Olympics: 2014 — Switzerland Roster (Released, post #1)

[BalticWarrior]

Goddamnit,we will be playing you in the first Sochi game for us,oh god its gonna be an awful day for Latvian fans

 

[ozo]

I see, but still shame. Lets feel good about Pluss and Gerber, although Gerber hasn't been that loyal.

 

[jonas2244]

Gerber was always there when he could and when he was wanted and ready. Very loyal player, probably the most loyal player in Switzerland. A great sportsman.

 

[ozo]

Gerber was always there when he could and when he was wanted and ready. Very loyal player, probably the most loyal player in Switzerland. A great sportsman.

I meant more about his club choice, spent past years in Sweden in Russia and only now committing to home league. One (the only?) of the rare non-NHL expats on this roster.

 

[SwissLeaf]

Pestoni is unfortunately too small and kind of a one-trick-pony..

Out of Bezina, Helbling and Chiesa, I only see Bezina able to compete against the best. The other two are just not good enough.

 

[jonas2244]

Defense in Sotchi:

Josi - Diaz
Streit - Sbisa
Blindenbacher - Furrer
Vauclair - Seger

 

[stv11]

If Grossmann continues to improve, I think he'll be an upgrade over Furrer. Other than that, that's a pretty good prediction.

 

[jonas2244]

Furrer played a great tournament, if he stays healthy I see no way how Grossmann could pass him. He also has good chemistry with Blindenbacher, I see no reason why Simpson should change that pairing.

 

[SwissAvsFan]

I am actually quite confident with that defense. I just hope Streit can pick it up again; did not really impress me during the lockout in Bern.
Let's hope Nino and Baertschi develop more and no injuries to our top forwards and we'll have a good chance to beat a big one or two

 

[Dijay]

Guys, don't forget Andrighetto. It's probably one of the future elits forwards!

He's benn very impressive with Rimouski and will propably play in the NHl next season.

 

[Trizz]

Guys, don't forget Andrighetto. It's probably one of the future elits forwards!

He's benn very impressive with Rimouski and will propably play in the NHl next season.

he will be a stud

but sochi is too soon for him
1993 and didn't played a game in a professional league so far, well nlb, but...
give this yound kid some time

 

[Murph5]

Baertschi-Brunner-Niederreiter
Andrighetto-Wick-Richard
Hoffman-Bertschy-Romy
Martschini-Pluss-Bodenmann
Ambuhl
Streit-Diaz
Josi-Sbisa
Ramholt-Weber
Schilt
Hiller
Gerber
Stephan
"C"-Streit
"A"-Wick
"A"-Brunner
"A"-Diaz

 

[doubleaxes]

The good thing about all this is that it is actually not easy anymore to make a national team in Switzerland. There are going to be frustrated players.


Goalkeepers:

HILLER
BERRA
GERBER

DEFENSE

(Locks, not paires)
Streit his last OLGames he will be overmotivated
Josi is Josi
Diaz/Seger(love him although I am not ZSC fan)

Imo the four best Swiss D men.

then a bunch of most probables for completing locks depending on form/injuries an integration in team and Simpsons concept. In order of preference

Vauclair,except that error on Sweden 3rd goal he has proven himself in last WC
Blindenbacher, old routinier
Bezina (we need his experience,size,shot altough he has his not so unusual turnovers.
Du Bois
Grossman very strong progress
then:
Furrer
Blum liked what I saw in Sweden had to make place for Diaz.
Sbisa (he has to forget his bad season with Ducks he has the potential to be top four) I didnt like his season with Lugano or Ducks, no lock to me in any case. NHL doenst make a lock on big ice. We didnt need him in Sweden or did anybody miss him?
Weber (He need a good season in Switzerland if he wants to be in Sotchi forget NA.)Same argument like with Habs his shot on PP could be an asset but his defence sucks.)
Von Gunten?

Too young yet:

Kukan (first has to impose himself in Sweden, a bit too young for this OG or he posts a sensational break through)
Mirco Müller(18): Big hopes on that big 1,91 guy for...2018

FORWARD

Centers:

Romy Lock
Trachsler Lock, great WC
M.Plüss always there
Bykov best center after Romy in NLA but not proven internationally and has bad habit to be injuried when it matters.
Gardner,i

Wings

Brunner Lock
hollenstein Lock (will play in Genève with Romy?) good for NT
Nino Lock his goal against Sweden in first game was top class

Most probable wings

Wick must get stronger although he probalby makes the team for pure talent.
Moser Want to see whats in him in a better team than Tigers.Liked him in Sweden
Bartschi want to see more from him next season with Flames. Looks fragil to me.
Suri confirm good season, good in Sweden
Ambühl I am never sure if I like him or not
Walker Also confirm good season, good WC
i

out right now:

Sprunger too soft although very talented
Monnet,Rütheman,Bieber,Bodenmann
Bertschy,Hoffman,Simion,Vermin need more time to developpe but who knows the season they bring up.

