Niedereiter, who was sent to the Worlds even though the Isles made the playoffs. The youngster has four goals and two assists and is one of Switzerland’s more dynamic players.

Denis Hollenstein, who played for Kloten in the Swiss National League this year also has eight points and has a good mix of skill and grit. He’s another guy the U.S. will have to be aware of.

It’s somewhat surprising that Switzerland is reportedly starting Reto Berra in the semifinal and not Martin Gerber. Berra has made three appearances and has been very good, posting a 1.33 goals-against average and .957 save percentage. Berra was one of the pieces acquired by Calgary in its trade of Jay Bouwmeester. He played for HC Biel in Switzerland last year. So this is a big game for the 26-year-old.

One of the more intangible benefits the U.S. has over the Swiss is the amount of championship experience on the American roster. Nine players on Team USA have been in this position before at either at the Olympics, World Under-18 Championship or the World Juniors. Being in those situations certainly will help Saturday.

These elimination games are not easy to close out, so it’s going to take another strong effort from Team USA. It certainly has the skill to win the game, it just comes down to execution. Playing simply, but pushing the pace will be key. What probably started as a tournament to just get some extra work in for a lot of guys is now a very real opportunity to win a world title.

These two clubs should put on a good, entertaining game. The winner will meet either Sweden or Finland in the gold-medal game Sunday.

Expect a full recap after the game Saturday, with a quick look ahead to whichever medal game the U.S. ends up.

The U.S. Men’s National Team is on its way to the semifinals after a stunning rout of defending gold medalist Russia. Before Thursday, the U.S. had defeated Russia just four times in the history of the IIHF World Championship. It’s 8-3 win made it five and was the largest margin of victory in the history of the match-up.

Considering Russia’s skill and international experience, the defending champs were heavy favorites, especially after outlasting Team USA 5-3 in the prelims. Adding Alex Ovechkin only strengthened the high-octane offense that had led the tournament in goals coming into Thursday’s action.

It seemed like a mismatch on paper.

Team USA’s best line features Paul Stastny, Craig Smith and David Moss. Russia’s had Ilya Kovalchuk and Alexander Radulov. Russia also boasted Ilya Bryzgalov in net with 425 NHL appearances under his belt. The U.S. had 19-year-old John Gibson, who spent this season in the Ontario Hockey League.

It turned out it was a mismatch, only not the way anyone expected it to be.

Here are the highlights from today’s contest:

The U.S. was the better team for most of the game, actually. Jumping out to a 2-0 lead in the first period was a huge confidence booster.

The Stastny line was prevalent in the contest, winning a lot of puck battles and creating chances. It was that line that connected on the first goal, with Craig Smith working the puck along the walls and spinning to feed Stastny in the slot. When T.J. Oshie’s shot squeaked through Bryzgalov, it appeared as though the Americans were beginning to take control.

Russia did cut the deficit to 2-1 on an incredible feed from Sergei Soin to Alexander Svitov, most famous for being a spectacular NHL Draft bust (3rd overall to Columbus in 2001). That really seemed to give Russia some extra life after.

John Gibson made nine saves in the period, including doing the splits to rob Ovechkin on a 2-on-1 in the first minute of the game and later stuck out a pad to take one away from Radulov. Those were key stops that helped the U.S. set the tone in the period.

Two more goals in the second period gave the U.S. control again as Nate Thompson scored on a great effort to get to the net on a 2-on-1 and Alex Galchenyuk finished a beautiful passing play to make it 4-1. Bryzgalov was pulled in favor of Semyon Varlamov. In Bryzgalov’s defense, he was hung out to dry a few times.

The game got interesting early in the third period as Ovechkin had a rocket wrister beat Gibson just 1:33 into the frame. The puck came out of the net so fast, the referee and everyone else thought it hit the crossbar. It actually went off the back bar in the net and after video review was called a goal.

An incredibly soft penalty call on Stephen Gionta, who was given two minutes for roughing after a clean check, put the U.S. at a dangerous disadvantage. Russia’s top power-play unit with Kovalchuk and Radulov went out, but the U.S. countered on the PK as Ryan Carter forced a turnover, took the puck down the left side and put a wrister through Varlamov to make it 5-2. Russia struck back quickly on the same power play to make it 5-3 and keep things interesting with 15:20 remaining in regulation.

After that, it was all USA. Jacob Trouba scored on the power play with a perfect wrist shot through a screen. David Moss put one through Varlamov 1:45 later to make it 7-3. Twenty one seconds later, Stastny put an exclamation point on the game with his second of the afternoon. Ballgame.

Stastny finished with four points, while Craig Smith had a five assist day. John Gibson ended up with 31 saves, none bigger than those he made in the first period.

It won’t show up much in the box score, but Team USA’s defense had one of, if not its best game of the tournament. Justin Faulk led all Americans with 22:02 and was solid throughout. Trouba, who was scratched in Team USA’s last two games played physical and moved the puck extremely well, particularly on the power play. He also laid out Artem Anisimov with a reverse check as Anisimov went to make contact with Trouba. It was another tone-setting play. Here’s what it looked like:

@usahockey vs #teamrussia on #IIHFWorlds twitter.com/ElenaRusko/sta…

— Elena Rusko (@ElenaRusko) May 16, 2013

The U.S. didn’t beat itself out there, which is something Russia can force a lot of teams to do. It wasn’t a mistake-free game, but there weren’t a lot of those costly turnovers that Russia thrives on. Team USA applied heavy pressure in the offensive zone, was the more physical team and used its speed incredibly well. The U.S. made Russia play at the pace the U.S. wanted to play at.

It was also a big boost for the U.S. to get big days out of its two newest additions in T.J. Oshie and Alex Galchenyuk. Both were playing in just their second game with the club since joining after the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and both scored goals. Adding that type of scoring depth to the team hasn’t always paid off, but this year it is. That’s a huge bonus for a team that needed offensive help.

Gibson’s performance, as a 19-year-old playing against some of the best snipers in the world, was incredible. It’s not really a surprise though. That’s how he’s been throughout his very young international career. With the USA crest on, he’s been silly good. Gibson was the directorate award winner as best goalie at both the 2011 World U18 Championship and 2013 World Juniors. The Pittsburgh-native is emerging as the next great goalie prospect in the U.S. and he’s putting on a show once again.

The U.S. is now guaranteed to play for a medal for the first time since 2009. The U.S. has not won a medal of any color since 2004. USA Hockey has brought more talented rosters to this tournament in recent years (especially last year) and not made it past the quarterfinals. This very young team is light on World Championship experience, but it hasn’t mattered.

The consistent play by the top line has allowed the U.S. to have this type of success. The guys that have been there before have been the guys leading the way in all facets of the game. Perhaps the overwhelming factor in Team USA’s success is the competitiveness of the team. It seems as though most of the players want to be there and want to win. That’s not always true of these squads at the end of a long NHL season. Now they’ve got a chance to go home with some hardware.

