WC: 2017 Team Russia

[IDiO]

Znarok is moving in the right direction. This is exactly the hockey team Russia must play to become elite again.

Become elite?

Maybe in the late 90s you could say that Russia is not a serious contender for the gold, but ever since Québec only utter Russophobes would claim that it isn't. But elite? It's always been elite. Ever since the 60s.

 

[IDiO]

It's not possible, sorry.

Well yeah, he isn't coming. But otherwise - why not?..

 

[Siberian]

Vs weak Teams the russian Machine is oiled. But vs Canada etc.????????

You are right, this is still not strong enough team Russia to beat best Canada's teams. The problem is there is still a big talent hole when it comes to depth. However I wrote a while ago that my expectations are that latest "stable" years in Russia will surely deliver a new generation of hockey stars with some depth. We started seeing it already this year but in 2020 and on this will be seen clearly.

 

[BlitzSnipe]

Jesus Christ, Russian fans are the worst. If a player doesn't come - they make excuses for him (Radulov), but if there's a truly patriotic, good, constantly available hockey player - they ***** and moan about not wanting him to come.

Remember Kovalchuk in Québec IHWC ? Everyone was complaining about him being "useless" and called up for no reason. Then he scored 4:4 and OT GWG against ****ing Canada playing at home. Don't discount players of this caliber ever. They will surprise you.

No one's saying that Ovechkin isn't patriotic, and I'm a fan of Ovechkin, but:

1) He usually isn't capable of helping the Russian NT much. Other players and perhaps the coaches focus too much on him
and expect him to do all the work - that's not possible in modern hockey. The current lineup is performing quite well
at the moment and the addition of Ovechkin might create unnecessary disorder.
2) He hasn't looked like himself this year in the NHL.
3) Apparently he's also injured at the moment.

 

[Siberian]

Become elite?

Maybe in the late 90s you could say that Russia is not a serious contender for the gold, but ever since Québec only utter Russophobes would claim that it isn't. But elite? It's always been elite. Ever since the 60s.

Under my definition of elite only Canada can classify, Sweden and USA are step below. But I believe that Russia will move Sweden and USA down very soon. What Russia needs is the depth enough to put two competitive teams Russia and beat any other team outside of Canada with any of these two teams.

 

[BlitzSnipe]

Maybe Nichushkin can win some board battles against Canadians. Otherwise I don't much care for him.

It's true that Nichushkin is probably tougher to handle along the boards for defensemen, but Kaprizov must be the better marksman. The kid's a sniper.

 

[BlitzSnipe]

Under my definition of elite only Canada can classify, Sweden and USA are step below. But I believe that Russia will move Sweden and USA down very soon. What Russia needs is the depth enough to put two competitive teams Russia and beat any other team outside of Canada with any of these two teams.

I wouldn't agree that Sweden is above Russia, Russia tends to win the Swe-Rus games.

 

[MaxV]

Become elite?

Maybe in the late 90s you could say that Russia is not a serious contender for the gold, but ever since Québec only utter Russophobes would claim that it isn't. But elite? It's always been elite. Ever since the 60s.

That's every top Russian player, or even mid-level Russian player, refused to represent the country.

I had a thread on History board about this.

 

[Nino33]

Znarok is moving in the right direction. This is exactly the hockey team Russia must play to become elite again. This was the best passing game I have seen Russia play in a very long time. This is the type of hockey that Russia needs to play at all levels. For a very long time there was no really direction where Russian hockey was going but now it seems they finally got a clue. There is a clear picture what hockey is being played unlike any other years, even the ones when Russia won.

This is the type of hockey that will allow Russia to dominate in the next decade starting in a couple of years when I expect Russia to take on leading role in hockey again. Russian machine is back.

I see other posts like this in this thread, and what it makes me think of is how different Canadian hockey fans are from Russian hockey fans.....I can't imagine Canadian fans even caring about games against 2nd/3rd tier teams in round robin games

I'm not at all convinced that round robin wins against teams that never win anything is proof that Russia is "taking a leading role in hockey"

 

[BlitzSnipe]

Me too. I thought I was going to break the windows with the sheer volume of my screaming Especially considering that it was the first win since 93 if I recall correctly.

Anyway - Radulov doesn't want to play anymore. No injury, no playoff obligations - still no show. Screw him. Malkin would be amazing, but his team is unfortunately too much of a permanent fixture in the later playoff rounds. He's the Datsyuk of his generation. Unfortunately.

