Russia can win World Cup in Toronto?

[Jablkon]

So, in essence, you are saying that Russia has all the pieces in place to potentially dominate Canada and all other World competition, but the key piece missing is a Canadian coach? What would Mike Keenan or Andy Murray do to allow Russian defensemen like Medvedev to totally shut down Crosby, Seguin, Stamkos, and other high-scoring Canadian forwards?

Russia does not have all pieces for domination, but does have potential for win BOB. Problem is that I doubt somebody already start to search for that missing pieces.

First of all scan your oponnent. You face classy top players with 100% professionnal attitude. Nothing comparable to 90s Canada. Than you have Znarok and russian team who quite often struggle with work ethic or attitude. There are teams who look worse on paper and can play tight game with Canada.

Even if it is utopia, It would be definetely interesting to see what would NA coach do with russian team. I would love to see guy like Babcock there. What was written by Labata above is also very valid in russian case imo....

 

[Yakushev72]

Well, as Mr Writer suggested, Bragin seems potentially a good future bench boss for their Nats. However, I was thinking more along the lines of a fusion of Russian and NA styles, as a partial fix for what ails them. A Canuck coach might preach what ( to orthodox ears ) seems like heresy ( adding a little dump and chase for example). A Russian ex-NHLer might do so also. A guy like Bragin, good as he may be, wouldn't likely change things to the same degree.

Styles don't win hockey games, players do. The fact that Russia hasn't won a medal in the Olympics recently has no apparent connection to their style of play. The puck stays in their defensive zone far too long, which is why they end up giving up more goals. Coaching definitely helps, I'm not arguing to the contrary, but there is no evidence that there is a Gold Medal waiting for the right coach.

 

[xxxx]

But let's compare attack Russia and Sweden and USA

I made a poll, and so far 80% of voters voted for Russia

http://hfboards.mandatory.com/poll.php?do=showresults&pollid=125787

 

[Bear12Good]

I made a poll, and so far 80% of voters voted for Russia

http://hfboards.mandatory.com/poll.php?do=showresults&pollid=125787

Russia did not have enough to win that Finland or play decently against Canada shakehead

 

[Passionis]

I don't think anyone would seriously consider bragin. He failed at the adult level and returned to jrs. Everyone just kind of admitted jrs is his thing because he is a good motivator but avg at everything else.

Besides i really doubt fhr would even consider a foreign coach because of the political situation. They outright denied rumours about mike keenan. They are on the extremely patriotic marketing and philosophical line of thinking right now and bringing back best of soviet hockey. They've been very explicit about it esp. With the red machine motto now.

Also there are some decent coaches like sergei zubov, even krikunov. I do think that Znarok is known for his tough character and discipline that the team needs with this phase of subpar defending

 

[Hardyvan123]

They can win. With Forwards like Ovechkin, Malkin, Tarasenko and Panarin (to mention a few) they look very strong offensively.

I also think their goaltending could be decent with Bobrovsky and Varlamov. But their D is not that impressive and it is why I can't really consider them a real threat to Canada.

pretty much this.