Here are some odds and ends from Team USA’s 8-3 victory…

Team USA’s comments in the postgame mix zone:

It’s tough to take a ton of meaning out of a World Championship victory. The tournament is clearly not a best-on-best, but there is certainly some significance in the U.S. beating Russia in the quarterfinal. The U.S. has enough elite players right now to compete with other countries, but its the depth that has not been as prevalent.

In a lot of ways, this U.S. roster is mostly made up of second- or third-tier players in the U.S. talent structure. The fact that a team like this can compete with essentially Russia’s first- and second-tier talent is big.

At the end of the day, it’s one game, but the fact that it comes with such a young team, with somewhat limited World Championship experience, is highly intriguing. If the U.S. can find a way to the gold-medal game, it will be a somewhat monumental feat as USA Hockey’s depth begins to show.

Paul Stastny is having one of the most productive tournaments in USA Hockey history at the IIHF Worlds. He has 13 points on six goals and seven assists. Craig Smith has 12 with a team-best nine assists. Only six U.S. players have had 12 or more points in a World Championship since 1981, according to USA Hockey. Having two on one team is huge.

John Gibson‘s save percentage sits at .953 over three starts. He has a 1.33 goals-against average and one shutout as well. Those numbers are better than his IIHF career over three previous tournaments. Coming into the World Championship, Gibson had a 1.98 goals-against average and .935 save percentage in 14 appearances.

Joe Sacco lost his job days after being named U.S. Men’s National Team coach. That’s a tough pill to swallow right before having to lead a relatively unheralded U.S. roster in a tournament it rarely does well in. The structure of the lineup, the usage of the defense and the big decision to go with 19-year-old Gibson in net all were spot on. He and his staff, which includes Phil Housley, Tim Army and Danton Cole, have done an incredible job in this thing.

Team USA has not won gold at the IIHF World Championship since 1933, unless you count the 1960 and 1980 Olympics. Despite that lack of golden success at the Worlds, there are nine players on this club with previous gold medal success in the younger tournaments. Here’s the rundown…

Matt Carle (2002 U18, 2004 WJC), Justin Faulk (2010 U18), Alex Galchenyuk (2013 WJC), John Gibson (2011 U18, 2013 WJC), Matt Hunwick (2004 WJC), Erik Johnson (2005 U18, 2006 U18), Danny Kristo (2010 WJC), Jamie McBain (2006 U18), Jacob Trouba (2011 U18, 2012 U18, 2013 WJC)

Even those are from the U18s and WJC, it’s important at this stage of the tournament. Knowing how to close out in international hockey is important. With such parity in the tournament, that little extra experience helps.

The semifinal against Switzerland is going to be tough. The Swiss have yet to lose at the World Championship, so it should be a fun one. Check back soon for a full preview of Team USA’s big semifinal match-up.

The U.S. and Russia met earlier in the tournament, with the defending champs claiming a 5-3 victory. Team USA hung with the Russians all game, but it was Ilya Kovalchuk and Alexander Radulov leading a third-period surge that put Team Russia over the top.

It’s going to be a tough game and not a lot of folks are going to pick Team USA to come out with a win. The quarterfinals has been an annual stalling point for U.S. teams at this tournament, so it’s going to be an awfully tall order when the two teams square off at 6 a.m. ET Thursday on NBC Sports Network.

Since the two teams last met, the U.S. has added Alex Galchenyuk and T.J. Oshie, who now have each had a few days to adjust to the time difference and the bigger ice. Russia meanwhile made a big addition of its own Tuesday as Alex Ovechkin informed the media he would join his national team. Ovechkin’s hockey bag, however, did not arrive with him in Finland and could put his availability in jeopardy for Thursday.

The U.S. will be preparing as if Ovechkin can play, but they already had their hands full with a highly-skilled Russian team that can turn their offense up at will it seems. Russia also added Washington Capitals top prospect Evgeni Kuznetsov to the roster.

Led by Ilya Kovalchuk (13 points) and Alex Radulov (10 points), Russia has strength at the top of its forward lineup, so adding Ovechkin only makes it stronger. Among other players familiar to North American hockey fans, Artem Anisimov, Andrei Loktionov and Fedor Tyutin all play sizable roles as well. Kuznetsov could end up being a high-impact addition as he only has gotten two games under his belt so far.

In goal, it has been an NHL tandem, with Ilya Bryzgalov posting the better numbers. Semyon Varlamov is more likely to back up. Bryzgalov has a .934 save percentage and 1.33 goals-against average, so he’s been mostly solid for his homeland.

The Russian team does have some holes defensively and their offensive depth probably is below average compared to previous teams, but the U.S. will have to track plenty of offensive threats on the other side of the ice.

In the last meeting between the two clubs, the U.S. allowed a lot of chances against and were still gaining some familiarity with each other. With four games since the prelim match-up with Russia, the U.S. has built some confidence and consistency.

Additionally, John Gibson is going to start in net for Team USA, according to Joe Sacco, so that will be another key difference from the last meeting, when Ben Bishop was between the pipes. Bishop has had some clunker starts since, while Gibson has made two spectacular starts. Russia will easily be his toughest to date, though.

The 19-year-old Anaheim Ducks prospect isn’t normally one to be swallowed by the occasion, playing some of his best hockey in the highest-pressure games. He’s won gold at the U18s and WJC over the last two seasons because of that even-keel he brings. Having a .984 save percentage and 0.50 goals-against average should give him and his team some confidence, even against Russia.

Team USA will likely need its top two lines to contribute in a big way offensively if its going to have any chance against Russia.

The top line of Paul Stastny centering David Moss and Craig Smith has been outstanding throughout the tournament and was Team USA’s biggest threat throughout the game against Russia. Stastny leads Team USA with nine points in seven games, while Smith has seven and Moss has five.

Galchenyuk and Oshie joined Team USA’s second line with Tim Stapleton in Tuesday’s game against Slovakia. Despite playing with two new linemates, Stapleton was generating many chances in that game, so if they start clicking a bit more, the goals could come. Having two quality skill players join Stapleton, who is familiar with much of Russia’s roster from having played both in the NHL and KHL over the last two years, should be a big positive offensively. With Oshie and Galchenyuk better adjusted and with a practice under their belts, they should figure more prominently into the game than they did against Slovakia.

Defensively, the U.S. will probably be getting a lot of ice time for Erik Johnson and Justin Faulk. Both have looked solid in the tournament and could see heavy minutes against the Kovalchuk-Radulov line.

Russia uses the big ice incredibly well, so Team USA will have to counter with its strong team speed. The mobility on defense will help a lot as the U.S. has to find a way to keep Russia’s snipers to the outside and give Gibson good looks at everything.

Special teams will also loom large in the game as both clubs have strong power-play units. Team USA’s power play ranks second in the tournament, operating at a 32 percent clip. Russia is fourth with a 25 percent success rate. Additionally, Russia’s penalty kill has not been great in the tournament, ranking 13th out of 16 teams with five power-play goals against. Any penalty taken in this game by either team could heavily impact the score, so playing disciplined hockey is a must.

