When the Buffalo Sabres drafted Massachusetts native Jack Eichel at No. 2 in 2015 and the Toronto Maple Leafs picked Arizona-bred Auston Matthews No. 1 in 2016, those who cared about American hockey wondered whether those two players could be foundation blocks of a new world order in their sport.
With the NHL's aggressive expansion, the American share of the NHL player pool was growing and we could envision the day when Matthews and Eichel could be the No. 1 and No. 2 centers on a team that could be the favorite to win the Olympic gold.
Another skillful U.S. center Dylan Larkin had been a first-round pick by the Detroit Red Wings the year before Eichel. In Eichel's draft year, Columbus Blue Jackets scoring defenseman Zach Werenski went seven picks after him.
Right wing Matthew Tkachuk (Calgary Flames) and defenseman Charlie McAvoy (Boston Bruins) were first round picks the same year Matthews was the top pick. Brady Tkachuk came to the Ottawa Senators as the No. 3 pick in 2018. Defenseman Quinn Hughes was the No. 7 pick that same year. His younger brother Jack was the No. 1 pick by the New Jersey Devils the following year.
It has taken a decade, but the American team we've been waiting for is finally here. And they are worth the wait.
The top three American centers Matthews, Eichel and Larkin can compete against anyone. Quinn Hughes is a difference maker on the blue line. The story of Hughes telling the bench he didn't need to come off the ice in overtime and scoring the game-winner against Sweden will be retold for years to come.
McAvoy is a complete two-way defenseman who can deliver heavy mega-ton hits. Werenski just keeps piling up points. In this tournament, Jack Hughes is making his presence felt.
And we haven't even gotten to the Tkachuk boys, the sons of Keith Tkachuk. Each is the same player his father was. Fierce. Heavy. Loyal. Skilled. Proud. Nationalistic.
When you wear the USA jersey with Tkachuk, you should be prepared to give nothing less than your best. The Tkachuks will demand that.
With veteran goalie Connor Hellebuyck, a three-time Vezina trophy winner, claiming the starting role, the Americans have the necessary goaltending.
This American team might be even more complete than we thought it would be 10 years ago after the drafting of Eichel and Matthews. But here is what we always forget about rebuilding efforts: They do not occur in a vacuum. While America is reenergizing it roster with young skill, other countries, particularily Canada, are doing the same.
While the Americans have been developing an international powerhouse, Canada didn't stop developing impact players.
The Edmonton Oilers drafted Connor McDavid one spot ahead of Eichel in 2015 and he's the most dominating player in the game. The Colorado Avalanche drafted Cale Makar at No. 4 in 2017 and he probably has more tools than any other defenseman in the league.
The Americans don't have a forward like Macklin Celebrini, a plucky, high-energy teenager who is fourth in the NHL scoring race with 81 points. Canadian coach Jon Cooper played him more than 25 minutes in the semifinal game against Finland.
You also can't ignore Nathan MacKinnon. At 30, he's on the cusp between the old generation Canadian players and the new generation. But no matter how you categorize him, he's an impact performer.
Now we get to the venerable Sidney Crosby. He's injured, but it feels as if he will play tomorrow. No matter how effective he is, he will inspire this Canadian team.
We have taken long way around to point out that the Sunday 8 a.m. game between Canada and USA to decide the men's gold medal is essentially a toss-up. The Americans now possess a formidable group, clearly one of the most talented teams in American history. But the Canadiens are as strong as ever.
NHL.com had four staff writers predict the winner of the game and they split at 4-4.
I have USA winning 4-3 in overtime, but I wouldn't bet a dime on my projection. I've seen too much of Canada vs. USA. I know how deep this rivalry is. Matthew Tkachuk said this week there was hatred involved from his perspective.
All any of us know for sure is that breakfast hockey should be highly entertaining Sunday in Italy.
Said Dylan Larkin, the heart and soul of the American team: "It's going to be a battle of the ages."
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