I am an Andrighetto fan(don't care about his size) that guy can be our new star. But too early for Sotchi. Hope Patrick Roy can take him with him.

Tanner Richard has to prove himself in AHL first, if he breaks through and is over average he still would have to overpass most probables in the list.

Names dont make teams. Group chemistry was very strong in Sweden. I trust Simpsons more than before now. He actually won a medal in in third year. He will know better.
Good that he also coaches (this year he will be counselling the -20) for integration in his concept.


The last perfomance shuffled the cards as everybody was surprised at the medal. Some posters (also in HF) were talking of B team with seven rookies and bla bla.

So in my perfect world in the starting game vs Latvia:

Hiller(Berra) or Berra(Hiller)

Streit-Vauclair
Diaz-Bezina(Du Bois)
Josi-Blindenbacher
Seger-Grossmann

or variation in the mix

Hollenstein-Romy-Brunner
Bärtschi-Plüss-Nino
Wick-Bykoveek:i,Gardner)-Suri
Moser-Trachsler-Ambühl(walker)

 

[SwissStef]

I really like these lines:

"Hiller(Berra) or Berra(Hiller)

Streit-Vauclair
Diaz-Bezina(Du Bois)
Josi-Blindenbacher
Seger-Grossmann

or variation in the mix

Hollenstein-Romy-Brunner
Bärtschi-Plüss-Nino
Wick-Bykoveek:i,Gardner)-Suri
Moser-Trachsler-Ambühl(walker)"

To be honest, i'm very exited about this swiss NT playing in Sochi! Could very well end in a unforgettable journey...

We can be proud with the developement of Swiss hockey...

 

[chokei]

Random and meaningless bump, but...

I am really looking forward to this tournament because it's played on big ice. I want to see what Josi can do, I think he will/can become one of the best defenders in the NHL and I expect him to leave his mark and really turn some heads in the NHL next season, even more than this past season. But the big ice suits Josi's playing style even more, it's where his game comes into it's own. He was phenomenal to watch in Stockholm and he will be phenomenal in Sotchi as well.

Is it a stretch to say that a Josi on big ice would be wanted on the national teams of the top nations as well, except maybe Canada?

 

[ficohok*]

With NHL-ers in Sochi confirmed, how Swiss ideal lineup would look like ?

 

[chokei]

With NHL-ers in Sochi confirmed, how Swiss ideal lineup would look like ?

You can have a look at some of the previous posts, they're from the time of this years World Championships in May and represent the most recent opinions on the Swiss lineup.

Goal is set, most of the defense too. The offense is a bit difficult because the guys in Stockholm all played great, but some good forwards were hurt (Wick, Romy) or in the NHL (Brunner, Bärtschi), so things might change.

WC lineup from this may:

Nino Niederreiter - Martin Plüss - Simon Moser
Andres Ambühl - Ryan Gardner - Reto Suri
Simon Bodenmann - Luca i - Denis Hollenstein
Matthias Bieber - Morris Trachsler - Julian Walker

Raphael Diaz - Roman Josi
Julien Vauclair - Mathias Seger
Eric Blum - Patrick von Gunten
Severin Blindenbacher - Philippe Furrer

Martin Gerber
Reto Berra

Romy and Brunner showed good chemistry last year, so they could form a first line together with Niederreiter. It also depends on how good Wick or Bärtschi are playing in February. Difficult to say which players I would change with them. Maybe Suri, Bodenmann or Walker. But right now, none. All of them are capable. It will likely depend on their form in February. Streit and Sbisa will be added to the defense and Hiller will be in goal.

Sprunger is a non-factor despite being one of the better Swiss forwards. There is just no need for him on the NT. And it went pretty well without Rüthemann too. A new era has begun for the Swiss national team this Spring.

 

[stv11]

Nino Niederreiter - Martin Plüss - Simon Moser
Andres Ambühl - Ryan Gardner - Reto Suri
Simon Bodenmann - Luca i - Denis Hollenstein
Matthias Bieber - Morris Trachsler - Julian Walker

Out of this lineup, I'd say that the Plüss and Trachsler lines are the most likely to be back in Sochi, although if all wingers are available, I could see Bieber being dropped and a guy like Ambühl or Moser playing on the 4th line. And even if this happens, we still have Brunner, Niederreiter, Hollenstein, Suri, Bärtschi, Wick and one of Ambühl/Moser for six spots, without even considering guys who could have a breakout season next year like Vermin or who could be back in better shape like Rüthemann.

On the other hand, we only have Romy and Plüss as locks at center, which means that i could be back, or that Ambühl will play center, which wouldn't be surprising as the center is the player forechecking in Simpson's 1-3-1 system. Bykov could be a possibility, but I can't see him getting his first call for the Olympics.

 

[bigbadbruins7]

Chances Niño Niedereiter makes the Olympic team with a good start to the season?

