The Soviet teams in the 1978-79 season & 1981-82 season were the best IMO.
1979 WHC (group game vs. Czechoslovakia):
Forwards (RW-C-LW):
Mikhailov-Petrov-Kharlamov
Balderis-Zhluktov-Kapustin
Makarov-V. Golikov-A. Golikov
Skvortsov-Lebedev-Yakushev
Defense:
Tsygankov-Lutshenko
Vasiliev-Babinov
Bilyaletdinov-Pervukhin
Goalie:
Tretyak
1982 WHC (group game vs. Czechoslovakia)
Forwards (RW-C-LW):
Makarov-Larionov-Krutov
Shalimov-Shepelev-Kapustin
Tyumenev-V. Golikov-Kozevnikov
Drotsdetsky-Zhluktov-Khomutov
Defense:
Kasatonov-Fetisov
V. Vasiliev-Babinov
Bilyaletdinov-Pervukhin
Goalie:
Tretyak
I don't know which one was better, but both teams were very strong on paper & on the ice.
It's been debated before, but I still stand by my opinion of the 1978 team being better. Take out Skvortsov, Yakushev, and Babinov from '79 and add in Maltsev and Fetisov and you have the 1978 WHC team.
Imo,
Fetisov + Maltsev > Babinov + Skvortsov + Yakushev
Just can't get over the fact that they lost 3-8 to Czechoslovakia in the 1977-78 season (and on their home-ice, no less = in the 1977 Izvestia tournament). Or that they won the 1978 world championship only by goal differential. Yes, they played in Prague vs. strong Czechoslovakian team, and they were plagued by injuries... but a year later, the 1979 team simply crushed the opposition.
IMO the 1979 team gave better performances.
The team that lost 8-3 in '77 Izvestia didn't have Fetisov, Bilyaletdinov, Zhluktov, and the Golikovs...
Why would you leave out the 1980-1981 team which won the World Championships and the Canada Cup?The Soviet teams in the 1978-79 season & 1981-82 season were the best IMO.
He did not leave the Canada Cup one out...Why would you leave out the 1980-1981 team which won the World Championships and the Canada Cup?
He did not leave the Canada Cup one out...
only Kapustin was absent..Despite the result, the 1980 team has to be considered, at least on paper.
That roster was STACKED.
Don Cherry, is that you?1981 USSR at the Canada Cup remains the only Soviet team to ever win a best vs best tournament in the history of that nation. Thus with regards to actually winning, its 1981.
Apart from that.. the Soviets were nothing more than a mirage, smoke a mirrors, a team that had the luxury of beating up on the amateurs of the world for a half century only to assume their true place at #2 when Canada's best would take the ice.
Of course nothing to take away from Soviet hockey, very talented just incorrectly misrepresented for something they were not.
They were stacked, no doubt about it.Despite the result, the 1980 team has to be considered, at least on paper.
That roster was STACKED.
Was Kapustin injured?
1981 USSR at the Canada Cup remains the only Soviet team to ever win a best vs best tournament in the history of that nation. Thus with regards to actually winning, its 1981.
Apart from that.. the Soviets were nothing more than a mirage, smoke a mirrors, a team that had the luxury of beating up on the amateurs of the world for a half century only to assume their true place at #2 when Canada's best would take the ice.
Of course nothing to take away from Soviet hockey, very talented just incorrectly misrepresented for something they were not.
And why wasn't Challenge Cup a best-vs-best tournament?
Because Canada lost.And why wasn't Challenge Cup a best-vs-best tournament?