Team USA doesn’t have to be perfect against Russia, but will need its best game yet to come out with a win.

If the top two lines are making the most of their chances and getting a lot of pucks to the net early, the U.S. is going to have a chance to make things happen. Getting an early lead could end up being a big key as well. Getting all four lines applying pressure in the offensive zone will help a lot. The U.S. has the speed to make Russia’s D nervous, so playing at a high pace is going to help in all facets of the game.

Team USA also has to find a way to shut down Russia’s top line as Kovalchuk has looked all-world so far, with Radulov looking about the same. Ovechkin, if he’s able to play, might still need some time to adjust, but he’ll obviously be a player they’ll have to watch.

The American defense has to be responsible with the puck and make sure they’re making good reads. Russian teams at any level can be incredibly opportunistic and pounce on mistakes. The U.S. defense has been mistake prone at various times throughout the tournament, but can’t be Thursday.

Additionally, Gibson will have to be very good, but has only been that so far in tournament play. The youngster could end up being the difference if the U.S. defense gets a little too loose.

If the U.S. were able to pull off the upset, it would be a huge accomplishment. The Americans are certainly underdogs, but not so outmatched that they can’t compete. It should be an entertaining game if you’re able to wake up for it.

NBC Sports Network actually is airing all of the quarterfinal match-ups Thursday from the IIHF World Championship starting with USA-Russia at 6 a.m. ET, Switzerland-Czech Republic at 8:30 a.m., Finland-Slovakia at 11 a.m., and Canada-Sweden at 2 p.m. So if you’re home, there’s going to be plenty of good hockey on to divert you from the chores for a bit.

I’ll have a full recap after Team USA’s quarterfinal with Russia.

After Team USA’s improbable 5-0-0-1 start to the tournament, it seemed as though Slovakia posed a minor hurdle to overcome in winning the group. Considering that Slovakia lost to both Austria and Latvia and the fact that the U.S. had lost only to Russia prior to Tuesday seemed to give the Americans a decided advantage.

That apparently wasn’t the case. A bad start and a pair of disastrous goals allowed by Ben Bishop put the U.S. behind from essentially the puck drop and it would not recover.

The first goal came just 15 seconds into the game as Bishop hesitated when playing the puck, putting it right off Tomas Kopecky’s skate and right to Branko Radivojevic, who had an empty net. It’s really hard to understand what Bishop may have been thinking on that one.

The second one, well, that might be even more inexplicable.

The loss can’t be put solely on Bishop’s shoulders as the U.S. managed just one goal against a Slovakian team that gave up five (!) to Latvia. The U.S. did generate chances, but couldn’t seem to solve Rastislav Stana. So that’s not good either, but playing from behind the entire game on two goals that shouldn’t have happened changes the game. Slovakian players said after the game that the early goals gave them confidence that carried them through the game.

The only thing that makes the loss harder to swallow for the U.S. is the fact that John Gibson and his .984 save percentage over two starts was on the bench, while Bishop’s save percentage sank to .876. The NHL netminder has been given ample opportunity in the tournament making five of seven starts, but Bishop has yet to look his best in the tournament. Gibson meanwhile has two sound starts, which probably were each the best goaltending performances in the tournament for Team USA.

The loss isn’t crippling, obviously, as the U.S. was already assured a spot in the quarterfinals. The road to get to a medal game will be tougher now, however.

Because of the U.S. loss, Team USA goes from facing any one of Latvia, France or Germany (which all are now out of the medal round due to Slovakia’s regulation win), to meeting Russia (assuming Finland takes care of Latvia later Tuesday). Russia was able to outlast the Americans 5-3 earlier in the tournament and are one of the most overall skilled teams playing at the Worlds. It’s not a favorable draw.

The World Championship can be an unpredictable tournament. Who could’ve seen Switzerland going undefeated in a group with Canada, Sweden and the Czech Republic? Who could’ve seen Canada needing overtime to beat now-relegated Slovenia, a country that has 924 hockey players total? It’s just been that kind of tournament.

One thing that shouldn’t be unpredictable, however, is Joe Sacco’s decision for who starts in net the quarterfinal game. Gibson’s been the better of the two, has won on the international stage before and might allow his team to play with a bit more confidence after Bishop’s shaky Tuesday.

Team USA has out-skilled lesser opponents like Austria, Latvia and France, out-worked the host Finland and a solid German team, and hung right with defending gold medalist Russia in its lone loss.

As of Monday morning, Team USA has sole possession of first place in the Helsinki Group, leaving it well positioned for a more favorable draw in the quarterfinals (Germany or Finland). A win of any kind against Slovakia on Tuesday clinches the group for the U.S. A loss opens the door for a quarterfinal bout with either Finland or Russia, so it should be a spirited final preliminary-round game.

Catch up with Team USA’s progress at the World Championship after the jump with how they’ve had such success so far and some of the biggest storylines around the team to date.

There are several key factors at play for Team USA’s success. First off, the line structuring by Joe Sacco and his staff has paid off extremely well. Loading the top line with David Moss, Paul Stastny and Craig Smith has been extremely effective offensively and the trio gets a ton of ice time each game. Having a go-to line in short tournaments is huge. Depth is important, but strength at the top is crucial to tournament success.

Additionally, the younger players on the team are getting more guarded minutes, but being given a chance to contribute, which is huge for the latter stages of the tournament and future national teams.

The biggest factor in the team’s success however may be the fact the players seem to not only want to be there, but to compete. That’s not always been true of these World Championship teams and that has contributed to a near-decade without a medal. The biggest hurdles remain for Team USA in the medal round, but the fact that they’ve put together a tournament like this so far is huge.

Let’s be honest. This isn’t a tournament that captures a lot of attention. That means there’s little pressure on the players from a public opinion standpoint. They are really only accountable to themselves at this point and sometimes that can be a powerful motivator. It’s as if the team is playing with a bit of a chip on its shoulder and has something to prove, it seems.

One more preliminary game against Slovakia and a forthcoming quarterfinal match-up with a yet-to-be-determined opponent will give the U.S. ample opportunity to turn some heads.

Here’s a look at some of the best storylines so far for Team USA…

Paul Stastny’s Dominance

He wears the C for Team USA and has been its best player throughout the tournament. With nine points through six games, Stastny is the squad’s leading scorer and is tied for third overall in the tournament. He has been a factor in every game at both ends of the ice and is looking like the leader he’s been chosen to be.

With the Colorado Avalanche, Stastny is much-maligned for his offensive production not meeting his annual $6.6 million cap hit. He’s paid like a top-line scorer in the league, no question, but Stastny’s value far exceeds his offensive capabilities. Maybe not $6.6 million worth, but his actual talent is overshadowed by the contract.

In a top-line role in Helsinki, Stastny is thriving at both ends of the ice. He’s scored four goals, each of them important, and has also been showing off his two-way capabilities. Stastny is averaging 18:38 of ice time, which trails only top defenseman Justin Faulk.

