Team USA Player to Watch After an unspectacular 4-1 win over Norway to open their 2024 World Junior campaign, Team USA ran roughshod over the Swiss for an 11-3 victory in their second round robin game from Gothenburg. On the most recent episode of The Silky Mitten State, my co-host Connor Earegood and I discussed which American player we were most looking forward to watching at this year's tournament. You can see a sampling of that conversation in the video above. Connor mentioned Zeev Buium, a University of Denver defenseman who will be one of (if not the) first D men selected at the 2024 Draft. Buium is also the younger brother of Red Wings' prospect Shai Buium. I mentioned Frank Nazar, a University of Michigan centerman and Chicago Blackhawks first round draft choice in 2022. Both featured prominently in the rout of the Swiss, with Nazar giving four assists and Buium scoring and assisting. At 11 AM eastern today, the Americans will get their toughest test of the tournament to date when they take on a talented Czechia team. You can find the full episode of The Silky Mitten State on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. ALSO FROM THN DETROIT Injury Update: Lyon, Maatta, Petry Poised to Return; Veleno Still Not Read [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/news/injury-update-lyon-maatta-petry-poised-to-return-veleno-still-not-ready] A Second Period Disaster, Top Line Produces Offense but Struggles in Own End, Reimer Struggles Again: Red Wings-Wild Statistical Review [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/analysis/a-second-period-disaster-top-line-produces-offense-but-struggles-in-own-end-reimer-struggles-again-red-wings-wild-statistical-review] "Sometimes You Go Through Adversity, and Right Now, We're Going Through It": Kane, Reimer, Lalonde React to Red Wings' Loss in Minnesota [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/news/sometimes-you-go-through-adversity-and-right-now-were-going-through-it-kane-reimer-lalonde-react-to-red-wings-loss-in-minnesota] Red Wings 3, Wild 6: Defensive Gaffes Burn Detroit Again [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/news/red-wings-3-wild-6-defensive-gaffes-burn-detroit-again] From the Archive: Robitaille, Hull, Hasek Spark Red-Hot Wings [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/features/from-the-archive-robitaille-hull-hasek-spark-red-hot-wings] Nate Danielson Scores and Assists in Team Canada's World Junior Opening Win Over Finland [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/news/nate-danielson-scores-and-assists-in-team-canadas-world-junior-opening-win-over-finland] Why Dylan Larkin's Public Call-Out of NHL Player Safety Shows a Unique Leadership [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/analysis/why-dylan-larkins-public-call-out-of-nhl-player-safety-shows-a-unique-leadership] Red Wings 2-Devils 3: Meier Leads New Jersey to Comeback Win over Detroit [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/news/red-wings-2-devils-3-meier-leads-new-jersey-to-comeback-win-over-detroit] Red Wings Call Up Simon Edvinsson; How Can He Provide a Spark? [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/news/red-wings-call-up-simon-edvinsson-how-can-he-provide-a-spark] Kane, Larkin, Seider Power Red Wings Through Chaos and Dubious Goaltending: Red Wings-Flyers Statistical Review [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/analysis/kane-larkin-seider-power-red-wings-through-chaos-and-dubious-goaltending-red-wings-flyers-statistical-review]