Dylan Larkin 5-21-16

The Red Wings' Dylan Larkin (left) celebrates a goal in the World Championship semifinals for the U.S. with Tyler Motte.

(The Associated Press)

DETROIT - Several Detroit Red Wings who either struggled late in the season or were banged up or scratched from the lineup performed well at the World Championship.

It was encouraging for general manager Ken Holland.

Alexey Marchenko led the bronze medal-winning Russian team in plus-minus rating. Dylan Larkin tied for Team USA's lead in points. Sweden's Gustav Nyquist tied for the tournament lead in goals. Tomas Jurco led Slovakia in points and tied for the team lead in goals.

They didn't face the stiffest competition, but it was valuable experience on the world stage.

"A big part of player development is experiencing a lot of different things," Holland said. "Two years in a row Larkin has been on Team USA and they played their way into the top four (winning bronze in 2015 and losing in bronze-medal game in 2016). It's a fabulous experience for these young players in their development."

It was the 19-year-old Larkin's second World Championship, and he took a big step. After picking up one point (an assist) in 10 games in 2015, Larkin put up nine points (two goals, seven assists) this year, tying for the team lead with Auston Matthews, who is certain to be the top pick in next month's draft by the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Holland and coach Jeff Blashill were happy to see Larkin playing center. With Pavel Datsyuk likely to announce in a few weeks that he is returning to Russia, the Red Wings will have a void at center. They hope Larkin can fill it.

"He was a center (before joining the Red Wings), we put him on the wing to reduce his responsibility," Holland said. "He was an important player on their team. He played with determination, tenacity. He went from the fourth line (at last year's Worlds) to the top six. It was a big step in his development."

Larkin seemed re-energized after the grind of his first NHL season appeared to take its toll. He had five goals and eight points in his final 29 games and one point (a goal) in five playoff games.

It was a season-long struggle for Nyquist, whose production dipped from 27 goals and 54 points to 17 goals and 43 points, in part due to an ineffective power play. He had seven goals, tying Finland's Patrik Laine (projected as the second overall pick to the Winnipeg Jets at the draft), and eight points in eight games.

"Happy he scored some goals," Holland said. "I don't think the Swedes were overly deep with NHL players. Nyquist was one of their go-to guys. That's part of his role that he brings to the table wherever he plays."

Marchenko missed the final two games of the Tampa Bay series; he didn't feel well after having his head banged into the glass in Game 3. But he played all 10 games at the Worlds, leading Russia with a plus-12 rating and chipping in three points (goal, two assists).

"Jiri Fischer (the Red Wings director of player development, who attended the tournament) thought he played solid, was strong for the Russians," Holland said." His strengths are to be good defensively, transition pucks to forwards. What he brings to the table he did well."

Jurco, a healthy scratch in 11 of the final 13 regular season games and all five playoff games, had two goals and five points in seven games for Slovakia.

"All in all he had a good tournament," Holland said.

Teemu Pulkkinen started strong for Finland - he had two goals in an exhibition and played regularly in the first few games. But he didn't play in the final five games, watching a couple of them from the bench - including the 2-0 loss to Canada in the gold-medal game.

Holland said he didn't know if Pulkkinen was nursing an injury. There have been conflicting reports.

"Part of it was Finland had more pros, lots of players from the KHL," Holland said. "The Finland program is highly regarded. Little disappointed Pulkkinen couldn't have played his way into a bigger role on Finland."

Pavel Datsyuk, who didn't record a point in the five playoff games, had 11 points (goal, 10 assists) in 10 games. That's encouraging for the Russian team he is expected to join next season, likely SKA St. Petersburg.

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