Stastny is playing at an Olympic level in Helsinki, which should only solidify his position on the 2014 team for Sochi. He won’t be the top-line center there, but he should play a sizable role. He’s been tremendous internationally for USA Hockey and they’ll go with someone they trust.

Gibson is Golden

John Gibson’s place on the roster seemed more like a chance to give a young goalie more of a learning experience. With NHL goaltender Ben Bishop on the roster and AHL netminder Cal Heeter both on the roster, it wasn’t necessarily a sure thing Gibson would ever see the ice.

However, he’s dressed for every game and has made two sensational starts for the Americans. With his performance in those two starts, it’s very possible Gibson has earned the chance to be the No. 1 goalie going forward.

Gibson made his World Championship debut in front of a sold-out Hartwall Arena in Helsinki against host Finland. The Anaheim Ducks prospect didn’t flinch. He made several key stops throughout the game, including one that even made SportsCenter‘s top plays (at 1:11 of the video below) and allowed just one goal as Team USA pulled off the big 4-1 win.

Team USA went back to Bishop, who saw limited shots and gave up two goals against France in the very next game. Gibson then started against Germany, making 30 saves and recording a shutout in a 3-0 win.

Gibson’s numbers in two starts are quite good, obviously. In 120 minutes of action, he has seen 62 shots and made 61 saves for a .984 save percentage and 0.50 goals-against average.

Bishop has made four starts, including against weaker clubs in Latvia, France and Austria, and has been average at best. He has an .875 save percentage and 2.78 goals-against average in 237-plus minutes. While he’s the one with NHL experience, Bishop has been out-played by his young backup.

The big thing about Gibson is that he played seven high-pressure games on an Olympic-sized ice surface in Ufa, Russia, at the World Juniors this year. The wider rink is an adjustment for goalies and Gibson’s played on a lot of Olympic sheets over the last three years through the World Juniors and Under-18s. That experience, with his gold-medal pedigree from winning at both levels, is a big advantage over someone with more NHL experience.

Bishop will be given the benefit of the doubt as one of the NHL guys that said yes to USA Hockey when others said no. That said, Gibson looks like the guy that gives Team USA the best chance to win at this point.

Gibson should get the start against Slovakia Tuesday, just to be sure, and barring a poor performance, likely should have the keys to the car.

Galchenyuk, Oshie Added

With the Canadiens and Blues ousted from the playoffs, the U.S. squad got an influx of skill for the roster going forward.

Alex Galchenyuk, the Habs rookie sensation and a gold medalist with this year’s U.S. National Junior Team, arrived Sunday. He dressed for warm-ups, but did not play in the game against Germany to give him some rest after the long travel.

He apparently practiced with Tim Stapleton and Bobby Butler Monday, which had previously made up Team USA’s second scoring line with Hobey Baker winner Drew LeBlanc.

T.J. Oshie was also added to the roster this weekend. According to USA Hockey, Oshie was scheduled to arrive in Helsinki Monday evening. It is unclear if he will be available for Team USA’s game Tuesday, but obviously he should figure prominently in the medal round.

For Oshie, this could be a brief audition for a spot at the Olympic training camp. He’s certainly in the mix at forward and could do himself a favor by jumping in and contributing immediately. It’s a lot to ask after a grueling playoff series and season, but just saying yes to the invitation goes a long way to helping his cause.

Justin Faulk in Featured Role

The Carolina Hurricanes sophomore is proving to be Team USA’s go-to defenseman in all situations. He plays on all special teams and is the only player on the squad getting over 20 minutes of ice time.

He’s not been perfect in the tournament, but has still made a big impact for Team USA. He gets a lot of ice time against top lines, plays physical and continually shows some top-end puck moving capabilities.

The fact that Faulk is being utilized more than 2010 Olympian Erik Johnson, who has been quite good in Helsinki, and Matt Carle, the team’s elder statesman on the blue line, says a lot about the faith the team has in Faulk.

He has six assists so far to lead Team USA and his six points is tied for most among all defenseman in the tournament.

The 21-year-old defenseman is showing well for a spot at the Olympic orientation camp. He may not get an Olympic nod this year, but he has to be in the mix.

Erik Johnson Playing at Olympian Level

One of the more intriguing and perhaps encouraging developments is just how good Erik Johnson has been at the tournament. He has four points, including a pair of goals and is second on the squad with a plus-6 rating.

Johnson is excelling on the big ice, showing elite-level skating again and making plays all over the ice. He has played physical, sound defense and is doing quite well in transition going both ways.

His career has been sidetracked repeatedly by injuries, but there’s a lot left in the former No. 1 overall pick’s tank. He’s still young and showing that his game can still grow from here. He’s been really good and a big reason for Team USA’s success.

Odds and Ends

– Craig Smith has been outstanding once again at the World Championship. It’s his third straight year being on the team and he’s made a noticeable impact each time. His speed and tenacity on the puck have helped him to a seven-point tournament, good for second on Team USA behind linemate Paul Stastny.

– David Moss has five points, including three goals in the tournament. He’s gelled well with Stastny and Smith, giving Team USA that go-to scoring unit.

– Jacob Trouba was scratched in Team USA’s last game to make room for Galchenyuk, who only took warmup. It’s been a good experience for Trouba, but at times his youth has shown. The 19-year-old defenseman is coming off his freshman year of college, so it’s not a real surprise to see him struggle a bit with the adjustment. To his, and more directly to the coaching staff’s credit, he’s been given a lot of opportunities to get ice time and play in key situations. Trouba has an assist and seven shots on goal, while averaging 13:17 of ice so far. At times he’s struggled with the pace of decision-making, but not necessarily to an alarming degree. The Winnipeg Jets top prospect may be scratched more with the two big roster additions, but he’s played adequately and is getting some very valuable pro-level experience.

– The U.S. leads the tournament in scoring efficiency with a 13.77 team shooting percentage. Team USA’s 23 goals are second only to Switzerland, which is in the middle of a remarkable undefeated run in the Stockholm Group.

– Special teams have been a strong suit for the U.S. The power play has been deadly thus far, with Team USA scoring eight goals on the advantage for a 34.78 percent success rate, good for second in the tournament. The penalty kill has also been sound, allowing just two goals on the disadvantage, for a 90.48 penalty kill rate.

– Lastly, here’s an interview with Jim Johannson, Team USA’s GM and USA Hockey’s assistant executive director of hockey operations talking 2014 Olympics and World Championship.

This year’s Under-18s featured a bevvy of top draft talent from a variety of countries. It was one of the deepest fields in the tournament over the five years I’ve been there and it offered an incredibly intriguing evaluation point.

The event also signaled the end of a dynasty, with the U.S. falling just one goal short of its bid for a fifth consecutive gold medal at the World Under-18s. Canada downed Team USA 3-2 in a thrilling gold-medal game.

While the U.S. squad didn’t have the star quality of previous years, many of the draft-eligibles on the squad acquitted themselves well. Coming up after the jump, post-tournament reports on each of Team USA’s draft-eligible players including projected ranges for their selection.

Players listed in alphabetical order. Only 2013 Draft Eligibles included.

