Olympics: Rank the top 10 current countries at the Olympic Level.

[Eye of Ra]

If Russia played a best-on-best, I would expect Malkin and Buchnevich would be top two centers.

I don't mean to say it's worth nothing, that and Righthanded Defenseman would certainly be less than ideal from a roster construction standpoint, just that I don't think the dreaded Center "built down the middle" thing is as draconian as made to be (someone said they'd be no higher than 5... implying they could maybe be considered 6th? ), especially in a short event.

Is not Buch more of a winger?

 

[Svedu]

1. USA
2. Canada
These two are just unmatched when watching their rosters on paper.

3. Finland
4. Sweden
I'm pretty sure both nations would win in a playoff serie and in a single game against Russia. Especially Finland.
Perhaps Sweden would be considered as favorites in a series but in a single game? I would certainly pick Finland over Sweden. A compact team game with the superior center depth are decisive for me. And I'm not only stat watching, I'm looking what the centers and some finns can bring to the table. Lundell as a fourth center with his strengths? Luxury. I mean look at his +/- stats during all his years, his rising playoff production, the titles he's already won at 23. I don't know if a couple of Swedish fans underestimate this but I'm sure many Russian fans in here actually do. And it both surprises and excites me.
Barkov, Lundell, Luostarinen are a couple who would handle PK duties without any hesitation. Kucherov is of course amazing and so is Kaprizov but Laine when healthy and in PP? Rantanen? Lehkonen? I'm not that worried. The thing I like the most is they are very different. Also a thing a believe some can underestimate, the importance of balance. I'm not sure Finland will be that weak on the wings. TT, Laine, Lehkonen, Kakko, Granlund, Luostarinen, with- or without Hintz bring very interesting and different strengths to the table. And yes, I would claim that the difference between Finnish centers contra Russian are bigger than the difference amongst wingers amongst the top6 and perhaps even top9.
I mean Vasi is great, but I would be a fool if I didn't trust the Finnish goalies. Lankinen has always been clutch for Finland. Saros is the most known and accomplished in the NHL. Look at UPL's amount of SO last year in front of a lousy sabres defense. Not worried at all.

5. Czechia
6. Russia
Russia would perhaps beat Czechia in a playoff serie but in a national competition with a single elimination game? I would bet my money on the Czechs.
But those CBJ Russians have progressed pretty well making the Russian team deep at wing position.
Necas can punish anyone 5v5 with his speed. Pastrnak will punish you in the PP. Good top 6. Underrated bottom6 with role players like Ivan Ivan and Faksa. Kulich as a joker.
In the AHL they have growers like BlumelSvozil and Sapovaliv. The latter better than the numbers show.
Dostal is really good.

7. Germany.
8. Switzerland
9. Slovakia
These nations are close. Slovakia will be better in a couple of years than their current status. The Swiss are perhaps deeper than Germany but I could see Draisaitl, Stutzle and Seider being very impactful leaders for their nation. They are all elite. On a good day both Germany and the Swiss can upset Czechia and perhaps even Russia if they would underestimate their opponent. Also when watching a very underperforming Sabres Peterka seems like one of their best players in almost every game.

10. Latvia

 

[Hanji]

1. USA
2. Canada
These two are just unmatched when watching their rosters on paper.

3. Finland
4. Sweden
I'm pretty sure both nations would win in a playoff serie and in a single game against Russia. Especially Finland.
Perhaps Sweden would be considered as favorites in a series but in a single game? I would certainly pick Finland over Sweden. A compact team game with the superior center depth are decisive for me. And I'm not only stat watching, I'm looking what the centers and some finns can bring to the table. Lundell as a fourth center with his strengths? Luxury. I mean look at his +/- stats during all his years, his rising playoff production, the titles he's already won at 23. I don't know if a couple of Swedish fans underestimate this but I'm sure many Russian fans in here actually do. And it both surprises and excites me.
Barkov, Lundell, Luostarinen are a couple who would handle PK duties without any hesitation. Kucherov is of course amazing and so is Kaprizov but Laine when healthy and in PP? Rantanen? Lehkonen? I'm not that worried. The thing I like the most is they are very different. Also a thing a believe some can underestimate, the importance of balance. I'm not sure Finland will be that weak on the wings. TT, Laine, Lehkonen, Kakko, Granlund, Luostarinen, with- or without Hintz bring very interesting and different strengths to the table. And yes, I would claim that the difference between Finnish centers contra Russian are bigger than the difference amongst wingers amongst the top6 and perhaps even top9.
I mean Vasi is great, but I would be a fool if I didn't trust the Finnish goalies. Lankinen has always been clutch for Finland. Saros is the most known and accomplished in the NHL. Look at UPL's amount of SO last year in front of a lousy sabres defense. Not worried at all.

5. Czechia
6. Russia
Russia would perhaps beat Czechia in a playoff serie but in a national competition with a single elimination game? I would bet my money on the Czechs.
But those CBJ Russians have progressed pretty well making the Russian team deep at wing position.
Necas can punish anyone 5v5 with his speed. Pastrnak will punish you in the PP. Good top 6. Underrated bottom6 with role players like Ivan Ivan and Faksa. Kulich as a joker.
In the AHL they have growers like BlumelSvozil and Sapovaliv. The latter better than the numbers show.
Dostal is really good.

7. Germany.
8. Switzerland
9. Slovakia
These nations are close. Slovakia will be better in a couple of years than their current status. The Swiss are perhaps deeper than Germany but I could see Draisaitl, Stutzle and Seider being very impactful leaders for their nation. They are all elite. On a good day both Germany and the Swiss can upset Czechia and perhaps even Russia if they would underestimate their opponent. Also when watching a very underperforming Sabres Peterka seems like one of their best players in almost every game.

10. Latvia

Russia's forwards would eat the Czech defense for breakfast. As would Canada, the US, Sweden and Finland.
Until Czechia can shore up their back end, they're solidly entrenched at #6.

 

[Iceberg9]

on paper, Russia is better no doubt, but I feel like Czechia always knows how to play against them and I think it would be pretty close