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

[MBTendy]

What are the chances Tobi makes the roster as a backup?

 

[Leafsdude7]

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

Didn't even realize he was Swiss.

Consider him added.

Also swapped Walker and Suri.

 

[ficohok*]

What are the chances Tobi makes the roster as a backup?

I don't see it possible with Hiller and Berra being healthy.

 

[stv11]

What are the chances Tobi makes the roster as a backup?

He has a good chance but is not a lock. Goalies should be Hiller, Berra and one of Gerber and Stephan, barring injury.

 

[stv11]

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.

Forster retired from the national team in 2009.

Regarding your roster, solid effort for someone who doesn't follow the NLA, but:

On defense, Vauclair, Seger and Blindenbacher are way ahead of Ramholt and Weber.

On offense, Bürgler was scratched during the entire world championship, so it would be very surprising to see him make the Olympic roster, Wick doesn't belong on a defensive line, Gardner was ok at the WC but I'd be surprised if he makes the Olympics, and Sprunger may have good NLA stats, but his style doesn't translate well to international hockey, plus he and i are both too soft to play on the same line. On the other hand, Moser and Hollenstein are almost locks.

 

[MBTendy]

I don't see it possible with Hiller and Berra being healthy.

What makes Berra so special over Tobi? Ever since Tobi has returned to the NLA his numbers show that he has been the most consistent goalie in the league and one of the top ones too. I never got to watch a NLA game simply because I'm in Canada but I follow Tobi and check the box score every game (highlights as well) and I've kept track of the other goalies and Berra doesn't stand out to me as much as Stephan does.

 

[ficohok*]

and I've kept track of the other goalies and Berra doesn't stand out to me as much as Stephan does.

Berra played for lesser team (Biel) than Stephan is playing

 

[SCBdude]

What makes Berra so special over Tobi? Ever since Tobi has returned to the NLA his numbers show that he has been the most consistent goalie in the league and one of the top ones too. I never got to watch a NLA game simply because I'm in Canada but I follow Tobi and check the box score every game (highlights as well) and I've kept track of the other goalies and Berra doesn't stand out to me as much as Stephan does.

That's because his team is horrible. He got them in to the playoffs with his fantastic play in net. Stephan's team is pretty decent.

I think that the goalie trio in Sochi will be Hilller, Berra and one of Stephan/Gerber/Conz

 

[doubleaxes]

That's because his team is horrible...

Would not expect less from a SCB dude talking about EHCB!

Biel is far from horrible, it has the lowest budget but has a HUGE HART and made the PO twice in the last two seasons.
BERRA was the pillar of it.
His last season was not so great in numbers but he was his old self in key games at end of quali and in the PO again. Once his future with/or without the club was solved.

Hiller,Berra,Gerber no doubt.

 

[MBTendy]

I don't know how bad Biel is cause I never watched a NLA game like I said but Tobi seemed to have faced a lot of shots in his GP but then again I guess my opinion doesn't mean much since you guys watch the games so you guys know a lot more than me. Thanks for the insight!

But Gerber over Tobi or even Conz? I've watched the last Worlds and I wasn't that impressed, I would rather see Tobi or even Conz over him.

 

[jonas2244]

Gerbs played great at the Worlds, only the final was a bit weak. He has such a huge experience and he's a great teammate, very important for a team. I think that will be the main reason for Gerber to get a spot for Sotchi, I don't think he has a chance to outplay Berra and Hiller, but his presence will help the team.

 

[torero]

Gerbs played great at the Worlds, only the final was a bit weak. He has such a huge experience and he's a great teammate, very important for a team. I think that will be the main reason for Gerber to get a spot for Sotchi, I don't think he has a chance to outplay Berra and Hiller, but his presence will help the team.

Funny ... and maybe sad for Gerber in a way, is that he was unlucky with the teammates he had, in the sense that each had its period of light WITH Gerber. !!

From Carolina, to the Sens, passing through Russia and Sweden, the teammate would accede to an upper level of hockey playing.
Is he a "tooo good" teammate ? for his career ?

Yet, form me, Gerber is among the best goalies in the World (i am a bit emotional ). In the nights when he is good, HE IS A WALL and can deliver outstanding performances. Doing things you will remember as symbols for victories (Canada 2-0 in Italy + many with Huricanes and the Sens, Toronto, Rogle, Atlant Mytishi, Langnau ... ). A great game thief. and a great team player and a MVP contender any night.
Gerber is a Great player.

