Adam Fox's Team USA fell short in the tournament final, losing 3-2 overtime to Canada. Now, Fox and the other three New York Rangers who represented Team USA will rejoin the team. However, that doesn't mean we don't get a chance to talk about the tournament they endured playing for their country. Team USA fought hard, and Fox's season struggles were evident on the biggest stage as he struggled to show himself off at the highest level.
Fox was -2 in the tournament and had no points. That is a concern for a defenseman who makes his money as an offensive force. It raises questions regarding whether the issue on the Rangers' top pairing is entirely Ryan Lindgren's fault. Fox hasn't been at his usual best this season, and the ongoing issues among the defensive core might not be a cause of Fox's struggles but a symptom.
He played most of this tournament with Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Noah Hanifin, who is a significant improvement on Lindgren, and Fox still didn't look like the dominant force we've seen him be in years past, and that's a concern. Since the knee-on-knee hit with Sebastian Aho last season, Fox hasn't looked like the player we all know he can be. When it comes to the Rangers defense, if Fox isn't firing, they are in serious trouble.
New York's blueline has been problematic, but Fox, now struggling with the best players in the world, outlines the issues run deeper than just a few players. New York needs to find a way to get more out of Fox if they continue to turn the season around. We've seen his struggles this year, and the criticism that has come with the issues Fox has endured is genuine, but the Rangers need more from their star defenseman if they're going to return to the top of the standings.