Defense

Gage Ausmus – Though he was overshadowed by teammate Steven Santini, Ausmus was an integral part of the U.S. defense. He averaged more than 21 minutes a game and often drew opponents’ top lines in match ups. Ausmus showed high-end defensive sense and anticipation skills. He was able to use his body well defensively and while not a high-end skater, he uses his feet very well. Ausmus was also solid in making effective zone exits with the puck on his stick or a good first pass in transition. His footspeed could use some work, but he plays a physical brand of defense and is tough to beat one-on-one. There’s not a ton of offensive upside, but his ability to defend with some nastiness is going to draw considerable amount of interest. U18WC Statline: 7 GP, 0-2–2, 6 PIM, +5. Projected Range: Fourth to Fifth Round

Will Butcher – A solid offensive defenseman, Butcher saw a lot of important minutes for Team USA and was often on the ice in must-score situations. He was a weapon on the power play and also showed improved decisionmaking with the puck on his stick. Butcher has good puck skills, is a high-end skater and possesses good distribution skills. His defensive game isn’t the strongest, but he showed an ability to make up for his lack of size with good anticipation and a strong defensive stick. He was very difficult to beat one-on-one and was able to hurry back. Butcher is prone to take risks with the puck and occasionally got burned, but he is effective enough offensively for that to be forgivable. The size is going to concern scouts, but there is upside in his offensive capabilities, which were fully on display in Sochi. He’s a tough guy to project, but he’s worth taking a chance on. U18WC Statline: 7 GP, 2-2–4, 2 PIM, +2. Projected Draft Range: Late Third Round

Connor Clifton — Undersized, but physically strong, Clifton showed off some solid offensive capabilities, but some questionable decisions throughout the tournament make him more challenging to project. Clifton has a terrific shot from the point and is able to get pucks to the net well. Sometimes he got lost in the offensive zone, however, leading to turnovers and odd-man rushes the other way. A little too go-for-broke at times, Clifton will need to improve his decision-making in the future. That said, the offensive capabilities and his desire to play a mean, physical game despite his size are attractive qualities. Unafraid to mix it up and play the body first, there’s plenty of upside in Clifton and that could lead to a team taking a later-round stab at that potential. U18WC Statline: 7 GP, 1-0–1, 2 PIM -3. Projected Draft Range: Fifth to Sixth Round.

Clint Lewis — Despite suffering an injury on his first shift in the team’s exhibition game, Lewis played through some pain to have a mostly effective tournament for Team USA. A big, strong defender, Lewis was very good at containing opponents and limiting chances against. He showed good footwork in his own zone and stepped up physically on many occasions. His ice time was limited due to the injury, but he seemed to make the most of every shift. A lack of offensive upside may give scouts some pause, but he showed a desire to play an NHL-style brand of defense in Sochi and should be on enough radars for a late-round selection. As well as he played while not at 100 percent, it would’ve been interesting to see what he could have done fully healthy. U18WC Statline: 7 GP, 0-0–0, 0 PIM, -2. Projected Draft Range: Sixth to Seventh Round

Steven Santini — For my money, Santini was Team USA’s most valuable player and it seems the directorate agreed as he was named the tournament’s best defenseman. That despite not having any points. Santini was dominant defensively throughout the tournament. When he was on the ice, it was very difficult for the opposing team to score. In fact, Santini was only on the ice for a grand total of two goals against and only one was at even strength. He saw the toughest competition and averaged a team-high 23:22 per game. Santini played 31-plus minutes in the semifinal win against Russia and looked every bit like a first-round caliber defender. A terrific skater, Santini doesn’t loose many races to loose pucks. He takes good angles, closes gaps at a high level and does a great job with positioning and keeping everything in front of him. Though he lacks offensive prowess, he moves the puck well enough. There’s a lot to be said about being an elite defender, though, and that’s what Santini showed he can be. It was a completely different game when he was on the ice. U18WC Statline: 7 GP, 0-0–0, 0 PIM, +8. Projected Draft Range: Late First to Early Second Round

Keaton Thompson — Thompson’s been on a slight slide on some draft rankings and his performance in Sochi is unlikely to curtail it. Thompson’s ice time fluctuated over the course of the tournament, as his top-four minutes slowly became closer to that of a fifth or sixth defenseman at times. Thompson has tools as he skates well and has shown a willingness to be physical. He also has some solid offensive upside, but he didn’t have ample opportunity to display it at the World Under-18s. Prone to some poor decision making with the puck, Thompson seemed to lack confidence while carrying it. At times he was overmatched against top lines defensively as well. The fact is, Thompson still has a lot of upside. The tools are there to be a very gifted defenseman, but he’s somewhat in a holding pattern. Earlier in the year he was beginning to project as a potential first-rounder and was one of my favorites early on. The tools are all still there. It’s just a matter of putting them all together with some improved decisions and confidence. He has the ability, but it could take a little time for it all to materialize. 7 GP, 0-1–1, 2 PIM, -2. Projected Draft Range: Mid-Third Round.

Tommy Vannelli — There is a lot of skill and upside in Vannelli, who perhaps should have spent this last year playing junior hockey. Some of the decisions he made looked like the kind he could get away with in high school, but not at the elite U18 level. That said, the puck skills and skating are both high-end. Vannelli has pretty good offensive instincts and does a nice job when jumping into the play. On a few occasions, he got caught too deep and was unable to recover on a few goals against. He’s going to take risks with the puck, which is fine for someone with his offensive capability. Vannelli needs to put on a lot more muscle , but he has a good frame to build on. He has a good shot, solid distribution skills and I thought his puckhandling was at a fairly high level. As he gets challenged more in college, he should develop into a very good two-way defenseman with top-end offensive capabilities. He should be fun to watch grow as a player as his upside is immense. 7 GP, 2-1–3, 0 PIM, E. Projected Draft Range: Late-Second to Early-Third Round

Forwards

Evan Allen – Over his two years at the NTDP, Allen was mostly a goal scorer and he certainly has the shot to fit the bill. He was a bit quiet at the World Under-18s however, potting two goals over the course of the tournament. Allen does a nice job of getting to the scoring areas and usually gives himself a chance to generate something. His puck skills and skating are adequate, but aren’t necessarily projectable NHL skills. That said, he has pretty good offensive instincts and the other elements of his game could come along. He’s got enough of a tool set to get drafted and has an opportunity to grow into an NHL-caliber player. U18WC Statline 7 GP, 2-2–4, 0 PIM, -2. Draft Range: Fifth to Sixth Round

J.T. Compher — Between him and Tyler Motte, it would be tough to pick which was Team USA’s most impactful forward. Compher tied Motte for the team scoring lead with seven points (3-4). Compher brought a lot of energy and played a ton of tough minutes for the U.S. in Sochi. He scored a few huge goals including the game-winner in the semifinal shootout against Russia. Additionally, Compher was one of the more reliable defensive forwards as an expert penalty-killer and tenacious back-checker. Compher played physical, drew penalties, got under opponents skin and simply made plays. He average more than 20 minutes a night and often found himself matched up against top lines. Compher is a good skater who competes and plays with a lot of grit. He uses his speed to create and has good enough puck skills to generate offense. His shot is heavy and accurate. Compher is very much a complete hockey player. 7 GP, 3-4–7, 8 PIM, +2. Projected Draft Range: Late-First to Early-Second Round.

