USA Hockey insiders already whisper about locking in core pieces for the 2028 World Cup, with names like Auston Matthews and Quinn Hughes drawing heavy buzz from front-office types who've seen them dominate NHL ice. Bill Guerin and his crew debate tweaks on defense, eyeing stars-in-waiting like Jackson LaCombe to pair with studs such as Zach Werenski and Brock Faber.

Minnesota Wild's Quinn Hughes, Matt Boldy, and Brock Faber carry that instant chemistry from the Xcel Energy Center straight into Milano Cortina, where Hughes just buried the OT winner against Sweden to punch Team USA's semifinal ticket. The trade that landed Hughes in Minnesota back in December has paid dividends beyond the NHL, with Boldy feeding that clutch goal and Faber locking down the back end like the steady vet he is.

Brock Faber delivers for USA with a key Olympic goal in their win over Germany, where Wild teammate Nico Sturm battles on the other bench. These club rivals trading hits on international ice adds the personal edge fans crave during the break. Minnesota watches closely as both stars stake claims in a tournament stacked with NHL bloodlines.

NHL Network's Jamison Coyle and Jason Demers break down the fireworks from Day 5 of the men's international hockey tournament at the Olympics, where Switzerland, Canada, Denmark, and Team USA all notch key victories to shake up the standings. These wins lock in qualification playoff matchups and highlight how NHL stars like Auston Matthews and Brock Faber dominate on the bigger stage, just like they do back in the league.

Matt Boldy lines up with Auston Matthews and Jake Guentzel while Quinn Hughes and Brock Faber anchor the blue line for Team USA's gold chase against Latvia. These Minnesota Wild stars bring chemistry forged in St. Paul straight to Milano, where Faber returns for his second Games and the duo has been clicking like old pros. Bill Guerin's squad counts on their edge to set the tone early in a tournament stacked with NHL firepower.

The Minnesota Wild flex their international muscle with a handful of key players suiting up for the men's hockey tournament in Milano Cortina. Guys like Matt Boldy and Brock Faber head to Team USA, while Joel Eriksson Ek and Filip Gustavsson bolster Sweden's lineup, and even Nico Sturm sneaks in for Germany. Bill Guerin running the show as Team USA's GM adds that extra layer of X's and O's savvy only a league lifer would appreciate.