Olympics: Team Latvia 2026

[Eye of Ra]

Balcers - Blugers - Daugavins
Dzierkals - Abols - Tralmaks
Ravinskis - Locmelis - Vilmanis
Krastenbergs - Batna - Girgensons
Egle, Indrasis

Balinskis - Mamics
Rubins - Jaks
Zile - Freibergs
Tumanovs - Komuls

Elvis
Silovs
Gudlevskis


Decent team.

I apologize to mods if there already is a thread and i apologize to @Namejs if the lineup is weird looking.

 

[Namejs]

I think Roberts Bukarts is done, Rihards Bukarts underwent a major surgery and might not play again until next season, Kenins looks questionable, Smirnovs is too small for a bottom 6 role.

The next World Champs will probably introduce a couple of new faces to the lineup. I know we're in a post-WJC high, but guys like Mateiko and Osmanis do provide a unique set of tools that would translate well to the big stage.

Mateiko has a nasty shot and probably one of the most powerful ones among all of these players, while Osmanis seems to be an elite playmaker - and that is something that would seriously improve our 2nd or 3rd line.

There's definitely a few spots up for grabs here, also for some of the NCAA guys.

And there's a decent chance Daugavins returns the next season.

 

[SoundAndFury]

The only real problem with that lineup is putting Batna - who is really all the things you want in a bottom-6 C, on the wing and Smirnovs in the middle.

 

[Namejs]

I think Roberts Bukarts is done, Rihards Bukarts underwent a major surgery and might not play again until next season, Kenins looks questionable, Smirnovs is too small for a bottom 6 role.

The next World Champs will probably introduce a couple of new faces to the lineup. I know we're in a post-WJC high, but guys like Mateiko and Osmanis do provide a unique set of tools that would translate well to the big stage.

Mateiko has a nasty shot and probably one of the most powerful ones among all of these players, while Osmanis seems to be an elite playmaker - and that is something that would seriously improve our 2nd or 3rd line.

There's definitely a few spots up for grabs here, also for some of the NCAA guys.

And there's a decent chance Daugavins returns the next season.

To build on this: Girgensons is a somewhat speedy block of wood, so he can only be useful in a shutdown role.

Krastenbergs - Girgensons - Kenins could be a 4th line if Kenins starts playing and producing in NL.

There are also guys like Ravinskis and Dukurs breaking out and if they are on a continued trajectory of growth next season, they can definitely outcompete some older guys in the bottom 6, particularly Ravinskis with his size.

I do not like Batna as a player. He is a good grinder type and he's pretty good at what he does at that role, but he plays like an undisciplined 90s style enforcer. Look at the number of penalties he has each season and each tournament. That makes him a liability, if we do the maths. So he's very much replaceable as long as there are no injuries to our other centermen.

I would much rather move Girgensons back to C.

Vilmanis, Tralmaks, Mateiko and to some extent Abols are the main goalscorer/sniper types. You need to pair them up with a playmaker.

Indrasis on the other hand is a softer dangler type and you can't ice him with 2 smaller guys. Also, props to him for being so productive in SHL, he's definitely earned back a role in the top 6.

 

[SoundAndFury]

Ravinskis with another double, 5 points in his 6 Liiga games so far. 9 shots on goal in today's game. Pretty surprising but good for him.

 

[Namejs]

Ravinskis with another double, 5 points in his 6 Liiga games so far. 9 shots on goal in today's game. Pretty surprising but good for him.

While Kenins was let go by Bern, so I guess that one's settled pretty early on.

I do remember Ravinskis as being shorter, by the way. He seems to have gained about 5 cm or 2 inches since his junior days. Happy for him and I hope many others will follow.

 

[ellja3]

What does the Latvian group look like assuming this means no Russia in Olympics?

 

[Vikz]

What does the Latvian group look like assuming this means no Russia in Olympics?

This doesn't. The Olympics decision will be up to IOC.
Latvia is also in the Olympics regardless of the russian question.

 

[ellja3]

This doesn't. The Olympics decision will be up to IOC.
Latvia is also in the Olympics regardless of the russian question.

I understand that this doesn't automatically mean no Russia in OG, but it sure seems like big step towards this. And RU/noRU affects the groups. I put this in LV thread simply because of unwillingness to create a new one; which would then get closed ''because politics'', even tho RU (non)participation affects how the groups are split, and - honestly - I am interested in just that, not any more sophisticated debate.

 

[moropanov]

This doesn't. The Olympics decision will be up to IOC.
Latvia is also in the Olympics regardless of the russian question.

Iihf decides if it lets Russia play = if not in own championships surely also not in Olympics.

 

[TomB]

Iihf decides if it lets Russia play = if not in own championships surely also not in Olympics.

Exactly. IIHF runs the qualifiers. Russia has not qualified. That should be the end of it. If not, does Belarus get a free spot, too? How do you justify that? Sure, they might have qualified through the qualification tournaments, but it was hardly a guarantee.

The Olympic hockey tournament isn't simply a case of "whoever wants to play, can". Qualification for each sport is controlled by the governing body of said sport. In the case of hockey, this is the IIHF.

I believe the IOC only controls the number of teams/competitors for each event. I suppose they could say that Russian teams are eligible for competition, but I can't imagine the governing bodies could be forced to include them.

 

[Namejs]

What does the Latvian group look like assuming this means no Russia in Olympics?