Dawson Cook – Snubbed in Central Scouting’s final rankings, Cook acquitted himself well at the World Under-18 Championship in a bottom-six role. A strong forward, with sound defensive capabilities and a knack for killing penalties, Cook can play physical, but is also responsible. He’s tough to knock off the puck and goes to the hard areas of the ice. There’s not a ton of offensive tools to speak of with Cook, but he certainly handles the puck well enough and uses his frame to create time and space. A little extra snarl to his defensive game could go a long way. He may be a bit of a long shot to get picked, but a late-round stab at Cook may prove fruitful in the long run. U18WC Statline: 7 GP, 0-0–0, 2 PIM, E. Projected Draft Range: Seventh Round, if drafted.

Hudson Fasching — On a bit of a slide down the rankings, Fasching gave some good reminders as to why he shouldn’t fall past the second round on draft day. While he may not have the productivity of a first-round pick, Fasching’s potential remains high to be a solid player at the professional level. He led Team USA with six assists, almost all of which were hard-earned. Fasching drew a lot of contact throughout the tournament and oftentimes was difficult to displace from the puck. He got better around the net and utilized his physical strength to absorb contact and in turn, create space for his linemates. Tyler Motte was a big beneficiary of Fasching’s work down low. On top of using his size, Fasching showed above average puck skills in possessing the puck and getting around defenders to give himself a shot on goal or make a good feed. Overall, the tournament was a huge showing for Fasching, who remains one of the top Americans eligible for this year’s draft. U18WC Statline: 7 GP, 0-6–6, 4 PIM, +4. Projected Draft Range: Second Round

John Hayden — Drawing more buzz from his high ranking from Central Scouting, Hayden showed that he is a future power forward in the NHL. It wasn’t a great overall tournament for Hayden, whose impact ended up being less than expected, but he got good minutes and showed some of the skills that will translate to the next level. Hayden is a hard-working, physical forward who has a great power move to the net. He uses his frame well in all areas of the ice and battles in all situations. Central might have been a bit overly-optimistic with its ranking, but not by an overwhelming margin. His puck skills may not project at a first-round level, but clearly his size, physicality and strength do. It’s going to be interesting to see where teams slot him now. U18WC Statline: 7 GP, 1-1–2, 2 PIM, E. Projected Draft Range: Mid-Second to Early-Third Round

Tyler Kelleher – As the NTDP’s leading scorer this season, Kelleher probably needed to be a little more consistently productive in the tournament, but he did manage six points to tie for third on the team in Sochi. His puck skills and speed are notable, but at times the size factor came into play for the 5-6 Kelleher. He still did a good job of getting to the net front and actually ended up scoring a couple of the tougher goals of the tournament off of net-front scrambles. He wasn’t ranked by Central Scouting and it’s going to be tough for a lot of teams to overlook his size. He has the puck skills to play at a high level, but we’ve seen a lot of similar players get passed over. U18WC: 7 GP, 3-3–6, 2 PIM, +2. Projected Draft Range: Seventh Round, if drafted.

Anthony Louis — Though similarly sized to Kelleher, Louis is drawing a touch more interest from scouts and still appears to have an outside shot at getting drafted. The big thing about Louis is that he engages very well for a player at his size. He showed some good creativity, creating time and space for himself and teammates and making good feeds in the offensive zone. He scored the biggest goal of Team USA’s tournament with the late game-tying marker against Russia in the semifinal. Louis somehow dove and connected with the puck to knock it under the Russian goalie in a net-front scramble. That goal was somewhat indicative of Louis’ tournament. He wasn’t afraid to pay the price for offense and at times he was rewarded. He’ll still have the doubts about his size, but his competitiveness could win a team over late. U18WC Statline: 1-3–4, 2 PIM, -1. Projected Draft Range: Late-Sixth to Early-Seventh Round

Sean Malone — A highly-competitive center, Malone was one of Team USA’s most reliable faceoff men and took many key draws. Additionally, he was very good at both ends of the ice, showing some grit and tenacity. Malone is a good skater with some subtle skill. He has the ability to walk defensemen, but also relies on his physical strength to get an advantage. Malone played physical and eventually earned a promotion to Team USA’s second line, where he seemed to excel. Though his numbers weren’t spectacular with just one assist, Malone was able to impact the game in other important ways. He’s given himself a good shot to get picked in June. U18WC Statline: 7 GP, 0-1–1, 0 PIM, -2. Projected Draft Range: Fifth to Sixth Round

Mike McCarron — A revelation in the tournament, McCarron should continue his rise up many draft boards. At 6-5, 225, he doesn’t have to do much to be noticeable, but it seemed he was doing something every time out. Not just a bruising forward, McCarron showed terrific skating and puck skills. He was incredibly difficult to out battle along the boards and while he didn’t throw his weight around a ton, he showed he can be physical. McCarron has elite puck skills for a player of his size and showed both a willingness to distribute and a lack of fear of his shot, which is quite good. His footwork is solid enough and improving. There’s a good chance a team is going to take the risk late in the first round just because of McCarron’s immense upside. His decision-making could improve a bit, but the physical tools are right where they need to be at this point. McCarron could turn into a heck of a pro hockey player down the line. U18WC Statline: 7 GP, 3-2–5, 14 PIM, E. Projected Draft Range: Late-First to Early-Second Round

Tyler Motte — One of Team USA’s best players in the tournament, Motte was making an impact in all zones and in all situations. He led Team USA with five goals, but was also an expert penalty killer for a team that allowed just two power-play goals against. He did a lot of the little things like blocking shots, jumping passes and stripping a lot of pucks to show that despite his relative lack of size, he can contribute defensively. Motte also has very good speed and solid puck skills to go along with a good, accurate shot. The size factor may hurt his final draft position, but whoever selects him is going to get an incredibly competitive forward with some good offensive upside. U18WC Statline: 7 GP, 5-2–7, 4 PIM, +5. Projected Draft Range: Third Round

Goalies

Hunter Miska — Team USA’s lone draft-eligible netminder did not dress during the tournament. Projected Draft Range: Not drafted.

The World Championship has been mostly a disappointment over the years for Team USA. The event is not exactly a desirous one for players coming off the end of a long NHL season. A different set of circumstances this year with the lockout made for a potentially more favorable selection process for USA Hockey, but as the roster seems to indicate, the opposite may have been true.

The real issue with this event is it should be a showcase of the increasing depth in the American player pool in the NHL. However, it’s only shown of late that there’s still a long way to go in the quest to be a true hockey superpower. The U.S. may never match the depth of Canada, but fielding a team that can compete for a gold medal in this event despite heavy participation in the Stanley Cup Playoffs would be a major indicator of increased success in the country’s hockey development.