 

[holyprime]

I'd say after his play last WC, he's a lock, even with a bad start next season (yes, even if its like his rookie-season bad).

There is just no one else with his skillset/size in Switzerland.

 

[bigbadbruins7]

I'd say after his play last WC, he's a lock, even with a bad start next season (yes, even if its like his rookie-season bad).

There is just no one else with his skillset/size in Switzerland.

Ok nice thanks

 

[Tritsche]

Swiss Kick-off Roster 2014

Torhüter / Goalie (6):
Berra Reto (Calgary Flames / NHL)
Conz Benjamin (HC Fribourg-Gottéron)
Flüeler Lukas (ZSC Lions)
Gerber Martin (Kloten Flyers)
Hiller Jonas (Anaheim Ducks / NHL)
Stephan Tobias (Genève-Servette HC).

Verteidiger / Defender (17):
Bezina Goran (Genève-Servette HC)
Blindenbacher Severin (ZSC Lions)
Blum Eric (Kloten Flyers)
Chiesa Alessandro (EV Zug)
Diaz Rafael (Montreal Canadiens / NHL)
Du Bois Félicien (Kloten Flyers)
Furrer Philippe (SC Bern)
Grossmann Robin (HC Davos)
Josi Roman (Nashville Predators / NHL)
Loeffel Romain (HC Fribourg-Gottéron)
Ramholt Tim (HC Davos)
Sbisa Luca (Anaheim Ducks / NHL)
Seger Mathias (ZSC Lions)
Streit Mark (Philadelphia Flyers / NHL)
Vauclair Julien (HC Lugano)
Von Gunten Patrick (Kloten Flyers)
Weber Yannick (Vancouver Canucks / NHL)

Stürmer / Forwards (25)
Ambühl Andres (HC Davos)
Bärtschi Sven (Calgary Flames / NHL)
Bieber Matthias (Kloten Flyers)
Bodenmann Simon (Kloten Flyers)
Brunner Damien (Free Agent / NHL)
Bürgler Dario (HC Davos)
i Luca (ZSC Lions)
Gardner Ryan (SC Bern)
Hollenstein Denis (Genève-Servette HC)
Monnet Thibaut (HC Fribourg-Gottéron)
Moser Simon (SC Bern)
Niederreiter Nino (Minnesota Wild / NHL)
Pestoni Inti (HC Ambrì-Piotta)
Plüss Benjamin (HC Fribourg-Gottéron)
Plüss Martin (SC Bern)
Romy Kevin (Genève-Servette HC)
Rüthemann Ivo (SC Bern)
Sciaroni Gregory (HC Davos)
Simek Juraj (Genève-Servette HC)
Sprunger Julien (HC Fribourg-Gottéron)
Stancescu Victor (Kloten Flyers)
Suri Reto (EV Zug)
Trachsler Morris (ZSC Lions)
Walker Julien (Genève-Servette HC)
Wick Roman (ZSC Lions).

 

[Leafsdude7]

L| C| R
Sven Bartschi| Luca i| Julien Sprunger
Nino Niederreiter| Martin Pluss| Reto Suri
Damien Brunner| Kevin Romy| Dario Burgler
Roman Wick| Morris Trachsler| Julian Walker
| Ryan Gardner| Andres Ambuhl

D| D
Mark Streit| Yannick Weber
Luca Sbisa| Roman Josi
Tim Ramholt| Raphael Diaz
Philippe Furrer| Beat Forster

Jonas Hiller
Tobias Stephan
Reto Berra

Admittedly, I'm NHL-biased. Only a handful of guys have not been drafted and/or played in NA.

Forster's a huge reach, I know, but he's one of my favourites. Seems like he's fallen out of favour of Swiss brass, though.

Blindenbacher would probably be the better/safer selection there.

 

[torero]

Chances Niño Niedereiter makes the Olympic team with a good start to the season?

The way he played in the WC's, he's a lock !

And i am convinced he will turn heads and score goals in Minnesota. Mark my words.

 

[Hossa]

L| C| R
Sven Bartschi| Luca i| Julien Sprunger
Nino Niederreiter| Martin Pluss| Julian Walker
Roman Wick| Kevin Romy| Dario Burgler
Simon Bodenmann| Morris Trachsler| Reto Suri
| Ryan Gardner| Andres Ambuhl

D| D
Mark Streit| Yannick Weber
Luca Sbisa| Roman Josi
Tim Ramholt| Raphael Diaz
Philippe Furrer| Beat Forster

Jonas Hiller
Tobias Stephan
Reto Berra

Admittedly, I'm NHL-biased. Only a handful of guys have not been drafted and/or played in NA.

Forster's a huge reach, I know, but he's one of my favourites. Seems like he's fallen out of favour of Swiss brass, though.

Blindenbacher would probably be the better/safer selection there.

If that's the case, seems particularly odd you would omit Brunner.