The Detroit Red Wings\u2019 status as the No. 1 team in the Eastern Conference this morning didn\u2019t help them earn any extra roster spots at next month\u2019s best-on-best tournament at the Winter Olympics.<\/p>\n
Dylan Larkin (USA), Lucas Raymond (Sweden) and Moritz Seider (Germany), the three clear choices, were the only Red Wings named to Olympic rosters.<\/p>\n
Alex DeBrincat, on a pace to score 40-plus goals for a third time in his career, has played impressive enough this season to deserve consideration, as did Patrick Kane based on his long history of answering the call and playing well for the Americans in international competition.<\/p>\n
But in the end, GM Bill Guerin thought he had better options than DeBrincat. And Kane\u2019s candidacy was undermined by being injured twice already this season.<\/p>\n
Guerin said from the beginning he was building a team, not picking the most skilled players. In other words, he wanted to make sure he had size, grit, guys who check effectively, etc.<\/p>\n
He proved his commitment to not picking a team based on offensive stats.\u00a0 Guerin didn\u2019t include Dallas forward Jason Robertson who leads all American players this season with 48 points. He also ranks second among U.S. players with 24 goals, one behind Minnesota\u2019s Matt Boldy.<\/p>\n
By the way, DeBrincat (41 points) is the fourth-highest points guy among the American players this season.\u00a0 Montreal forward Cole Caufield didn\u2019t make the U.S. team either and he has 40 points.<\/p>\n
No Call for Edvinsson<\/p>\n
Detroit Hockey Now had heard that the Swedes gave serious consideration to Simon Edvinsson. They believed his size and physical play could help the team considerably.<\/p>\n
But the Swedes opted to go with experience, like Oliver Ekman Larsson, 34. His selection was considered mildly surprising.<\/p>\n
Another Olympic decision by the Swedes is sure to catch the attention of Red Wings fans: Minnesota Wild goalie Jesper Wallstedt<\/a> was named as one of the Swedish goalies.<\/p>\n