So who was the SECOND best team?

[Highstyx]

The FINNS were deadly. IMO easy the next best team

 

[Lomez]

So the question is who is the first loser?

Pretty much the truth. There is something pathetic about this thread. Of course, a Canadian starting it is a bit pathetic as well (yes, we know, Canada won...).

 

[Reindl87]

The team that won silver.

 

[Arne]

Fixed.

Yeah, if you still count in Slovakia. They haven't exactly shined during the last decade, except for the silver in the 2012 Championships.

 

[Tomas W]

Usually the 2nd place counts as 2nd place.

USA is 2nd on the NA continent though, so congrats to them. Way better than Mexico still.

 

[Boreal01]

Yeah, if you still count in Slovakia. They haven't exactly shined during the last decade, except for the silver in the 2012 Championships.

I personally feel that Switzerland has replaced Slovakia in the big seven, so that's why I decided to patch your post up!

 

[Filatov2Kovalev2Bonk]

I'd say America. They played Canada INSANELY close and hard, they really could have been going for gold today if not for that bounce. Then Sweden, Finland, Russia etc.

 

[Leo Getz]

I see absolutely no reason to change up the rankings Canada - Sweden - Finland - USA.

 

[fsanford]

Pretty much the truth. There is something pathetic about this thread. Of course, a Canadian starting it is a bit pathetic as well (yes, we know, Canada won...).

Its is pretty funny, so as far as losers go, I guess it goes Sweden, Finland and USA.

In any competitive team sport, finishing 2nd is not much different than finishing last, and actually finishing last might actually help your draft status (when you are talking about professional leagues).

Time does not allow for it, but unless you have a true round robin, you really cannot say who is the best. I still think Canada would win, but Rask was sick for the Sweden game, who's to say he does not shut the Swedes out. 1 and done is not an ideal way to determine who is the "best" but it is what it is.

 

[Lomez]

Usually the 2nd place counts as 2nd place.

USA is 2nd on the NA continent though, so congrats to them. Way better than Mexico still.

And congrats to Sweden for not winning the tournament! Way to go!

 

[57special]

Canada

Put in Sedin, Zetterberg, Backstrom, and Franzen and the game may have been much different.

Obvioulsy ignoring the medals, my serious opinion of who has the best team when healthy:

Sweden
Canada
USA
Finland
Russia
Czech

But does Canada get Stamkos and Tavares back in your scenario? Frankly, with the possible exception Zetterberg, I don't think those guys would've made that big a difference.

 

[Hagged]

I don't know how anyone could pick Finland and I'm a team Finland fan. Finland was basically shut down against sweden. Their D had the skating ability and size to completely make team Finland offense a non factor. Aside of that one good Vatanen outlet pass in which J. Jokinen was lucky enough to be interfered with in a manner that when the puck went by him, there was no icing call and O. Jokinen shot the puck from a weird angle to the net.

There is no question Lehtonen is a better goaltender when you are short on offense as he is one of the best offensive goaltenders in the world. He had 2 assists with a limited ice time in these Olympics after all.

Aside of Sweden, only possibility is USA, but I don't know what would make you think that USA was the better team than Sweden. Swedish defense was far more impenetrable than that of USA, even if Canada scored on it in the Final. But Canada upping their game all the way to the Final game isn't unheard of. I think Canada was by far the best team, Sweden second, Finland and USA were closer than the scoresheet would indicate but all in all I'd say Finland was the better team despite the worse individuals.

One thing I must say though, I can't understand how Orpik is higher on the Penguins depth chart than Maatta. Maatta was 4th highest scoring D right behind Weber, and a true leader on the Finnish blue line. I didn't find Orpik to be anywhere near the value of Maatta to the team USA. Yet Orpik gets the icetime over Maatta in the NHL.

 

[bullocks]

A healthy Sweden is easily the 2nd best.

 

[Phil McKraken]

Time does not allow for it, but unless you have a true round robin, you really cannot say who is the best. I still think Canada would win, but Rask was sick for the Sweden game, who's to say he does not shut the Swedes out. 1 and done is not an ideal way to determine who is the "best" but it is what it is.

What's up with this "if not for a sick Rask"-mantra that has started on here? If not for Zetterberg, H.Sedin and Franzén being out of the line-up Sweden would have left Finland in the dust, with or without Rask and the rest of the Finnish guys.

 

[MeticulouslyDishevel]

Sweden.
Finland was third.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Canada's "B squad" if we could actually send one.

 

[Samuel Culper III]

Quite obviously Sweden.

This. I thought they were a much better match for Canada. Imagine if they had Backstrom and/or Zetterberg (or even H. Sedin or Franzen)?

 

[Do Make Say Think]

The Americans

You could make a case for Finland since they were missing a lot of firepower

Sweden didn't bring a strong enough D to win

 

[Incognito]

Canada

Put in Sedin, Zetterberg, Backstrom, and Franzen and the game may have been much different.

Obvioulsy ignoring the medals, my serious opinion of who has the best team when healthy:

Sweden
Canada
USA
Finland
Russia
Czech

Injuries are no excuse. Canada was missing the third-leading NHL point scorer in John Tavares and a 60 goal-scorer in Steven Stamkos. So to fix your answer for you, Canada is first with Sweden in the second spot.

 

[fsanford]

What's up with this "if not for a sick Rask"-mantra that has started on here? If not for Zetterberg, H.Sedin and Franzén being out of the line-up Sweden would have left Finland in the dust, with or without Rask and the rest of the Finnish guys.

In a round robin tournament we could have truly proved who is best. Canada probably but at least you play everybody. Rask was a temporary set back, the other 3 were out regardless. Point being I don't think you can determine who is best in a 1 and done format.

 

[RorschachWJK]

What's up with this "if not for a sick Rask"-mantra that has started on here? If not for Zetterberg, H.Sedin and Franzén being out of the line-up Sweden would have left Finland in the dust, with or without Rask and the rest of the Finnish guys.

Leaving in the dust? Zetterberg and Sedin I give you but Franzen...not so important. Finland was already without it's 4 top centres, number one defenseman, Rinne who was our number one goalie and a couple other guys. Then we lost Rask too for the semi.

For the record, I haven't been making those claims that you speak of. You're not making things any better with comments like that, though.

 

[SirKillalot]

The ranking in the end is most likely the most correct ranking in the last 4-5 Olympics.

Would have been interesting to see all the top three teams with completely healthy rosters though.

 

[DeVoice]

pretty sure they hand out medals yah know Gold #1 SILVER #2 and so on.

 

[Easton Modano Curve]

This thread is hilarious. The standings were decided today. In fact, the teams finished as expected from the pre-tournament betting lines with Russia and Finland switching spots.

If you look at last two Olympics there are some common threads.

- Canada #1
- Finland top 3
- USA getting to medal round but has lost to Canada in 1 goal games
- Russia not getting to medal round

All of the bashing between countries is a little unwarranted IMO. I thought there was great effort from all the teams. Good effort and exciting hockey all around.

 

[jbean]

It's somewhat disrespectful to other countries.

I agree, but it's also kind of true. Canada's b team would very possibly be favourites against Sweden or America's a teams.