All Time Olympic Teams

[Randomtask68]

What players would be on their respective country's teams if it were spanned the entire history of the game? I'm intrigued to see if their are any teams that would be able to contend with say a Canadian team led by players like Gretzky, Lemieux, Sakic, Yzerman, Potvin, Orr, Coffey, Bourque, Messier and so on and so forth.

Click to read more...

 

[begbeee]

Obvious answer is Russia.

Czechoslovakia is close, too..

 

[Randomtask68]

anyone willing to put up possible lineups?

 

[TheDevilMadeMe]

USSR/Russia has enough talent to roll four 5-man units, as they liked to do:

Valeri Kharlamov - Vladimir Petrov - Boris Mikhailov
Vladimir Krutov - Igor Larionov - Sergei Makarov
Anatoli Firsov - Vyacheslav Starshinov - Alexander Maltsev
Alexander Ovechkin - Sergei Fedorov - Pavel Bure

Spares: Alexander Yakushev, Evgeni Malkin, Alexander Mogilny

Valeri Vasiliev - Vladimir Lutchenko
Slava Fetisov - Alexei Kasatonov
Vitaly Davydov - Viktor Kuzkin
Alexander Ragulin - Sergei Zubov

Vladislav Tretiak
Victor Konovalenko

Spares: Vladimir Konstantinov, Sergei Gonchar, Yuri Liapkin

 

[TheDevilMadeMe]

My attempt at Team Czechoslovakia (pretending there was never a split): Stacked at right wing and better goaltending than the USSR, but definitely not as stacked overall:

Patrik Elias - Peter Stastny - Jaromir Jagr
Jiri Holik - Ivan Hlinka - Vladimir Martinec
Zigmund Palffy - Milan Novy - Vaclav Nedomansky
Martin Straka - Bobby Holik - Marion Hossa
Extras = Pavol Demitra, Miroslav Satan, Peter Bondra, Robert Reichel

Zdeno Chara - Frantisek Pospisil
Jan Suchy - Peter Svoboda
Tomas Kaberle - Robert Svehla
Extras = Frantisek Tikal, Jiri Bubla

Dominik Hasek
Jiri Holecek

The top 3 lines would likely play a left-wing lock system of the type actually invented by the Czechs in the 70s (I think by coach Jaroslav Pitner).

Honestly, the lack of all-time worthy LWs is so poor, I was forced to move Palffy to the left side. The extras were probably all more talented than Straka, but I can see him fitting in on a defensive-minded 4th line better. If you want all offense, swap in Bondra/Satan and Demitra for Straka and Bobby Holik.

Top 3 defensemen (Chara, Pospisil, Suchy) are strong, but there's a big dropoff afterwards.

 

[TheDevilMadeMe]

Team USA

John Leclair - Mike Modano - Brett Hull
Keith Tkachuk - Pat Lafontaine - Joe Mullen
Chris Drury - Jeremy Roenick - Cecil Dillon
Zach Parise - Neil Broten - Tony Amonte

Extras = Scott Gomez, Bobby Carpenter, Brian Rolston

Chris Chelios - Brian Leetch
Rod Langway - Gary Suter
Derian Hatcher - Phil Housley
Extras: Kevin Hatcher, Taffy Abel, Dave Langevin, Brian Rafalski

Frank Brimsek
John Vanbiesbrouck (or Tom Barrasso or Mike Richter)

When you have the likes of Zach Parise, Chris Drury, and Tony Amonte on a nation's all-time team, you know the depth of forwards is lacking.

 

[tony d]

My attempt at a Team Canada

Bobby Hull-Wayne Gretzky-Gordie Howe
Johnny Bucyk-Mario Lemieux-Maurice Richard
Luc Robitaille-Jean Beliveau-Guy Lafluer
Ted Lindsay-Marcel Dionne-Mike Bossy

Extra: Mark Messier

Bobby Orr-Doug Harvey
Denis Potvin-Eddie Shore
Larry Robinson-Paul Coffey

Extra: Brad Park

Patrick Roy
Terry Sawchuk

Extra: Martin Brodeur

Would be a good lineup that would probably win a medal.

 

[begbeee]

What about Pouzar? He was a left wing specialist and played left wing lock system on Gretzky´s line.

