World Cup: 2016 World Cup — Team Russia

[Khomutov]

I have mentioned alternatives.

Ok, but isn´t Kalinin a Center?

 

[Fantomas]

Kalinin has played both center and wing. I prefer him on the wing because he is very strong along the boards.

 

[Fantomas]

I believe it's more because he isn't exactly tearing it up in KHL so far (which is not surprising after a year out of hockey actually). It seems more strange to me that Marchenko is getting no love here, he has been very good for Detroit so far.

I have never much liked Voynov, even though for a while it looked like he was a solid second-pairing defenseman.

Right now he has to prove that he can at least get back to that level. Until then there is no reason to have his unpleasant personality on a national team.

You are completely correct about Marchenko. I think he will be an important player for Detroit for years to come.

 

[Khomutov]

Kalinin has played both center and wing. I prefer him on the wing because he is very strong along the boards.

He seems doing well in New Jersey, sure he is an option. They are also completely different players. But anyway i have a weak spot for Yak.

 

[Khomutov]

Our defense scares me the most. I mean before the Vancouver Olympics i thought we had a decent defense with some pretty good and experienced players. And we got destroyed by Canada. Now it´s just...scary. And on the NHL rinks it will get ugly. Our coaching (Znarok), that could create a balance even with weak defenders is also terrible.

 

[MaxV]

With a good chemistry and tactics, this defense is workable. It looks scary because none of them are putting up offensive points other then Markov, but that's not at all needed on this team.

Smart positioning, quality decision-making with the puck and discipline/avoiding stupid penalties are what is needed.

 

[Sentinel]

Ovy-Kuznetsov-Tarasenko
Kulemin-Anisimov-Panarin
Kovalchuk-Datsyuk-Malkin
?-Namestnikov-Kucherov

? - Radulov, Kalinin, Loktionov, Mozyakin

Emelin-Markov
Medvedev-Tyutin
Orlov-Marchenko
Nesterov

Three usual suspects

 

[Fantomas]

You forgot Kucherov.

 

[Fantomas]

Assuming that some of these guys arrive in North America next year, I would be okay with something like this.

Alex Ovechkin - Evgeni Kuznetsov - Vladimir Tarasenko
Artemi Panarin - Evgeni Malkin - Alexander Radulov
Vlad Namestnikov - Artem Anisimov - Nikita Kucherov
Nikolai Kulemin - Pavel Datsyuk - Sergei Kalinin
Nikita Gusev

Dmitri Kulikov - Nikita Zaitsev
Andrei Markov - Alexei Emelin
Dmitri Orlov - Evgeni Medvedev
Nikita Nesterov - Alexei Marchenko

Semyon Varlamov - Sergei Bobrovsky

I hate Kulikov, but choices are slim at the moment.

 

[Fantomas]

Also I never want to see Kovalchuk on the NT again. Even worse sporting a C.

 

[Fantomas]

Gusev - Datsyuk - Kalinin, or Gusev - Datsyuk - Kulemin would be a very entertaining line.

 

[Yakushev72]

Also I never want to see Kovalchuk on the NT again. Even worse sporting a C.

I don't think we'll see any KHL players on the roster. There is no incentive for the KHL to participate, and there are enough Russians in the NHL to fill out a roster.

 

[MaximusT]

Assuming that some of these guys arrive in North America next year, I would be okay with something like this.

Alex Ovechkin - Evgeni Kuznetsov - Vladimir Tarasenko
Artemi Panarin - Evgeni Malkin - Alexander Radulov
Vlad Namestnikov - Artem Anisimov - Nikita Kucherov
Nikolai Kulemin - Pavel Datsyuk - Sergei Kalinin
Nikita Gusev

Dmitri Kulikov - Nikita Zaitsev
Andrei Markov - Alexei Emelin
Dmitri Orlov - Evgeni Medvedev
Nikita Nesterov - Alexei Marchenko

Semyon Varlamov - Sergei Bobrovsky

I hate Kulikov, but choices are slim at the moment.

I like the forward lines...but that defense...OUCH

Also, have to go with Bob as the #1 IMO

 

[Khomutov]

Ovehkin-Kuznetsov-Tarasenko should be fun.

 

[MaximusT]

Is there any chance that some of the KHL clubs allow for a select few players to go?

 

[Sentinel]

You forgot Kucherov.

No I didn't. Fourth line.

 

[Kshahdoo]

Ovehkin-Kuznetsov-Tarasenko should be fun.

I don't think so. I think Tarasenko should play with Panarin and Malkin. He should be a primary scorer on his line.

 

[Zine]

Ovechkin - Kuznetsov - Radulov
Kulemin - Malkin - Tarasenko
Panarin - Datsyuk - Kucherov
Kovalchuk - Anisimov - Kalinin
Gusev

Markov - Emelin
Voynov - Kulikov
Orlov - Zaitsev
Marchenko - Medvedev

Varlamov
Bobrovsky
Vasilevsky

 

[Khomutov]

I don't think so. I think Tarasenko should play with Panarin and Malkin. He should be a primary scorer on his line.

