OverDrive - Russo on the United States' 4 Nations Face-Off mentality, Hughes' injury impact and Matthews' captain role

Episode Date: February 12, 2025

NHL Writer for The Athletic Michael Russo joined OverDrive to discuss the United States' roster at the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament, Auston Matthews' captain role on the team, Bill Guerin's mentality for winning, Quinn Hughes' injury impact, the mindset of the group and more.

This February, I Heart Radio celebrates Black History Month by amplifying the voices that define black excellence. Reflect upon and celebrate history and culture. From curated playlists celebrating iconic black artists to powerful podcasts. My grandmother marched with Martin Luther King. And Black History Month Radio. We're shining a light on the music, stories and culture that inspire us all. Black history is our history. Celebrate with us. History to make it. Let's head down to Montreal and bring in Michael Russo. How are you doing, Michael? Good.

I thought I was a surprise guest for half a second. Well, you are. You're a great guest. We're fired up to have you from the athletic. We've been pumping you up. Yeah, we've been pumping your tires for two hours, man. It's funny enough, I sat next to CJ yesterday as he was on with you guys, so it's funny you guys called him today.

How is the media contingent down there? Are people fired up or are they just grinding away, submitting pieces? Shocking enough, CJ was still at the rink when I just left there. Yeah, we're missing the media reception. It started at 6. And you know sports writers don't like to miss free food and booze. So I'll be heading over there. Is that why they enjoy a stiff scotch?

Is that why they enjoy a stiff scotch? Is it because the timeline is tight and it's a bunch of work and your brain's kind of fried so it's like booze time? Pretty much. That's been my life for 30 years. You don't get to look like me for no reason. And funny enough, I mean, CJ was doing, we were in the concierge lounge yesterday when he was doing the interview with you.

It's just also free booze and free food. So we were very on brand. So Michael, tell us about the vibe around the USA team. I mean, obviously they're big, they're strong, they're very talented, and a lot's been made of their goaltending, having the best goalie in the game. So just what do you think their overall vibe is heading into this Four Nations faceoff? Yeah, I think it's, I mean it to me it's exciting I'll be honest you know as much as I'm honored to cover the tournament I was you know a week ago I

was like what's this gonna be like it's gonna be like a glorified all-star weekend or what but then watching these practices the last couple days and how intense it is I mean these guys are here to win it and when you you know just looking at Team Canada when you look at their power play unit and you see it's like, you know, Crosby, McKinnon, and McCarr, and McDavid all in the same unit, holy moly, it's pretty exciting and I think that's what the way the US feels right now. They feel like they're the deepest team in the tournament. We'll see once they once they obviously suit up, they have an extra day to prepare than Canada.

They've got incredible goaltending. Because of that, in a short tournament, there might not be much wiggle room for Halliburke. How long can you wait if all of a sudden he does struggle out of the gate, which I'd be a little shocked at, but we'll see. The vibes are good. The practices have been shockingly intense. Even Canada's practice today, Brad Marsham's running over guys. It's been pretty fun the first couple days and we'll see how the tournament starts tomorrow.

It seemed like the USA has put like an emphasis on like they want big and strong out there. I know they got some real talented players but with some smaller guys passed over they said we're going big and strong and fast and we're going to be tough to beat. Do you not get that sense? Yeah. And, you know, I covered Bill Guerin as my day job covering the Minnesota Wild and that is his MO. I mean, you know, I mean, you remember those lines that he was on in all his USA tournaments

playing with guys like Keith Kachuk. And then I remember Mike Madonna used to call them Khan and Kreet, right? So, you know, Madonna was always in the middle of concrete essentially with Garron and Kachuk and that's the way that he's built this team and the way that he wants them to play. You know, obviously there were some guys that I think that he left off that were, that some people were very surprised on. You know, the Clayton Kellers, of the cold-claw fields but it's pretty that very reason that you get that in and uh... you know they would be one uh... you know what players that are

going to accept roles uh... you know there's a lot of guys are go-to guys on their nlp the bill larkin to the world there now played for flying wing here and at least to start the tournament so um... that's just the way you get in a best on best tournament. And I do think that they want them to play hard and fast. How big of a loss is it going to be for Quinn Hughes not on the back end? Yeah, I think it's a massive loss. You know, to me, it's just like losing Heiskind in Finland.

You know, and you see it, you know, Quinn was going to quarterback their number one power play, obviously could be on the the ice in all key situations. And to me, he is along with McCarroll, one of the two best defensemen in the game right now, and very easily could be a North candidate again this year. And so I think it's a massive loss. I was a little surprised just the way that Bill Gearon and Mike Sullivan and John Hines have been talking up Zach Warenki all

season long, especially the last couple months, that he actually wasn't on Power Play One in today's practice, that they are going with Adam Fox. He's had a little bit of a down year. I think he's been playing with an injury. But Fox is obviously going to get the initial look there, then Warenki on Power Play Two. But losing Quinn is just such a massive loss of uses such dynamic defenseman uh... you know you know what twenty five points i think he's up on uh... and leading scoring for the vancouver cutouts right now uh... you know i think rock besters second behind him and uh... it's just a it's a big big loss another jack uh... talked yesterday

about supporting it is for the family but but uh... you know the hope is that they'll both be healthy uh year's Olympics. Was it a slam dunk for Austin Matthews to be the captain of this team and what's the the feeling around Matthews being the leader of this USA group? Yeah I think so I mean he's the best American in the world and so I think I think that you go with that right from the beginning you know they have a lot of captains a lot of leaders on this team you know to me there really was like I heard that Matthew Kichuk got a couple votes. I'm sure that Bill Garron, it wouldn't shock me, was one of them just because of

his history with Keith. But to me, Austin was just an absolute shoe-in. But they've got just so many great players. I did a huge story on Jack Igel that's gonna run in tomorrow's athletic. Here's another guy you know what what he's turned into in Vegas being one of the top two-way centers in the league. It's been pretty impressive. I think he's gonna be their top matchup center in this tournament and go head-to-head against the best and but Austin is obviously you know such a tremendous player. I think that nobody would argue that he's the best American player just because the leader that he's the best American player

just because the leader that he is with Toronto. It just made all the sense to the world. I mean, he is the face of American hockey in my opinion. Michael, before we get you out here, Hellebuck always seems to be a little bit chippy. He seems to be confident in his ability, and it seems like this tournament has really got his attention. Can you see a bit of a look in his eye where he's like, I want to show everybody that I truly am the best goalie in the world? Yeah, I absolutely agree with Ian, especially because of the way that last year's playoffs went for him. I think on the big stage he wants to show that he is the best, not only the best goalie in the world, but specifically on the United States because there's so much talk of just how good Jake Odenger or

Jeremy Swainman could be if they ever needed him. So I think he's going to want to go in there and shut down every team that he plays. The guy is enormous. Just being around him the last couple days, it's hilarious. I'd love to see a little Canada-U.S. goalie fight on Saturday night. That'd be something in Montreal. You know, Jordan Bennington would be a game for that. So but I just I do think that Hellebuck is

is you know and doodles could tell you I just think that he's just from a elite standpoint he's just been so impeccable this season and you know put himself in the conversation obviously not just for a second straight Vezna but even the heart trophy talk. Michael, really appreciate you hopping on, giving us the skinny on the USA team, so have fun in the tournament and hopefully we'll do this again soon. Yep, anytime guys, take care. Okay.

Michael Russo from The Athletic covers the Minnesota Wild on a daily basis.