That could come in due time, but it’s not here yet. Team USA has a fairly tough preliminary schedule and a young roster. Making it to the qualifying round would be a solid accomplishment and the quarterfinals is not out of the question, but it’s going to take a pretty inspiring effort.

Coming up after the jump, an in-depth look at Team USA.

Coaching

Joe Sacco was picked to lead the U.S. squad and while his NHL stint with the Colorado Avalanche was sub-par, he’s a good man for the World Championship job. He has a wealth of international experience as a player and he’s been an assistant coach at this level.

There may be some concern about his mentality heading into the tournament, having just lost his job in Colorado, but this event could also be part of his audition for his next gig. Sacco is a professional and will likely put his best into Team USA.

He’s joined by his Colorado assistant Tim Army; Phil Housely, who led the U.S. National Junior Team to gold in 2013; and Danton Cole, who coached the U.S. Men’s National Under-18 Team to gold in 2012. Avalanche video coach Pete Rogers will also be on staff in that same capacity.

Goaltending

Team USA has a relatively inexperienced goaltending group, with Ben Bishop the only player with time spent in the NHL. It’s tough to say if that’s a good thing or a bad thing. Experience goes a long way as Jimmy Howard proved last year, coming up big in many situations once he arrived. However, there’s a certain hungriness that could play to Team USA’s advantage. These guys are still at the beginning of their careers and have a lot to prove.

Ben Bishop — Tampa Bay Lightning — Bishop is almost assured the starting position for Team USA. He has 45 NHL games under his belt, which isn’t a lot, but the most among the three goaltenders brought on. He’s going to get a lot of work at this tournament, but coming off his busiest NHL season with 22 appearances, he should be ready to go.

John Gibson — Kitchener Rangers — The Anaheim Ducks prospect was the MVP of the U.S. National Junior Team at the World Juniors and has two gold medals under his belt with one at the WJC this year and the 2011 World U18. Because of his youth, he’s likely along for the ride more than anything, but there is reason to give him some minutes if its at all possible. If this is about helping him gain more international experience, it would be great to see him get a game.

Cal Heeter — Adirondack Phantoms — Coming off his first professional season, the Philadelphia Flyers prospect has a big developmental opportunity with Team USA. Though his numbers were very average this year in the AHL, Heeter had a sparkling career at Ohio State and has shown some great professional upside. Getting a few games against top-end professionals in this tournament could be good for him. The biggest thing is that Heeter is a guy that wants to be here, so the effort will match the enthusiasm.

Defense

While not awe-inspiring, Team USA’s defense is a fairly well constructed group. It’s a young corps, with 28-year-old Matt Carle the oldest of the blueliners. There’s a good mix of international and NHL experience, however, and that could go a long way. There are enough guys on this blue line that can help put up points and move the puck well in transition, so this should be at the very least a serviceable defensive unit.

Chris Butler — Calgary Flames — A returnee from last year’s club that fell just short against Finland in the quarterfinals, Butler has some solid experience. He also has 267 NHL games to aid that experience. A defensive defenseman who can be physical, Butler is a solid depth player for Team USA. Butler’s last shift last year didn’t go so great, as he and fellow returnee Jeff Petry were caught with their pants down on the game-winning goal against Finland in the quarterfinal. It was a mistake he’ll have an opportunity to make up for this year.

Matt Carle — Tampa Bay Lightning — One of the most experienced players on this blue line, Carle has an opportunity to be a leader on this U.S. squad. Also, as a potential bubble player for a spot on the Olympic team, Carle has reason to bring his best at the Worlds. The former Hobey Baker winner and National Team Development Program alum is a high-end puck mover who should excel on the European ice. He is easily a top-pairing guy on this team and should see a lot of minutes.

Justin Faulk — Carolina Hurricanes — A breakout performer on last year’s World Championship team, Faulk is likely to be a key guy on the back end for the U.S. once again this year. At 20 years old last year, Faulk may have been Team USA’s best defenseman with four goals and four assists. He should see big minutes in his second turn here and could help better position himself in a hunt for a roster spot for Sochi. It’s within his reach.

Matt Hunwick — Colorado Avalanche — One of the players Joe Sacco can look to on the bench with some familiarity, Hunwick provides steady depth for Team USA on the blue line. More offensive in his time at the University of Michigan, Hunwick has turned himself into a relatively reliable defender and still has good puck-moving capabilities. He may see some quality time due to Sacco’s trust.

Erik Johnson — Colorado Avalanche — The lone Olympian on the back end, Johnson has a wealth of international experience and undoubtedly will be a minutes eater for Team USA at the Worlds. Coming off another injury-shortened season, Johnson is still struggling to live up to the promise of a former first-overall pick. Because of those lofty expectations, it often gets lost that Johnson is still a steady defender, who can be physical and has good enough offensive abilities to contribute at the other end. He’ll be playing a big role in what he may hope will serve as a refresher on what made him an Olympian.

Jamie McBain — Carolina Hurricanes — A solid puck-mover with good NHL experience, McBain may get a run at some top-four minutes at times with Team USA. He’s a good skater and was a weapon on the larger ice surface during his time at the University of Wisconsin. The European-style game should be a benefit to McBain, who is a solid skater and sees the ice well. Don’t be surprised if he exceeds expectations at Worlds.

Jeff Petry — Edmonton Oilers — Another returnee from last year’s squad, Petry had a relatively good tournament up until the final game against Finland. It was Petry who left the net-front open for Finland’s game-winning goal with just eight seconds remaining in regulation to end Team USA’s tournament. A year older and wiser, with another NHL season under his belt should help as Petry did have five points last year and played well for the most part. He has some offense to his game and could be a solid contributor for the U.S., while providing some depth.

Jacob Trouba — Winnipeg Jets — Fresh off an All-American season at the University of Michigan as a freshman, signing his first NHL contract and winning World Junior gold, Jacob Trouba is ready for this next step. Expect him to get some regular playing time as he certainly has earned the chance to prove himself. He’s won gold in each of the last three years with two U18 golds and this year’s World Juniors, making him one of just five American men with three IIHF golds. Trouba brings some snarl, responsible defensive play and some significant offensive potential. His inclusion on the roster will help Team USA.

Forwards

To be quite frank, this forward group doesn’t look great as a whole. There’s a lot of youth and inexperience here, combined with a relative lack of true scoring talent. Besides Paul Stastny, there isn’t much here in regards to proven track record of offensive prowess at a high level. There are several players that have played in the World Championship before and the young guys brought in may be able to contribute offensively. A lot is going to have to go right for Team USA to be able to score with any amount of consistency, so there’s a real concern here.

Nick Bjugstad — Florida Panthers — Bjugstad scored his first NHL goal in his last of 11 games with the Panthers this season. The former first-round pick spent most of the year at the University of Minnesota, compiling his second consecutive 20-plus-goal season. A veteran of two World Junior Championships, Bjugstad has some international experience to come in handy as well. While Bjugstad has first-round pedigree and a solid collegiate career in his past, it’d be tough to see him as a top-six center at this level just yet. He’ll likely get an opportunity at some point, but he’ll have to prove himself early. At his best, he uses his size and speed well and has a terrific shot. The U.S. will need goals out of him.