 

[Zine]

Kharlamov – Petrov – Mikhailov
Krutov – Larionov – Makarov
Bobrov – Firsov – Malkin
Ovechkin – Fedorov – Bure

Fetisov – Kasatonov
Vasiliev – Zubov
Konstantinov – Ragulin

Tretiak
Khabibulin

 

[Infinite Vision*]

All time European team vs. All time Canadian team.

Team Europe:

Ovechkin - Forsberg - Jagr
Kovalchuk - Malkin - Bure
Kharlamov - Fedorov - Kurri
Naslund - Stastny - Selanne

Lidstrom - Fetisov
Chara - Vasiliev
Salming - Konstantinov

Hasek
Tretiak

Team Canada:

Hull - Lemieux - Howe
Bossy - Gretzky - Lafleur
Yzerman - Lindros - Crosby
Kariya - Sakic - Richard

Orr - Coffey
Harvey - Bourque
Shore - Potvin

Roy
Plante

Close, but even still I think an all time Canada team is better than a European one.

 

[begbeee]

All time European team vs. All time Canadian team.

Team Europe:

Ovechkin - Forsberg - Jagr
Kovalchuk - Malkin - Bure
Kharlamov - Fedorov - Kurri
Naslund - Stastny - Selanne

Lidstrom - Fetisov
Chara - Vasiliev
Salming - Konstantinov

Hasek
Tretiak

Team Canada:

Hull - Lemieux - Howe
Bossy - Gretzky - Lafleur
Yzerman - Lindros - Crosby
Kariya - Sakic - Richard

Orr - Coffey
Harvey - Bourque
Shore - Potvin

Roy
Plante

Close, but even still I think an all time Canada team is better than a European one.

This is about best players, not about "most famous ones which I saw through my life and few about which I read in History of NHL for children".

 

[Infinite Vision*]

This is about best players, not about "most famous ones which I saw through my life and few about which I read in History of NHL for children".

Where's your list smart guy?

 

[TheDevilMadeMe]

Kovalchuk and Malkin shouldn't be anywhere near an all-time Europe team.

This is my attempt at an all-Europe team. This one tries to pay a little attention to chemistry, while also getting the best players on the ice.

Anatoli Firsov - Peter Stastny - Jaromir Jagr
Valeri Kharlamov - Vladimir Petrov - Boris Mikhailov
Alexander Ovechkin - Sergei Fedorov - Sergei Makarov
Teemu Selanne - Peter Forsberg - Jari Kurri

Extras: Vladimir Krutov, Igor Larionov, Alexander Maltsev, Vladimir Martinec, Vaclav Nedomansky, Mats Sundin, Patrik Elias, Marian Hossa

Nicklas Lidstrom - Borje Salming
Slava Fetisov - Alexander Kasatonov
Valeri Vasiliev - Zdeno Chara

Extras: Jan Suchy, Frantisek Pospisil, Alexander Ragulin

Dominik Hasek
Vladislav Tretiak

____________________________

If you want to make it all-non Canada, this becomes the defense:

Nicklas Lidstrom - Chris Chelios
Slava Fetisov - Valeri Vasiliev
Borje Salming - Brian Leetch

Extra: Zdeno Chara.

Adding US players doesn't change the forwards much, though you could slot Brett Hull in somewhere.

 

[Hawkey Town 18]

My attempt at a Team Canada

Bobby Hull-Wayne Gretzky-Gordie Howe
Johnny Bucyk-Mario Lemieux-Maurice Richard
Luc Robitaille-Jean Beliveau-Guy Lafluer
Ted Lindsay-Marcel Dionne-Mike Bossy

Extra: Mark Messier

Bobby Orr-Doug Harvey
Denis Potvin-Eddie Shore
Larry Robinson-Paul Coffey



Extra: Brad Park

Patrick Roy
Terry Sawchuk

Extra: Martin Brodeur

Would be a good lineup that would probably win a medal.

Looks like you only put players at the position they actually played, so I'll do the same. Here's my lineup with changes bolded...
(Note: Messier played LW before C, so I took a little liberty and put him there)

Bobby Hull-Wayne Gretzky-Gordie Howe
Ted Lindsay-Mario Lemieux-Maurice Richard
Dickie Moore-Jean Beliveau-Guy Lafluer
Mark Messier-Bobby Clarke-Mike Bossy

Extra: Stan Mikita

Bobby Orr-Doug Harvey
Ray Bourque-Eddie Shore
Dennis Potvin-Red Kelly

Extra: Larry Robinson

Patrick Roy
Terry Sawchuk

Extra: Jaques Plante

EDIT: Probably should put Howe and Lindsay on the same line...switch Richard and Howe

 

[begbeee]

Kovalchuk and Malkin shouldn't be anywhere near an all-time Europe team.