 

[holyprime]

I don't know how bad Biel is cause I never watched a NLA game like I said but Tobi seemed to have faced a lot of shots in his GP but then again I guess my opinion doesn't mean much since you guys watch the games so you guys know a lot more than me. Thanks for the insight!

McSorley, Geneva's Coach, employs a pretty strict system, i wouldn't say trap, but its a lot of dump and chase and pretty defensive. Stephan is great, but the style of his team help his stats a little.
Biel however isnt so consistant defensively, Berra sometimes really had to carry them on their back to reach the playoffs (more last season than this). He's younger to and should still have some upside.

But Gerber over Tobi or even Conz? I've watched the last Worlds and I wasn't that impressed, I would rather see Tobi or even Conz over him.

I think Gerber is also in for his leadership. That guy just has a ton of experience at international level and almost every league that matters.

 

[holyprime]

Yet, form me, Gerber is among the best goalies in the World (i am a bit emotional ). In the nights when he is good, HE IS A WALL and can deliver outstanding performances. Doing things you will remember as symbols for victories (Canada 2-0 in Italy + many with Huricanes and the Sens, Toronto, Rogle, Atlant Mytishi, Langnau ... ). A great game thief. and a great team player and a MVP contender any night.
Gerber is a Great player.

I think he's only a truly great goalie when he got "it", and he just didn't have it enough (but oh boy when he did/does) to be considered one of the best on any day (you just don't know if he will get "it"). He's still very solid and consistent, what made for quite a remarkable career (travel wise at least ) with a lot of experience. Plus he should help us oust Canada in the quarter finals

 

[SCBdude]

Would not expect less from a SCB dude talking about EHCB!

Biel is far from horrible, it has the lowest budget but has a HUGE HART and made the PO twice in the last two seasons.
BERRA was the pillar of it.
His last season was not so great in numbers but he was his old self in key games at end of quali and in the PO again. Once his future with/or without the club was solved.

Hiller,Berra,Gerber no doubt.

Langnau and Ambri both had lower budgets last season

You are right they play with a lot of heart and always give 110% on the ice but the quality of the team isn't all too good because, as you said, their budget isn't big at all. Without Berra EHCB would never have made the playoffs.

 

[swisdan]

It's a little bit strange how Berra came ahead Genoni. Two or three years ago, it was even not a discussion about Genoni being better. He had had some very bright stats during the playoff with Davos, and everybodies were wondering when he would leave for the NHL. And now, Berra is on the verge to play for Calgary ( or in Ahl), and few are ready to consider Genoni playing for Switzerland, even like the 3rd goalie. Genoni doesnt become a weak goalie but perhaps some choices to declare forfeit for one or two WM and some stagnation cost him the spot. I wonder if he will come back stronger for the future and will have other consideration for the nati...

 

[SwissStef]

Okey, the season has started...!
How does our Olympic roster look per today? Any changes because of a hot/cold start to the season or due to injury (Josi/Sbisa)?

I still like to see something like:

Hiller(Berra) or Berra(Hiller)

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

or variation in the mix

Hollenstein-i-Brunner
Bärtschi-Plüss-Nino
Wick-Bykov(Gardner)-Suri
Moser-Trachsler-Ambühl(Walker)

 

[The Noot]

Okey, the season has started...!
How does our Olympic roster look per today? Any changes because of a hot/cold start to the season or due to injury (Josi/Sbisa)?

I still like to see something like:

Hiller(Berra) or Berra(Hiller)

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

or variation in the mix

Hollenstein-i-Brunner
Bärtschi-Plüss-Nino
Wick-Bykov(Gardner)-Suri
Moser-Trachsler-Ambühl(Walker)

Hiller will be the starter if he keeps playing like that. Not close.


I don't like Vauclair and Streit on the first pairing. Streit is declining and will be used on the second with many pp minutes. Josi is a lock on the first pairing if he gets healthy, Sbisa should be on the second pairing (together with Streit?). I don't think that Blindenbacher will be on the roster, tbh.

And how you could include Ambühl but leave out Bodenmann is beyond me. But the forwards are a crapshoot to begin with.

