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ChiefWiggum

ChiefWiggum

Registered User
Dec 17, 2016
1,197
198
Newfoundland
Based on current rosters (best on best), place each nation into a tier.

So the first tier would be the elite teams that have a chance to win the Olympics or World Cup year in and year out.

Next would be the teams that may contend and it would not be a surprise if they go far in a tournament.

The third are the dark horse teams that never win but are still somewhat competitive.

The fourth are the best teams that may possibly be relegated and are never a real threat.

The fifth consists of the bottom feeders year in and year out

ONLY USE TEAMS IN THIS YEAR'S IIHF CHAMPIONSHIP

My list:
Tier 1
1.Canada
2. USA
3. Sweden
4. Russia

Tier 2
5. Finland
6. Czech Republic

Tier 3
7. Slovakia
8. Switzerland
9. France

Tier 4
10. Germany
11. Denmark
12. Norway
13. Latvia

Tier 5
14. Belarus
15. Slovenia
16. Italy

NOTE:
* France for me has bolted up into tier 3. They have some legitimate players now, play hard against the big teams and have lately proven themselves to have upset abilities
*Slovakia is no longer a tier 2 team.
*Is Russia still a tier one team? This selection may be based on the fumes of their greatness past.
Click to read more...
 
Seems about right for the most part, except Denmark has 9 NHL players while France has 3. They also have more players in the KHL, SHL and Swiss NLA. Switch them.
 
MrJonas said:
Seems about right for the most part, except Denmark has 9 NHL players while France has 3. They also have more players in the KHL, SHL and Swiss NLA. Switch them.
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Denmark choked in two consecutive Olympic qualifications and while impressive in their recent strides have never gone out of the QFs at the Worlds. France has had similar levels of accomplishment and it's hard to say both are clearly a tier above Germany, Norway or Latvia. Slovakia has taken big steps back as of late though. Denmark has very impressive NHLers, and the 9th most out of any country (and arguably stronger top end than even Slovakia

I think Tier 1 is the likes of CAN-USA-SWE-RUS - perennial gold contenders

Tier 2 with CZE-FIN-SUI-SVK - perennial QF spots expected, potential annual medalists. one could argue for either or both of SUI/SVK to drop out of this tier - but it's not a surprise if any of these teams go far in a tournament. Switzerland and Slovakia won silvers in the past five years

Tier 3 is FRA-GER-DNK-NOR-LAT - almost no shot at medaling, can keep games somewhat competitive with top nations, occasional QF spot

Tier 4 is BLR-SLV-ITA - perennial elevator relegation candidates, highly unlikely QF position, no shot at medaling
 
Last edited:
Finland which beat Russia in some recent major events (2014 Olympics, 2016 IIHF WC) only in Tier 2? My humble opinion:

Tier 1
1. Canada

Tier 2
2. Sweden
3. USA
4. Russia
5. Finland

Tier 3
6. Czech Republic

Tier 4
7. Slovakia
8. Switzerland

Tier 5
9. Germany
10. Norway
11. Denmark
12. France
13. Latvia
14. Belarus

Tier 6
15. Slovenia
16. Italy
 
Slovakia is definitely in Top 10, Top 8 even (full strength), but I don't think either us or Switzerland (or Germany and Denmark) can claim the same power level as Czech Rep. or Finland.

Mistakes were (and still are) made and we've lost a generation. And now need a while to heal, while hoping we don't miss another train and let too many countries ahead of us.
 
garbageteam said:
Denmark choked in two consecutive Olympic qualifications and while impressive in their recent strides have never gone out of the QFs at the Worlds. France has had similar levels of accomplishment and it's hard to say both are clearly a tier above Germany, Norway or Latvia. Slovakia has taken big steps back as of late though. Denmark has very impressive NHLers, and the 9th most out of any country (and arguably stronger top end than even Slovakia

I think Tier 1 is the likes of CAN-USA-SWE-RUS - perennial gold contenders

Tier 2 with CZE-FIN-SUI-SVK - perennial QF spots expected, potential annual medalists. one could argue for either or both of SUI/SVK to drop out of this tier - but it's not a surprise if any of these teams go far in a tournament. Switzerland and Slovakia won silvers in the past five years

Tier 3 is FRA-GER-DNK-NOR-LAT - almost no shot at medaling, can keep games somewhat competitive with top nations, occasional QF spot

Tier 4 is BLR-SLV-ITA - perennial elevator relegation candidates, highly unlikely QF position, no shot at medaling
Click to expand...

Wow, Slovakia and Switzerland are "potential annual medalists" and in the same tier as the Czech Republic and Finland?
 
Urbanskog said:
Wow, Slovakia and Switzerland are "potential annual medalists" and in the same tier as the Czech Republic and Finland?
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I think what he meant is potential for a medal in a given tournament. Which, while not that very likely, it is possible. And please, a little humble pie Finnish dude: you just got absolutely spanked 5-1 by France, it's not like Finland is Canada or something.
 