This is my attempt at an all-Europe team. This one tries to pay a little attention to chemistry, while also getting the best players on the ice.

Anatoli Firsov - Peter Stastny - Jaromir Jagr
Valeri Kharlamov - Vladimir Petrov - Boris Mikhailov
Vladimir Krutov - Sergei Fedorov - Sergei Makarov
Teemu Selanne - Peter Forsberg - Jari Kurri

Extras: Igor Larionov, Alexander Maltsev, Vladimir Martinec, Vaclav Nedomansky, Mats Sundin, Patrik Elias, Marian Hossa

Nicklas Lidstrom - Borje Salming
Slava Fetisov - Alexander Kasatonov
Valeri Vasiliev - Zdeno Chara

Extras: Jan Suchy, Frantisek Pospisil

Dominik Hasek
Vladislav Tretiak

____________________________

If you want to make it all-non Canada, this becomes the defense:

Nicklas Lidstrom - Chris Chelios
Slava Fetisov - Valeri Vasiliev
Borje Salming - Brian Leetch

Extra: Zdeno Chara.

Adding US players doesn't change the forwards much, though you could slot Brett Hull in somewhere.

I am interesting in your opinion about Ragulin? (all-euro team) If you add opinion about Pouzar I will be very thankful. (CSSR all-time team). Thanx.

 

[TheDevilMadeMe]

I am interesting in your opinion about Ragulin? (all-euro team) If you add opinion about Pouzar I will be very thankful. (CSSR all-time team). Thanx.

I should have included Ragulin. He played at the same time as Suchy, and Suchy was definitely better when he played, but Ragulin's greater longevity should have put him as a spare on about the same level. I also added Ovechkin to the lineup over Krutov. He should definitely be on it by now.

And honestly, I know very little about Pouzar. His name rarely comes up in North America. Should we know more about him?

 

[begbeee]

I should have included Ragulin. He played at the same time as Suchy, and Suchy was definitely better when he played, but Ragulin's greater longevity should have put him as a spare on about the same level. I also added Ovechkin to the lineup over Krutov. He should definitely be on it by now.

And honestly, I know very little about Pouzar. His name rarely comes up in North America. Should we know more about him?

Pouzar started to play hockey in top CS league in 17 years (1969). During 12 seasons he scored 279 goals and in 1978/79 he won goal scoring race with 42 goals.

He is World Champion 1976 (8 games 8 points) and 1977, he played on WOG 1980 and played also on Canadian Cup 1976. (He played on another more WCH...)

He played on a line with Kurri and Gretzky and won SC in 1983 and 1985 and add another one in 1987.


He is a perfect fit to your left-wing lock CSSR team as he is or was considered as one of the prototype players for left-wing lock in Czechoslovakia.

 

[jkrx]

All time European team vs. All time Canadian team.

Team Europe:

Ovechkin - Forsberg - Jagr
Kovalchuk - Malkin - Bure
Kharlamov - Fedorov - Kurri
Naslund - Stastny - Selanne

Lidstrom - Fetisov
Chara - Vasiliev
Salming - Konstantinov

Hasek
Tretiak

Team Canada:

Hull - Lemieux - Howe
Bossy - Gretzky - Lafleur
Yzerman - Lindros - Crosby
Kariya - Sakic - Richard

Orr - Coffey
Harvey - Bourque
Shore - Potvin

Roy
Plante

Close, but even still I think an all time Canada team is better than a European one.

Yes, the european team became weaker as you werent even close to picking the best players.

Chara, amongst the top6 defensemen in europe of all time? Konstantinov?

Firsov - Petrov - Makarov
Kharlamov - Stastny - Jagr
Selänne - Fedorov - Maltsev
Sterner - Forsberg - Mikhailov

Extras: Sundin, Martinec, Tumba, Bobrov and Nedomansky.

Lidström - Salming
Suchy - Fetisov
Kasatonov - Pospisil

Extras: Vasiliev, Tatarinov, Tikal, Stoltz, Chara.

Hasek
Tretiak
Holecek

Honouary mention: Pelle Lindbergh, I believe he could've been one of the true greats.


