View Full Version : Assuming Canada Is the Olympic Favorite...
charlio lemieux
11-22-05, 8:00 PM
Canada will probably be considered the favorite again, who will be the most dangerous opposition?
Madferret
11-22-05, 8:02 PM
Sweden
Sweden. By a long shot.
Top line involves the like of ALfredson, Forsberg and Sundin, the D is achored by Lidstrom and in net they've got Lundqvist.
Czech's have a shot, although I don't like their defense much.
slapshot™
11-22-05, 8:54 PM
and in net they've got Lundqvist.
WHAT!?!?!
No Tommy Salo?
TimmyTabasco
11-23-05, 5:36 AM
Easily the Czech Republic
-Same team that took Canada to overtime, during the WorldCup. That game could have gone either way
-Same team that beat Canada at the World Championships
The Czech's have a stacked team, and I think they are just as much a favourite..as Canada
TimmyTabasco
11-23-05, 5:37 AM
Sweden. By a long shot.
Top line involves the like of ALfredson, Forsberg and Sundin, the D is achored by Lidstrom and in net they've got Lundqvist.
I'd take the Czechs with Vokoun, over the Swedes with Lundqvist :nod: :thumb:
Newfie John
11-23-05, 5:38 AM
Czechs do have a good team, but I think Sweden has the edge on them.
Max Power
11-23-05, 8:56 AM
If Russia and Slovakia can get a decent team and good coaching they?ll both be a big threat but Czechs have to be the favorite at this point
bluemeanie
11-23-05, 9:00 AM
What's the status on team USA? I haven't been following... have they downgraded that much? Sweden, Czechs, Canada and of coarse, Belarus are always major threats... it will be a good tourny! =]
charlio lemieux
11-23-05, 10:12 AM
Khazakstan, led by the Unstoppable. unsinkable, Khazak-Krusher,(drumroll please) Niiiiiiiiiikolai Antropov. This highly skilled, forward never ever takes a shift off. He uses his size and strength advantage to win battles for the puck. And has finnishing skills second to none.
Max Power
11-23-05, 10:30 AM
Let's not for get ze Germans
ZE GERMANS ARE COMMING!
bluemeanie
11-23-05, 10:36 AM
Let's not for get ze Germans
ZE GERMANS ARE COMMING!
Right Max, never rule out the Germans... Oh wait a second.... this isn't soccer or a Beer chugging contest.
http://www.stlallsports.com/pics/hasansalihamidzicdrinksbeer_thumb.jpg
MadDevil
11-23-05, 1:18 PM
You're all wrong. Team USA will mop the floor with the lot of them.:laughing: :D
Seriously though, I think either Sweden or the Czechs. Sweden has some dangerous offensive talent in Naslund, Forsberg, Alfredsson, Sundin, the Sedins, Lidstrom, etc. The Czechs also have some very good talent, plus with Vokoun in net, they can match pretty much any team in the tournament in the goaltending department.
As far as the US goes, I'll just be happy if the team is competitive, and hopefully some of the younger guys get some experience for future international tournaments. They could have a very solid 2010 team.:thumb:
You're all wrong. Team USA will mop the floor with the lot of them.:laughing: :D
Seriously though, I think either Sweden or the Czechs. Sweden has some dangerous offensive talent in Naslund, Forsberg, Alfredsson, Sundin, the Sedins, Lidstrom, etc. The Czechs also have some very good talent, plus with Vokoun in net, they can match pretty much any team in the tournament in the goaltending department.
As far as the US goes, I'll just be happy if the team is competitive, and hopefully some of the younger guys get some experience for future international tournaments. They could have a very solid 2010 team.:thumb:
There is a BIG gap between what I refer to as the "Miracle on Ice Generation" and whoever will be the next stars of USA hockey. It's gonna be a while until the US team is a strong contender again, no way around it.
I like the Chzechs, it will be just like watching a Ranger game :laughing:
Iced Tea
11-23-05, 3:30 PM
Khazakstan, led by the Unstoppable. unsinkable, Khazak-Krusher,(drumroll please) Niiiiiiiiiikolai Antropov. This highly skilled, forward never ever takes a shift off. He uses his size and strength advantage to win battles for the puck. And has finnishing skills second to none.:laughing:
That has to be the funniest post I've seen in a long time. Highly skilled, win battles for the puck and finishing skills in the same paragraph as Antropov. :laughing: You're killing me I'm laughing so hard. :laughing:
By the way, you forgot "grit", all Leafs players have an overabundance of grit and are worth at least another team's superstar and a draft pick in a trade. :D
TimmyTabasco
11-23-05, 4:17 PM
Czechs do have a good team, but I think Sweden has the edge on them.
Why?
Sweden has a crap load of firepower. But thats about it.
However, they haven't been very successful at International Meets..as of late.
The Czechs always do well in international contests.
charlio lemieux
11-23-05, 10:13 PM
I have to admit I'm a Slovakia fan. As a silver medalist? I doubt it, but they are no pushovers.