 

[stv11]

Okey, the season has started...!
How does our Olympic roster look per today? Any changes because of a hot/cold start to the season or due to injury (Josi/Sbisa)?

I still like to see something like:

Hiller(Berra) or Berra(Hiller)

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

or variation in the mix

Hollenstein-i-Brunner
Bärtschi-Plüss-Nino
Wick-Bykov(Gardner)-Suri
Moser-Trachsler-Ambühl(Walker)

I don't think we'll see any newcomer at the Olympics, the few that had a chance (guys like Bykov or Vermin) are not exactly tearing it up. On the other hand, some guys that were borderline such as i or Bodenmann are making a good case for themselves.

On defense, I think the top two pairs of the last WC will be confirmed, and it makes sense to have Streit play with Sbisa. Not sure who will play on the fourth pair, but I guess that Blindenbacher and Furrer are one step ahead of the rest thanks to their play last spring, so my best guess is:

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

On offense, out of last year's lines, I think Moser - Plüss - Niederreiter and Bieber - Trachsler - Walker are the most likely to stay the same, although Moser could fit well somewhere else and there are possible upgrades over Bieber. Romy and Brunner should play together as that pair worked well in 2012. So I'd start with this:

Brunner - Romy - ?
? (Moser) - Plüss - Niederreiter
? - ? - ?
? (Bieber) - Trachsler - Walker

Then the tricky part is do we replace the guys who did so well last year with other that are better on paper such as Wick, and where does Bärtschi fit? Also, who is the best fit for Brunner and Romy?

I see three possiblities on the first line: Moser, who played well with Romy and Brunner in 2012, Hollenstein, as Romy was set to center him and Bodenmann last year before his injury, plus Hollenstein and Romy play together in Geneva, or Bärtschi.

With Plüss and Niederreiter, the most likely fits are Moser or Bärtschi. I saw Rüthemann as a darkhorse due to his chemistry with Plüss and the fact he was dropped from the team last year because he had no energy left makes me think that Simpson didn't completely give up on him, but with his offense going down, he doesn't belong on a scoring line anymore. If Bärtschi goes there, Moser car either play on the first line as mentionned earlier, or drop to the fourth and play a similar role that the one he had in 2011.

The fourth line worked very well last year, and I definitely see the Trachsler - Walker pair going to Sochi, but I think there are possible upgrades over Bieber. One of them is Moser if there is no spot for him in the top 6, or maybe Ambühl if he's not used on the third line. Rüthemann could also work here, he's done well as a forechecker on a checking line before.

Then there is the third line. i is the favorite for the center spot so far, but I can see Ambühl there as he's often used as a center for the national team. Despite his good play at the WC, I don't see Gardner making the Olympic team. On the wings, if i is the center, Hollenstein and Bodenmann are the obvious favorites while Wick is a good fit with Ambühl. Suri is also a possibility, as well as Bärtschi if Hollenstein and Moser get the spots on the top two lines, and maybe Ambühl if i gets the center spot.

So my best guess for the moment is:

Brunner - Romy - Hollenstein/Moser/Bärtschi
Moser/Bärtschi - Plüss - Niederreiter
Bodenmann/Wick/Ambühl - i/Ambühl - Hollenstein/Suri/Bärtschi
Bieber/Ambühl/Moser/Rüthemann - Trachsler - Walker

Ten players for six spots. I see Moser, Hollenstein and Bärtschi as locks, and Bieber and Rüthemann as darkhorses, which leaves Bodenmann, Wick, Ambühl, i and Suri fighting for three spots.

 

[chokei]

Ten players for six spots. I see Moser, Hollenstein and Bärtschi as locks, and Bieber and Rüthemann as darkhorses, which leaves Bodenmann, Wick, Ambühl, i and Suri fighting for three spots.

For an outsider it may look ridiculous how we are debating about supposed "no names", but IMO it's difficult because those guys are all good hockey players and each of them brings different qualities to the ice, so it's also a question of what do you want on the ice. Bodenmann - bit of everything, Wick - Skill and size (but not physicality), Ambühl - speed, i - vision and passing skills, Suri - grit and a scoring touch.