On a side not. My team is not really ranked as I just wrote the best player of the top of my head. If this is debated some may be substituted for a player I forgot and so on.

 

[Infinite Vision*]

Yes, the european team became weaker as you werent even close to picking the best players.

Chara, amongst the top6 defensemen in europe of all time? Konstantinov?

Firsov - Petrov - Makarov
Kharlamov - Stastny - Jagr
Selänne - Fedorov - Maltsev
Sterner - Forsberg - Mikhailov

Extras: Sundin, Martinec, Tumba, Bobrov and Nedomansky.

Lidström - Salming
Suchy - Fetisov
Kasatonov - Pospisil

Extras: Vasiliev, Tatarinov, Tikal, Stoltz, Chara.

Hasek
Tretiak
Holecek

Honouary mention: Pelle Lindbergh, I believe he could've been one of the true greats.


On a side not. My team is not really ranked as I just wrote the best player of the top of my head. If this is debated some may be substituted for a player I forgot and so on.

I don't really see how the team you assembled is any better, infact I would argue it's not as good.

 

[TheDevilMadeMe]

Chara, amongst the top6 defensemen in europe of all time?

Why not? It's perfectly defensible. Only nostalgia would rank Pospisil, Suchy, or Kasatonov as clearly better than Chara.

The exclusion of Makarov was the biggest issue I had with his team.

 

[finchster]

I put some thought into my picks for Canada and here is the team I came up with

Hull - Gretzky - Howe
Lemieux - Beliveau - Richard
Morenz - Mikita - Lafleur
Lindsay - Clarke - Conacher
Sakic

Orr- Shore
Harvey- Coffey
Bourque- Seibert
Clapper

Roy
Plante
Sawchuk

Canada has so many great centers but not so many equally great wingers. Some players would have to switch to the wing like in 2010. Lemieux played on the LW on occasion and Morenz is a smaller faster player so moving them to the wing made sense, also with Believau centering that line you don’t lose anything with Lemieux on the wing. I wanted Phil Esposito on the roster because he was the ultimate leader during the summit series but that would leave Canada with no right handed center and took Mikita instead. I felt no right handed center left Canada at a slight disadvantage. Putting Esposito as the extra forward wouldn’t accomplish much if he isn’t playing. The Line of Lindsay, Clarke and Charlie Conacher is a total grind line that would wear opponents out, Clarke is also a premier defensive center that could kill penalties nicely. I put Sakic as the extra forward, his offensive and defensive abilities would come in handy in a tournament like the Olympics as an extra forward.

There are so many talented left handed shots on defense it was important to have right handed shots, so a few talented players were overlooked. Since Shore is a right handed shot he and Orr fit nicely together. Harvey and Coffey are two left handed shots, but having the best defensive defenseman next to the second best offensive defenseman is a deadly pair. Seibert is a tough no nonsense defenseman who was known for his defensive abilities and shot blocking as well as getting a few points. A player like that would allow Bourque more freedom in the offensive zone, to take a few more risks. The Bruins homer in me took Dit Clapper as the extra defenseman. Clapper was an all star at forward and defense, someone who could play every position on the ice could be an ace up your sleeve if there are injuries.

The goaltenders are really a no brainer maybe Plante over Roy, or Hall over Sawchuk other than that I think this team has the right mix of skill, grit, toughness and leadership.

 

[TheDevilMadeMe]

I put some thought into my picks for Canada and here is the team I came up with

Hull - Gretzky - Howe
Lemieux - Beliveau - Richard
Morenz - Mikita - Lafleur
Lindsay - Clarke - Conacher
Sakic

Orr- Shore
Harvey- Coffey
Bourque- Seibert
Clapper

Roy
Plante
Sawchuk

Canada has so many great centers but not so many equally great wingers. Some players would have to switch to the wing like in 2010. Lemieux played on the LW on occasion and Morenz is a smaller faster player so moving them to the wing made sense, also with Believau centering that line you don’t lose anything with Lemieux on the wing. I wanted Phil Esposito on the roster because he was the ultimate leader during the summit series but that would leave Canada with no right handed center and took Mikita instead. I felt no right handed center left Canada at a slight disadvantage. Putting Esposito as the extra forward wouldn’t accomplish much if he isn’t playing. The Line of Lindsay, Clarke and Charlie Conacher is a total grind line that would wear opponents out, Clarke is also a premier defensive center that could kill penalties nicely. I put Sakic as the extra forward, his offensive and defensive abilities would come in handy in a tournament like the Olympics as an extra forward.