Ovechkin, though... I don't know. It's possible that he'd come and not do much for most of the tournament. But it's also possible that he'd come and score a hat-trick against Canada in the final. We'll never know now, but regardless, I don't understand all the hatred he's gotten in the press and on various forums this past month. He's the better version of Bure Brothers, who actually cares about the national team...

Haha, awesome for you, you have two teams to cheer for .

 

[Yakushev72]

Nichushkin added to official roster.

Kaprizov and Lyubimov goes to home.

Kaprizov was sitting in the press box for tonight's game joking with Kuznetsov and Orlov, and still wearing his Team Russia blazer, so he is not gone yet!

 

[BlitzSnipe]

Kaprizov was sitting in the press box for tonight's game joking with Kuznetsov and Orlov, and still wearing his Team Russia blazer, so he is not gone yet!

Man, I want Kaprizov to play and snipe some goals for Russia . The kid's a real talent and a very positive figure.

 

[Lataba76]

You are right, this is still not strong enough team Russia to beat best Canada's teams. The problem is there is still a big talent hole when it comes to depth. However I wrote a while ago that my expectations are that latest "stable" years in Russia will surely deliver a new generation of hockey stars with some depth. We started seeing it already this year but in 2020 and on this will be seen clearly.

2020 is Finland very strong too. Interesting development for both countries.

 

[Siberian]

I see other posts like this in this thread, and what it makes me think of is how different Canadian hockey fans are from Russian hockey fans.....I can't imagine Canadian fans even caring about games against 2nd/3rd tier teams in round robin games

I'm not at all convinced that round robin wins against teams that never win anything is proof that Russia is "taking a leading role in hockey"

I don't think a lot of people cared about this particular game against Slovakia, many understand that Slovakia is now at its low point due to lack of talent. However what I was talking about is that this game clearly shows that there is a system finally in place. There were thoughts in most attacks, they were trying to use their skill to its potential, which is great passing, quick movement and unpredictability. Seriously, this is the best team performance I have seen from Russia since forever.

 

[jimstark]

It's not certain yet.

That link does not work. What does it says?
Swedish reportert said under the game today that he is out and will leave for Russia

 

[Nino33]

I don't think a lot of people cared about this particular game against Slovakia, many understand that Slovakia is now at its low point due to lack of talent. However what I was talking about is that this game clearly shows that there is a system finally in place. There were thoughts in most attacks, they were trying to use their skill to its potential, which is great passing, quick movement and unpredictability. Seriously, this is the best team performance I have seen from Russia since forever.

Cool! I'm glad you're happy/enjoying the hockey (just surprised you put so much stock into one game/one tournament...especially given the decades of no success at best-on-best; to suggest Russia will dominate for the next decade seems a bit much to me)

 

[Siberian]

Cool! I'm glad you're happy/enjoying the hockey (just surprised you put so much stock into one game/one tournament...especially given the decades of no success at best-on-best; to suggest Russia will dominate for the next decade seems a bit much to me)

One game? It is the next logical step. After the collapse of Russia [MOD] hockey in Russia was not dead, but pretty much in coma. People couldn't put bread on the table, hockey arenas were empty. Then finally in 2008 after a period of certain stability finally a gold at the WC. You may say this is 2nd tier tournament, well this is pretty much the best we, international hockey fans have right now. In the last 8 years - Russia captured 4 Golds, more than anybody else. The next step would be beating Canada in best on best. It will happen.

 

[jimstark]

Ok this forum is starting to make some noise but i will not go into the Russia verses Canada and the past etc and Ovi....

I will sum up what i have seen so far :

1) I like this team they play a fast play with moving deffence where alle lines work hard
2) Props to Znarok for putting the 4 line together with Tegelin and company what a line they play like every shift is their last and is just what Russia need for upcoming games
3) Provorov still amazes me in a very quiet and calm way..just what i want from our young deffenders coming the next years ( to me this has been Russias weakes link the last 10 years or so)
4) Yes we have not played against USA and Canada but i am not really interested in the numbers i just want them to win and to see how they play together , working together and so on and i like it. They seem like a young and hungry team !!
5) Vasilijev (i know i spell his name not right sorry ) has been good when testet looks promising
6) I guess the Caps player are in on monday ?
7) Nichuskin does not impress me so far...
8) If Mosykain is out thats very sad because i think this would be he last WC...stupid German player...