ZIGMUND PALFFY R PIT ----PAVOL DEMITRA C LAK ----MARIAN HOSSA R ATL
LADISLAV NAGY L PHX----MICHAL HANDZUS C PHI ----MIROSLAV SATAN R NYI
RICHARD ZEDNIK R MTL ----JOZEF STUMPEL C FLA-----MARIAN GABORIK R MIN
MARCEL HOSSA L NYR-------MARTIN CIBAK C TBL -------MAREK SVATOS R COL
LUBOMIR VISNOVSKY D LAK----- ZDENO CHARA D OTT
RADOSLAV SUCHY D CBJ --------ANDREJ MESZAROS D OTT
BRANISLAV MEZEI D FLA-------- IVAN MAJESKY D WSH
PETER BUDAJ COL (2.27, .918 )
Slovak offense is lethal.
Too bad their defense is laughable and they have a backup goalie in net.
TimmyTabasco
11-24-05, 3:01 AM
Slovak offense is lethal.
Too bad their defense is laughable and they have a backup goalie in net.
Yeah, the goaltending has always seemed to hurt Slovakia.
Lasak(former Pred), and Stana usually seem to get the call.
Newfie John
11-24-05, 6:05 AM
Why?
Sweden has a crap load of firepower. But thats about it.
However, they haven't been very successful at International Meets..as of late.
On defence they're not too shabby either, with that guy Nik Lidstrom back there along with Mattias Ohlund. Their goaltending is also pretty good with Lundqvist getting the starts and Telly as the backup.
charlio lemieux
11-24-05, 11:17 AM
Slovak offense is lethal.
Too bad their defense is laughable and they have a backup goalie in net.
Could you imagine if they where still part of the Czech rep. with Hasek in net and Jagr and all the rest. #2 fave no problem.
Slovak offense is lethal.
Too bad their defense is laughable and they have a backup goalie in net.
All are very servicable NHL'ers and Chara is definatly top 5 in the league. That's more than I can say about some other teams D corps. They are pretty thin in net with Budaj as their starter though. Not sure if I'd rank them as a favorite after Canada but they have a pretty good squad.
No Bondra this year for the Slovaks? He's playing pretty well in Atlanta, is better than some of the names currently listed, has international experience and is a hero in his homeland.
Max Power
11-24-05, 4:25 PM
No Bondra this year for the Slovaks? He's playing pretty well in Atlanta, is better than some of the names currently listed, has international experience and is a hero in his homeland.
What's the deal? They surely put him on the list?
TimmyTabasco
11-24-05, 4:37 PM
All are very servicable NHL'ers and Chara is definatly top 5 in the league. That's more than I can say about some other teams D corps. They are pretty thin in net with Budaj as their starter though. Not sure if I'd rank them as a favorite after Canada but they have a pretty good squad.
No Bondra this year for the Slovaks? He's playing pretty well in Atlanta, is better than some of the names currently listed, has international experience and is a hero in his homeland.
Budaj most likely wouldn't get the start.
The Slovaks usually go with Lasak and Stana. These guys play over in europe.
The defense compared to other teams, isn't that good..beyond Chara and Visnovsky.
I'd think Bondra would be there. He is similar to a hero over there
charlio lemieux
11-24-05, 4:43 PM
I double checked, and Bondra just doesn't come up in the search for Slovak's on NHL.com. I don't know why. He should have been listed. If he had been I would have put him in the post.
Chara-Mezaros
Vishnovsky-Suchy
These pairings should be alright to eat up 50 min a game.
charlio lemieux
11-24-05, 4:52 PM
Sweden's NHL defensemen:
NICKLAS LIDSTROM
KIM JOHNSSON
MATTIAS OHLUND
NICLAS HAVELID
CHRISTIAN BACKMAN
DICK TARNSTROM
HENRIK TALLINDER
ANDREAS LILJA
MATTIAS NORSTROM
DANIEL TJARNQVIST
NICLAS WALLIN
STAFFAN KRONWALL
TimmyTabasco
11-24-05, 5:10 PM
Sweden's NHL defensemen:
NICKLAS LIDSTROM
KIM JOHNSSON
MATTIAS OHLUND
NICLAS HAVELID
CHRISTIAN BACKMAN
DICK TARNSTROM
HENRIK TALLINDER
ANDREAS LILJA
MATTIAS NORSTROM
DANIEL TJARNQVIST
NICLAS WALLIN
STAFFAN KRONWALL
The Swedes have a very good top four in Lidstrom, Ohlund, Norstrom, and Johnsson. Isn't Tarnstrom injured, same for Backman..and Lilja?
TimmyTabasco
11-24-05, 5:11 PM
On defence they're not too shabby either, with that guy Nik Lidstrom back there along with Mattias Ohlund. Their goaltending is also pretty good with Lundqvist getting the starts and Telly as the backup.
Yeah, I'm not saying they won't do well.
But I am saying the Czech's are a more rounded, better team.
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