By Jacob Messing

After a fifth-place finish in 2017, Team USA has just four returning members from last year’s tournament, including the squad’s three top scorers and amplified by Chicago Blackhawks star Patrick Kane.

Head coach Jeff Blashill of the Detroit Red Wings also returns after leading the team to a 6-1 record in pool play. A 2-0 loss to Finland in the quarterfinal ended their tournament in fifth place.

Calgary Flames winger Gaudreau paced last year’s team with 11 points (6 G, 5 A) in eight games, finishing eighth in tournament scoring. Red Wings center Larkin had 10 points of his own (2 G, 8 A) while winning 62.3 percent of his faceoffs (91 of 146).

“Playing into May is what it’s all about,” Larkin told Ted Kulfan of Detroit News. “I’m young, I have a lot of energy and passion, and I want to keep on playing.”

Larkin, 21, led the Red Wings in scoring this season with an intriguing 63-point (16 G, 47 A) breakout performance as the team’s No. 1 center in waiting.

The American heroes are coming to the #Denmark18 #IIHFWorlds! Prior to the @2018IIHFWorlds we have a look at all teams. @usahockey pic.twitter.com/PEMkMtHxjD

— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) April 29, 2018

Also returning are defensemen Connor Murphy (Chicago Blackhawks) and Anders Lee (New York Islanders), who posted a career year with 40 goals and 62 points.

Five players from last year’s roster remain in the NHL Playoffs: Andrew Copp (F), Jacob Trouba (D), and Connor Hellebuyck (G) of the Winnipeg Jets, as well as Anders Bjork (F) and Charlie McAvoy (D) of the Boston Bruins.

Other notable changes from 2017 include starting goaltender Jimmy Howard (Red Wings), center Jack Eichel (Buffalo Sabres), and Calder Trophy nominee Clayton Keller (Arizona Coyotes).

But even with the turnover, new, exciting names join Blashill’s group. Perhaps the biggest name is Blackhawks forward and NHL superstar Patrick Kane. Kane, named team captain by Blashill, played with Team USA at the 2010 and 2014 Olympic Games and the 2016 World Cup.

“I think what it says is it doesn't matter where you are in hockey, if you love the game, you want to be part of it and respect USA Hockey and Pat Kane showed up,” Team USA general manager Bill Zito told the AP. “It's really exciting. I think it's exciting for the whole tournament. It's a great day for USA Hockey and for hockey in general.”

The appearance is Kane’s first trip to the world championship since 2008 after his rookie season with Chicago, when he won the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie. He scored three goals and 10 points in seven games.

Other notable inclusions are forwards Cam Atkinson (Columbus Blue Jackets) and Alex DeBrincat (Blackhawks), in addition to defenseman and projected top-10 draft pick Quinn Hughes (University of Michigan).

Zito has expressed his confidence in Blashill’s second go-around and provided him with a younger, faster, and likely more exciting group to watch than last year. The depth should help the Americans eye their first medal finish since claiming bronze in 2015.

“He's experienced,” Zito said regarding Blashill. “He's been there before. He was hungry to go. And I think he brings a nice balance. He brings a great balance of the technical expertise of the game—he's a student of the game and he's studying, he's always into the little nuances that make up a game—as well as the personal, one-on-one to get the most out of the individuals.”

Team USA plays its lone exhibition game Tuesday at 2:30 PM EST, taking on host Denmark before tournament action opens Friday. Team USA’s full roster and schedule can be found here.

Have a question or a comment for Jacob? You can find him on Twitter @Jacob_Messing.