US
Germany
Latvia
Denmark

Otherwise known as the Group of Death.

 

[Lartsaman]

US
Germany
Latvia
Denmark

Otherwise known as the Group of Death.

If somehow NHL wihtdraw from participation, that group would be exactly like that, no jokes. Everything could happen.

 

[wmupreds]

Exactly. IIHF runs the qualifiers. Russia has not qualified. That should be the end of it. If not, does Belarus get a free spot, too? How do you justify that? Sure, they might have qualified through the qualification tournaments, but it was hardly a guarantee.

The Olympic hockey tournament isn't simply a case of "whoever wants to play, can". Qualification for each sport is controlled by the governing body of said sport. In the case of hockey, this is the IIHF.

I believe the IOC only controls the number of teams/competitors for each event. I suppose they could say that Russian teams are eligible for competition, but I can't imagine the governing bodies could be forced to include them.

I think how this works is that, since originally the qualifying was based off the 2023 ranking where Russia was 3rd, they would normally have automatically qualified, so IIHF decided to hold a spot for them pending the decision on their disqualification. Belarus wasn't in the top 8 so would have had to qualify (and obviously the qualifiers are over), so they're presumably SOL either way.

I'm not sure how the IIHF is gonna handle it going forward since Russia hasn't been accumulating IIHF points for a while. I guess you could make them go through the whole process of Olympic qualifying and working back up to WC elite level, but there'd be some ridiculous blowouts along the way.

 

[TomB]

I think how this works is that, since originally the qualifying was based off the 2023 ranking where Russia was 3rd, they would normally have automatically qualified, so IIHF decided to hold a spot for them pending the decision on their disqualification. Belarus wasn't in the top 8 so would have had to qualify (and obviously the qualifiers are over), so they're presumably SOL either way.

I'm not sure how the IIHF is gonna handle it going forward since Russia hasn't been accumulating IIHF points for a while. I guess you could make them go through the whole process of Olympic qualifying and working back up to WC elite level, but there'd be some ridiculous blowouts along the way.

Of course. But if the IIHF has decided that they're not being re-integrated for 2025-26, it stands to reason that they won't be in for the Olympics. The IOC won't be a part of the discussion.

The eventual re-integration into the WC is a much more interesting question. I almost wonder if we'll see a one-off year where the elite group has 18 teams. 4 relegated. Two promoted. This will have knock-on effects all the way down, though. This is maybe a discussion for a separate thread.

 

[Nikolajs Sillers]

What does the Latvian group look like assuming this means no Russia in Olympics?

Olympics.

 

[Eye of Ra]

How good are A Kudla and Bartulis nowadays? Could they make it?

 

[Namejs]

How good are A Kudla and Bartulis nowadays? Could they make it?

You mean Kulda? He was cooked already 3 years ago. If you mean Oskars Bartulis, he retired like 4-5 years ago. If you meant Martins Bartulis, he's a little young.

 

[Eye of Ra]

You mean Kulda? He was cooked already 3 years ago. If you mean Oskars Bartulis, he retired like 4-5 years ago. If you meant Martins Bartulis, he's a little young.

Yes Kulda. His numbers looked good in EBEL which is a good Leauge. He is now in Slovakia and doing pretty good there too.

 

[Namejs]

Yes Kulda. His numbers looked good in EBEL which is a good Leauge. He is now in Slovakia and doing pretty good there too.

I get what you mean regarding Kulda, but he's just not there anymore.
We don't have an overabundance of good D-men and the quality really drops off after the 6th D, but there's half a dozen of similar players who are much younger, better at moving the puck or larger physically, faster, etc.

I can imagine a scenario where several Dmen happen to get injured or whatever and someone like Kulda or Cibulskis gets an invite, but it's very unlikely. Especially because he has officially retired from the national team.

 

[kudla]

How good are A Kudla and Bartulis nowadays? Could they make it?

I am doing good, thanks.

 

[Eye of Ra]

Bumb.

Daugavins is back

Abols
Balcers
Blueger
Daugavins
Vilmanis
Locmelis
Ravinskis
Girgensons
Tralmaks
Krastenbergs
Batna
Dzierkals
Indrasis
Bukharts

Is actually an pretty good forward group.

 

[Eye of Ra]

Balcers - Blugers - Daugavins
Dzierkals - Abols - Tralmaks
Ravinskis - Locmelis - Vilmanis
Krastenbergs - Batna - Girgensons
Egle, Indrasis

Balinskis - Mamics
Rubins - Jaks
Zile - Freibergs
Tumanovs - Komuls

Elvis
Silovs
Gudlevskis


Decent team.

I apologize to mods if there already is a thread and i apologize to @Namejs if the lineup is weird looking.

Bumb. I made some changes. Team looks stronger now than when i made the thread. Maybe i should put Girgo in Dzierkals place.

 

[Namejs]

Bumb. I made some changes. Team looks stronger now than when i made the thread. Maybe i should put Girgo in Dzierkals place.

Both Dzierkals and Girgensons are useful at not letting the other team score, but they don't read the game very well, to put it mildly, and neither should be placed on the 2nd line.

Someone like Indrasis would be better fit. Or Ravinskis if Indrasis has lost a step.

Mateiko and Smits have a good chance at cracking the roster as well. Komuls was a dumpster fire at the Worlds.