BruinLVGA said:
I think what he meant is potential for a medal in a given tournament. Which, while not that very likely, it is possible. And please, a little humble pie Finnish dude: you just got absolutely spanked 5-1 by France, it's not like Finland is Canada or something.
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I don't think that one weak year negates everything that Finland has showcased in recent years. I'd rank Finland fourth, after the US and before Russia.
 
Urbanskog said:
I don't think that one weak year negates everything that Finland has showcased in recent years. I'd rank Finland fourth, after the US and before Russia.
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Sure. Same applies for Switzerland and Slovakia, seeing that they both won medals in very recent times. So, winning another medal would be possible for them.
 
You guys seem to have France way too high and Belarus way too low. Seems like you're ignoring historical play vs. this current WC.

Tier 1
1. Canada
2. Sweden
3. USA

Tier 2
4. Finland/Russia
6. Czech Republic

Tier 3
7. Slovakia
8. Switzerland

Tier 4
9. Germany
10. Latvia
11. Belarus
12. Denmark

Tier 5
10. Norway
12. France

Tier 6
15. Slovenia
16. Italy
 
djpatm said:
You guys seem to have France way too high and Belarus way too low. Seems like you're ignoring historical play vs. this current WC.

Tier 1
1. Canada
2. Sweden
3. USA

Tier 2
4. Finland/Russia
6. Czech Republic

Tier 3
7. Slovakia
8. Switzerland

Tier 4
9. Germany
10. Latvia
11. Belarus
12. Denmark

Tier 5
10. Norway
12. France

Tier 6
15. Slovenia
16. Italy
Click to expand...

Yes! I think this appraisal is better ;).
 
BruinLVGA said:
Sure. Same applies for Switzerland and Slovakia, seeing that they both won medals in very recent times. So, winning another medal would be possible for them.
Click to expand...

Switzerland has won just one medal after 1951 and I'd say that Slovakia's medal window has effectively closed.
 
penepi said:
Finland which beat Russia in some recent major events (2014 Olympics, 2016 IIHF WC) only in Tier 2? My humble opinion:

Tier 1
1. Canada

Tier 2
2. Sweden
3. USA
4. Russia
5. Finland

Tier 3
6. Czech Republic

Tier 4
7. Slovakia
8. Switzerland

Tier 5
9. Germany
10. Norway
11. Denmark
12. France
13. Latvia
14. Belarus

Tier 6
15. Slovenia
16. Italy
Click to expand...

:laugh:

Sorry but USA is firmly in #2 and climbing.
 
BruinLVGA said:
I think what he meant is potential for a medal in a given tournament. Which, while not that very likely, it is possible. And please, a little humble pie Finnish dude: you just got absolutely spanked 5-1 by France, it's not like Finland is Canada or something.
Click to expand...

France has some unexpectedly occurs. They beat Russia 2013 and Canada 2014 and now at home Finland ;).
 
penepi said:
USA/Sweden
IIHF 2013: #3/1
Olympics 2014: #4/2
IIHF 2014: #6/3
IIHF 2015: #3/5
IIHF 2016: #4/6
World Cup 2016: #7/3

Not really, not really.
Click to expand...

The best US team I've ever seen in my life apart from Canada Cup 1996, was the olympic team in 2010, which should have won like Finland in 2006 Torino, but bleeeeeeeeeew it.


I agree with this assessment.

Tier 1
1. Canada

Tier 2
2. Sweden
3. USA
4. Russia
5. Finland

Tier 3
6. Czech Republic

Tier 4
7. Slovakia
8. Switzerland

Tier 5
9. Germany
10. Norway
11. Denmark
12. France
13. Latvia
14. Belarus

Tier 6
15. Slovenia
16. Italy
 
Tier 1
1.Canada

Tier 2
2.USA
3.Sweden
4.Russia/Finland

Tier 3
6. Czech Republic

Tier 4
7. Switzerland
8. Slovakia

Tier 5
9. Germany
10.Denmark
11.Latvia
12.Belarus
13.Norway

Tier 6
14. France
15. Slovenia
16. Italy
 
Urbanskog said:
Switzerland has won just one medal after 1951 and I'd say that Slovakia's medal window has effectively closed.
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Yeah, that medal was a silver in 2013, going 9-1. That is the same generation that is currently playing. If they done it before, they can do it again. And with more and more Swiss players in the NHL and with quality young prospects like Hischier coming onto the scene, they can only get better.
 
BruinLVGA said:
Yeah, that medal was a silver in 2013, going 9-1. That is the same generation that is currently playing. If they done it before, they can do it again. And with more and more Swiss players in the NHL and with quality young prospects like Hischier coming onto the scene, they can only get better.
Click to expand...

Not saying that they couldn't medal again but saying that they are on par with Finland is dishonest.
 
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