Bobby Butler — Nashville Predators — A tremendous college and AHL player, Butler is still trying to find his way in the NHL. Being a part of this U.S. squad could be a good opportunity for Butler. Though he’ll likely be not much more than a depth player for the U.S., he has some good offensive skills that could come to fruition on international ice. He’s another one of those guys that is more likely to seize the opportunity with so much to prove.

Ryan Carter — New Jersey Devils — Carter is a solid addition for this U.S. outfit, just a year removed from a run to the Stanley Cup Final. The World Championship is somewhat like a playoff series, where every game matters and they come in quick succession. This tournament is a grind and a guy like Carter knows how to handle it. He’s got World Championship experience and his name on the Stanley Cup (with Anaheim). Having a veteran presence like his makes him a key asset in the lineup.

Stephen Gionta — New Jersey Devils — Another player with solid Stanley Cup Playoffs experience after last year, Gionta might find himself thrust into a bigger role for this U.S. team. With speed and tenacity, Gionta can get the job done at both ends of the ice. He’s had to claw his way to the NHL, but is making the most of his time there. His international experience goes back some years to the U18s, but he could be a soild contributor for this U.S. team.

Danny Kristo — Hamilton Bulldogs — The Montreal Canadiens might not have won the Hobey Baker this year, he was one of the very best in college hockey this year at North Dakota. He had a career year with 26 goals and 52 points. With his speed and ability to score, Kristo very well could be a top-six forward for this U.S. team on the wing. He won gold at the 2010 World Junior Championship and was a key player there. Kristo might be a bit young, but the way he plays the game could make him a weapon for this U.S. squad.

Drew LeBlanc — Chicago Blackhawks — Fresh off the Hobey Baker win and his NHL debut after signing a free agent contract, LeBlanc now gets his first crack at a U.S. National Team. With high-end playmaking ability and solid skill, LeBlanc very well could be a point-producer for this U.S. squad. He led the nation with 37 assists this year in leading St. Cloud State to the postseason and made a huge impact on every game. If he can adjust to the international game quickly, he should see more ice time down the stretch.

David Moss — Phoenix Coyotes — A former 20-goal scorer in the NHL, Moss is among the most experienced in the pros for Team USA’s forward crop. Though his production is down in recent years, Moss offers Team USA good size up front. He has good enough defensive capabilities to play some of the tougher minutes for the U.S. and should provide some leadership. Moss does have World Championship experience as well, so he’ll know what is going to be expected of him.

Aaron Palushaj — Colorado Avalanche — After being unable to crack the Montreal Canadiens lineup consistently enough, Palushaj got a second chance in Colorado. He posted nine points in 25 games with the Avs. Palushaj has been solid at the AHL level and in college hockey. He also has some World Junior experience, which could help. I’m not entirely sure where he’d fit in the lineup, but he could probably be plugged in a variety of spots.

Craig Smith — Nashville Predators — Smith may end up being the No. 2 center for this U.S. club. He’s played in the last two World Championships, performing quite well in both, so that experience is very helpful. He had some good linemates the last few years and won’t have the quality surrounding him as he has recently. That said, Smith has good speed and can provide offense, while not lacking in defensive capability. It seems weird to say it, but even at 23, he’ll have to be a leader on this team. Smith has been here and knows how to succeed at the World Championship level.

Tim Stapleton — Dynamo Minsk — After a somewhat successful NHL campaign with Winnipeg last year, Stapleton cashed in with the KHL’s Dynamo Minsk. He had 24 goals and 40 points in 52 games this year for Dynamo and has a wealth of experience playing abroad. That all could help as Stapleton is the lone U.S. player that played outside of North America this year. He also has World Championship experience and may be thrust into a top-six role for this team.

Paul Stastny — Colorado Avalanche — Perhaps the marquee player of this roster, Stastny has Olympic and World Championship experience to draw from. He was terrific for last year’s squad with nine points in eight games and will almost certainly be the No. 1 center this year. Without the supporting cast he had at last year’s event, a lot is going to rest on Stastny’s shoulders to carry. He’ll likely see the most ice of any forward and play in every situation from power play to penalty kill. It’s going to be a busy tournament for Stastny, who may have eyes on a second run at the Olympics.

Nate Thompson — Tampa Bay Lightning – Another returnee from last year’s squad, Thompson was a key piece of the fourth line that performed so well last year. He had two goals and played incredibly well defensively, so he might end up being utilized even more this time around. He had a solid year in Tampa and will likely be given a chance to get some special teams time at the Worlds. His experience is much needed in this forward group.

Outlook

With such a young team and a relative lack of experience throughout the lineup, it’s going to be tough for Team USA to make it a long way in the tournament. Even making it out of the group stage could be a challenge.

The IIHF’s format has the top four teams in each group advancing to the quartefinals. Team USA’s group, Group B, consists of Russia, Finland, Germany, Slovakia, Latvia, France and Austria. Basically, Team USA has to find a way to be better than Germany, Latvia, France and Austria to advance and the U.S. should be. Beyond that, however, it’s a bit of a crap shoot. Team USA has the tougher of the two groups, it appears, so if it can get to the quarterfinals and get a decent draw from the other bracket, there’s a chance to advance. Predicting a medal would be a reach for this club.

If Team USA can get off to a good start and win the games you’d expect a U.S. team to be able to win — versus France, Austria and Latvia — then it’s mostly a success. Getting to the quarterfinals would probably be good enough with this group. If the squad struggles early, it could be a long two weeks for the guys who decided to sign on to play.

How to Follow Team USA

All of Team USA’s games will either air live on NBC Sports Network, or will be available via live stream. All USA games will also re-air on NBC Sports Network on tape delay. NBC Sports Network is also committed to airing all of the quarterfinal games. The semifinals and medal games are still to be determined on what NBCSN will air.

Here’s the complete TV/Streaming schedule for NBC Sports Network (All Times ET):

Sat., May 4 — USA vs. Austria — 5:15 a.m. (TV/Stream)
Sun., May 5 — USA vs. Latvia — 1:15 p.m. (Stream only)
Tues., May 7 — USA vs. Russia — 1:15 p.m. (TV/Stream)
Wed., May 8 — USA vs. Finland — 1:15 p.m. (TV/Sream)
Sat., May 11 — USA vs. France — 5:15 a.m. (TV/Stream)
Sun., May 12 — USA vs. Germany — 9:15 a.m. (Stream only)
Tues., May 14 — USA vs. Slovakia — 5:15 a.m. (TV/Stream)

Thurs., May 16 — Quarterfinals — 6 a.m., 8:45 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m. (TV only)*
* – U.S. game will also be streamed live, if they’re in

I won’t be recapping every U.S. game, but will have posts throughout the tournament to update and analyze Team USA’s progress throughout the tournament.