I don't know. Kuznetsov has some chemistry with Ovechkin and played also with Tarasenko at the World Juniors. Tarasenko and Ovechkin both have lethal shots, Kuznetsov has great vision and is a brilliant set up man.

 

[Fantomas]

No I didn't. Fourth line.

Oh. My bad.

 

[Atas2000]

Ovechkin - Kuznetsov - Radulov
Kulemin - Malkin - Tarasenko
Panarin - Datsyuk - Kucherov
Kovalchuk - Anisimov - Kalinin
Gusev

Markov - Emelin
Voynov - Kulikov
Orlov - Zaitsev
Marchenko - Medvedev

Varlamov
Bobrovsky
Vasilevsky

Almost an exact match to mine from the other thread on offence, while I don't like putting Panarin, Dats, Kucherov on one line. Too much creative skill, but who's going to score the goals? Not that I think they coudn't score, but I'd put a pure scorer with 2 of the 3. And I don't see Kalinin on the roster.

On D I'm for a more creative approch. Time to move on and give the boot to the "old" guard because they just can't cut it, except Markov.

No Voynov or Kulikov please. Voynov is an unknown and he has shown how he can *** up on the NT. Kulikov doesn't deserve a spot on so many levels. He has shown nothing as a player and he screwed up royally on numerous occasions attitude wise. He seems to be a pure egotist who doesn't give a damn about the NT or his country for that matter.

I'm all for inviting the young guys like Nesterov, Zadorov, heck even Provorov instead. What do we have to lose with our D?

Markov will lead with experience. And let Bragin's crew gel and carry the load. Tarasenko, Kuznetsov, Panarin, Orlov, Zaytsev. That guys won't dissappoint, I'm sure of it and call me a dreamer. Add Nesterov, Marchenko, Zadorov and let them fight. They are young, they will play their hearts out. They might lose, but they won't without a fight.

 

[Khomutov]

No way Znarok will invite players like Nesterov, Zadorov or Provorov to the NT. Ok if nobody comes from the KHL to the World Cup, than he will not have many choices.

 

[Sentinel]

No way Znarok will invite players like Nesterov, Zadorov or Provorov to the NT. Ok if nobody comes from the KHL to the World Cup, than he will not have many choices.

Apparently Znarok and Zhamnov are going to see some Tampa Bay games to evaluate Nesterov and Namestnikov. Kucherov is already a lock for the team.

I would keep the club connections intact: Ovy-Kuzya, Panarin-Anisimov, Namestnikov-Kucherov (they play together on occasions).

Zaytsev is looking to become a Maple Leaf next season. Don't know if it has any bearings on his NT status.

 

[cgf]

I'd be curious to see the forwards split into creative duos, which would be paired up with a complimentary 3rd guy who rounds out the unit; then the team could just roll all 4 lines evenly with something like:

Ovi - Kuznetsov - Namestnikov*
Panarin - Anisimov - Tarasenko
Gusev* - Datsyuk - Radulov
Kulemin* - Malkin - Kucherov

*replace with others based on fit with what duos shake out.

 

[nabby12]

Almost an exact match to mine from the other thread on offence, while I don't like putting Panarin, Dats, Kucherov on one line. Too much creative skill, but who's going to score the goals? Not that I think they coudn't score, but I'd put a pure scorer with 2 of the 3. And I don't see Kalinin on the roster.

On D I'm for a more creative approch. Time to move on and give the boot to the "old" guard because they just can't cut it, except Markov.

No Voynov or Kulikov please. Voynov is an unknown and he has shown how he can *** up on the NT. Kulikov doesn't deserve a spot on so many levels. He has shown nothing as a player and he screwed up royally on numerous occasions attitude wise. He seems to be a pure egotist who doesn't give a damn about the NT or his country for that matter.

I'm all for inviting the young guys like Nesterov, Zadorov, heck even Provorov instead. What do we have to lose with our D?

Markov will lead with experience. And let Bragin's crew gel and carry the load. Tarasenko, Kuznetsov, Panarin, Orlov, Zaytsev. That guys won't dissappoint, I'm sure of it and call me a dreamer. Add Nesterov, Marchenko, Zadorov and let them fight. They are young, they will play their hearts out. They might lose, but they won't without a fight.

Why the hate for Kulikov?

I talked to him after a recent Panthers game and he was incredible to talk to. One of the best locker room post-game interviews I've ever done. We even joked around a little bit afterwards despite the Panthers 12 game winning streak coming to an end.

He seems to love playing for the National Team as he told me this, "It's always a big honour when you get called up to the National Team. You play the role you're given. Every player over there is really good, leaders of their club teams. And they kind of put together the best team they have and you have your own role with the team. It might not be the role you usually play with your club, but you still have to give it your all when you play for your country."

He also seems excited at the chance of playing in the upcoming World Cup in Toronto, "I'd really love to play in it. I have no comment about it because it's not up to me...I can only do what I do on the ice and hope I get picked to play."