The Bodenmann-i-Hollenstein line should be kept together, they were so awesome in Stockholm. Same for the Moser-Plüss-Niederreiter line, they had good chemistry. Niederreiter is lucky that he could participate at the WC, he showed what he can bring to this team and thus has cemented his spot for Sotchi IMO. Romy needs to be reintroduced, but only if he has a strong season (which hasn't been the case until today). Where integrate Brunner and Bärtschi? They belong in the top 6, but that doesn't work without destroying good working lines. It would be much easier if Romy were playing as good as last winter, a completely new first line would be thinkable then.

Brunner-Romy-Bärtschi
Bodenmann-i-Hollenstein
Moser-Plüss-Niederreiter
Suri-Trachsler-Walker

That leaves out: Wick, Ambühl, Bieber.

 

[ElTailR]

I don't think we'll see any newcomer at the Olympics

I see [...] Bärtschi as locks

(I really like your guesses and I think they're really good possibility but I just found this funny)

 

[stv11]

The Bodenmann-i-Hollenstein line should be kept together, they were so awesome in Stockholm. Same for the Moser-Plüss-Niederreiter line, they had good chemistry. Niederreiter is lucky that he could participate at the WC, he showed what he can bring to this team and thus has cemented his spot for Sotchi IMO.

The problem with that logic is that you can use the argument for the entire Stockholm team, although I agree that proven chemistry should be a key part of the selection process.

Romy needs to be reintroduced, but only if he has a strong season (which hasn't been the case until today). Where integrate Brunner and Bärtschi? They belong in the top 6, but that doesn't work without destroying good working lines. It would be much easier if Romy were playing as good as last winter, a completely new first line would be thinkable then.

Romy worked very well with Brunner in 2012, and being a proven performer in the national team should outweight club performances as you can't always translate NLA play to international hockey.

Then there is the lack of centers. If not Romy, who plays with Brunner? Plüss and i already have good chemistry with their linemates, as you mentionned, and I don't think i and Brunner should play on the same line anyway. Ambühl could be the only possibility, but he's not exactly outperforming Romy so far this season.

Of course, if Romy has his traditional pre-Olympic injury, this discussion won't matter anymore.

(I really like your guesses and I think they're really good possibility but I just found this funny)

Way to kill my credibility!

Actually I was focused about newcomers from the NLA for some reason.

 

[jonas2244]

I mean, we are discussing if great hockey-players like Wick, Ambühl, etc. may not have a place on the roster. Amazing how Swiss hockey has progressed in the last few years.

Goalies should be clear, Hiller, Berra, Gerber.
On D I also cannot see much room for speculation, if no-one is injured. Two pairings from NA, the two best pairings from the last WC. If anyone wants to crack this he'd need a very strong year. Weber could (this is a very small could) be a possibility as he's able to play F and D. And the selection-rules at the Olympics are quite strict, you may be happy if you have a player who can play both.

On F, this is really tough. I also see Walker and Trachsler getting a spot on the 4th line. I see Plüss and i centering two lines and as I still think Romy is our best C he'd be my lock for the last line on C. On wings, there is no question that "our" 4 NA-wings will be present, Nino, Sven, Brunner and also Moser. So we just have 3 spots left. I always liked Wick and I think he may be an upgrade over Bodenmann, just looking at the skills. Hollenstein is a non-brainer for me so there is just one last spot which I'd give to Ambühl, just as he can play everywhere, in an offensive line, in a defensive line, Center of wing. And he has a lot of experience.

So this would be my team:

Hiller, Berra, Gerber

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

Bärtschi - Romy - Brunner
Moser - Plüss - Nino
Wick - i - Hollenstein
Ambühl - Trachsler - Walker

Man, that looks great.

 

[stv11]

I always liked Wick and I think he may be an upgrade over Bodenmann, just looking at the skills.

I'm not sure Wick and i would fit well together (correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't remember them ever playing on the same line with ZSC), as both are at their best with the puck on their stick, unlike Bodenmann who is good at finding open spots and Hollenstein who uses his speed more.

It would be a shame to go to Sochi without Wick as he was the best Swiss forward in Vancouver and is capable of great performances at this level, but with i making such a strong case for a center spot, I can't think of a place where to fit him. Maybe he can play with Plüss and Niederreiter and Moser can drop to a defensive role? Or Maybe with Bärtschi, but would center them?

 

[jonas2244]

Switching Wick and Moser would be a possibility.

Luxury-problems.