And my big question and i am litle bit nervous for this...how is Panarin? Him being out today comes a surprice to me have not heard about him beein hurt

To me he is very very importent if we shall win the gold.

To sum it up keep it up Russia as Dadynov said after the game they are young and hungry!!!!!

I am Russia bigget fans here in Norway so you russian better keep me informed what russian newspaper say othewice i will have some sort of breakdown

 

[Caser]

Mozyakin is out, Panarin's injury is nothing serious, also Barabanov is slightly hurt, but is able to play.

 

[Fantomas]

2) Props to Znarok for putting the 4 line together with Tegelin and company what a line they play like every shift is their last and is just what Russia need for upcoming games

I like Telegin as well. Noticed a few Russia fans have criticized Znarok for including him, but I'm a firm believer in having an energy line.

Has anyone counted his faceoff percentage?

 

[Nino33]

You may say this is 2nd tier tournament, well this is pretty much the best we, international hockey fans have right now. In the last 8 years - Russia captured 4 Golds, more than anybody else.

The Olympics are best-on-best...in the last 8 years there's been the 2014 and 2010 Olympics (and three more with NHLers before that) - I'm not sure why you'd point to the WC (not a best-on-best) and not Olympics (a best-on-best)

Apparently the NHL won't be at the 2018 Olympics, but that hasn't actually happened yet (so international hockey is not yet any different)

You may say this is 2nd tier tournament, well this is pretty much the best we, international hockey fans have right now. In the last 8 years - Russia captured 4 Golds, more than anybody else. The next step would be beating Canada in best on best. It will happen.

It's odd for me to see the view some express regarding Canada as a "hockey power"

My hockey memory starts in 1976...I don't think some posters understand Canada like they think they do: in the 1970s and 1980s Canada didn't assume they'd win!

An argument could be reasonably made that Canada at the time felt that they were not at all the unequivocal #1 in hockey

Many European/Russian methods were touted as better than Canadian ways




I believe in one game almost anybody can beat Canada, and the multiple hockey powers all have a shot everytime; I've never experienced the confidence/assuredness that maybe some Canadian fans have

I don't see Russia in the same way as I did in the 70s and 80s (I miss the "specialness" that Canada/Russia had back then); I do see other countries as more of a threat because they have won over the years (whether a 2nd/3rd tier team winning a single game, or a 1st tier team winning a medal round game)

But even in best-on-best, I see multiple countries in addition to Canada as a threat to win it all (and in one game anything can happen, regardless of who you're playing)



Good luck to Russia, Canada, and all the nations playing in the 2017 WC

 

[Atas2000]

You are right, this is still not strong enough team Russia to beat best Canada's teams. The problem is there is still a big talent hole when it comes to depth. However I wrote a while ago that my expectations are that latest "stable" years in Russia will surely deliver a new generation of hockey stars with some depth. We started seeing it already this year but in 2020 and on this will be seen clearly.

Depth? Really? Russia has more depth than most nations. The depth hole you are writing about is artficially created by a stupid coach.

 

[Atas2000]

I like Telegin as well. Noticed a few Russia fans have criticized Znarok for including him, but I'm a firm believer in having an energy line.

Has anyone counted his faceoff percentage?

I don't like skillless lines people call "energy lines". But I do understand the concept. For the sake of diversity which allows to ice lines playing very different hockey I am not blaming Znarok for having a 4th line of grinders. I also like the players so far. Znarok's problems normally start at the line dividing skilled superstars from your averge players. THAT is our true problem. The 4th line is more than fine so far. But we all knew Znarok can build a HC MVD. Can he build a team Russia without his ususal major blunders?

 

[tsamolotoff]

To be honest, if Bill was allowed to take his usual 6-pack of Lukoyanovs to the Olympics the team would probably perform better, especially against the same sort of defense oriented teams like the Finns. Instead he was pressured to take the chokemen and play Ovie on the blue line where he created more chances for the opposition rather than Team Russia. Same would probably happen to Znarok - Tretyak et al. would cry to Putin that his favourite player is not in the roster and the beaver would have to take him in

 

[kp61c]

Depth? Really? Russia has more depth than most nations. The depth hole you are writing about is artficially created by a stupid coach.

i don't agree. no depth whatsoever. in terms of depth canada blows russia out of the water ainec. that's why russia has never won the best vs best torney.