There are so many talented left handed shots on defense it was important to have right handed shots, so a few talented players were overlooked. Since Shore is a right handed shot he and Orr fit nicely together. Harvey and Coffey are two left handed shots, but having the best defensive defenseman next to the second best offensive defenseman is a deadly pair. Seibert is a tough no nonsense defenseman who was known for his defensive abilities and shot blocking as well as getting a few points. A player like that would allow Bourque more freedom in the offensive zone, to take a few more risks. The Bruins homer in me took Dit Clapper as the extra defenseman. Clapper was an all star at forward and defense, someone who could play every position on the ice could be an ace up your sleeve if there are injuries.

The goaltenders are really a no brainer maybe Plante over Roy, or Hall over Sawchuk other than that I think this team has the right mix of skill, grit, toughness and leadership.

This is a great job. There's a reason I didn't try to do Canada. So many great players, but they don't all fit together. I think I'd rather switch Messier to RW on the 4th line than use Conacher. He just seems like he'd have a better 4th line mentality.

I'm not sure about the D. You just have to have Potvin on the blueline somewhere.

 

[overpass]

Team USA

John Leclair - Mike Modano - Brett Hull
Keith Tkachuk - Pat Lafontaine - Joe Mullen
Chris Drury - Jeremy Roenick - Cecil Dillon
Zach Parise - Neil Broten - Tony Amonte

Extras = Scott Gomez, Bobby Carpenter, Brian Rolston

Chris Chelios - Brian Leetch
Rod Langway - Gary Suter
Derian Hatcher - Phil Housley
Extras: Kevin Hatcher, Taffy Abel, Dave Langevin, Brian Rafalski

Frank Brimsek
John Vanbiesbrouck (or Tom Barrasso or Mike Richter)

When you have the likes of Zach Parise, Chris Drury, and Tony Amonte on a nation's all-time team, you know the depth of forwards is lacking.

I understand you might overlook someone while creating all those teams, but Mark Howe would have to be at least on the 2nd pairing here. I'd put him 1st pairing with Chelios. Or he could bump Chris Drury from the 3rd line...

 

[finchster]

This is a great job. There's a reason I didn't try to do Canada. So many great players, but they don't all fit together. I think I'd rather switch Messier to RW on the 4th line than use Conacher. He just seems like he'd have a better 4th line mentality.

I'm not sure about the D. You just have to have Potvin on the blueline somewhere.

There is no knock on Potvin by not putting him on my D. Potvin with Bourque could work, or Potvin with with Harvey. I rank Potvin higher than Coffey, but as I said the potential of the best defensive defenseman of all time alongside someone like Coffey is a pairing I would like to see. Also there needed to be some role players to start doing the dirty work and Seibert is a player I feel might be more suited for that role.

 

[TheDevilMadeMe]

I understand you might overlook someone while creating all those teams, but Mark Howe would have to be at least on the 2nd pairing here. I'd put him 1st pairing with Chelios. Or he could bump Chris Drury from the 3rd line...

You're right. Mark Howe needs to be on this team big time. I forgot that Gordie's kids were Americans. Move Phil Housley to the 4th line at even strength, where he can't hurt the team as much with his defensive gaffes (Buffalo apparently used him at forward at times so it isn't unheard of). He can still play on the PP with Leetch.

New team USA:

John Leclair - Mike Modano - Brett Hull
Keith Tkachuk - Pat Lafontaine - Joe Mullen
Chris Drury - Jeremy Roenick - Cecil Dillon
Phil Housley - Neil Broten - Tony Amonte

Extras = Scott Gomez, Bobby Carpenter, Brian Rolston, Zach Parise

Chris Chelios - Mark Howe
Brian Leetch - Rod Langway
Derian Hatcher - Gary Suter
Extras: Kevin Hatcher, Taffy Abel, Dave Langevin, Brian Rafalski

Frank Brimsek
John Vanbiesbrouck (or Tom Barrasso or Mike Richter)

PP1: Leclair - Modano - Hull - Leetch - Housley
PP2: Tkatchuk - Lafontaine - Mullen/Roenick - Chelios - Howe

PK1: Modano - Drury - Hatcher - Langway
PK2: Broten - Dillon - Chelios - Howe