Olympics: Team Russia 2022

[zbornaja36]

Zaytsev is a better player then what he is showing right now.

I don't know. I feel like NHL coaches kind of ruined his game. Perhaps Toronto wasn't the best place for him to start his NHL career, as they already had multiple offensive-minded defenders. They tried to make him into a shut-down, defensive D. That was never his strength. In KHL, he was developing into a good puck mover, he was never used in a shut-down role.

Look at his career advanced stats:
35.9% career offensive zone starts
64.1% career defensive zone starts

This season it's 29.4/70.6. Woof. Might as well just put him next to the goalie.

Nikita Zaitsev Stats | Hockey-Reference.com

I only watch highlight Ottawa games and the goals against when he is on, he makes very soft, stupid plays.
I games with Russia he also was always bad for me, cant forget his again very soft reaction that lead to winning goal for Finland in 2019. I believe Russia has better options...

 

[HockeyWooot]

Is team Russia flying under the radar this tournament? Best goaltenders in the world, some of the best wingers (ie game breakers) as well.

Ovechkin
Kucherov
Svechnikov
Panarin

 

[hockey maniac]

Vasilevskiy
Shesterkin
Sorokin

Orlov Gavrikov
Sergachev Zub
Provorov Kulikov
Zaitsev

Panarin Malkin Kucherov
Ovechkin Kuznetsov A.Svechnikov
Buchnevich Barbashev Tarasenko
Kaprizov Namestnikov Nichushkin

If Kuznetsov will not be able to play or in case of injuries i have two candidates from KHL - Schipachev and Kuzmenko

PP
Orlov Panarin
Ovechkin Kuznetsov Kucherov

Sergachev Provorov
Kaprizov Malkin A.Svechnikov

SH
Orlov Gavrikov
Barbashev Nichushkin

Provorov Zub
Namestnikov Buchnevich

 

[Mathieukferland]

Is team Russia flying under the radar this tournament? Best goaltenders in the world, some of the best wingers (ie game breakers) as well.

Ovechkin
Kucherov
Svechnikov
Panarin

If I were to do a power rankings so to speak at the moment they would be second, their big players are having great years, especially if Kuznetsov is eligible

 

[MaxV]

Vasilevskiy
Shesterkin
Sorokin

Orlov Gavrikov
Sergachev Zub
Provorov Kulikov
Zaitsev

Panarin Malkin Kucherov
Ovechkin Kuznetsov A.Svechnikov
Buchnevich Barbashev Tarasenko
Kaprizov Namestnikov Nichushkin

If Kuznetsov will not be able to play or in case of injuries i have two candidates from KHL - Schipachev and Kuzmenko

PP
Orlov Panarin
Ovechkin Kuznetsov Kucherov

Sergachev Provorov
Kaprizov Malkin A.Svechnikov

SH
Orlov Gavrikov
Barbashev Nichushkin

Provorov Zub
Namestnikov Buchnevich

A team that puts NHL's 5th leading scorer on the 4th line might have some talent.

I don't want to jinx it, but let's just say there are players that are players that are playing at a pretty high level at positions which are considered weakness for this team.

 

[MaxV]

It's potentially an interesting situation:

You either make the Tarasenko-Barbashev-Buchnevich your 4th line or you place one of your other star, PPG wings on the 4th line (Ovechkin, Kucherov, Panarin, Kaprizov or Svechnikov).

Another possibility is to break up the Blues line, but I don't think that's a good idea.

 

[IceHockeyDude]

I wonder how they could get the best out of those high-end wingers. Will there be too many cooks in one kitchen? Will the support the D?

 

[ViD]

You either make the Tarasenko-Barbashev-Buchnevich your 4th line

I would do it

 

[Faltorvo]

Is team Russia flying under the radar this tournament? Best goaltenders in the world, some of the best wingers (ie game breakers) as well.

Ovechkin
Kucherov
Svechnikov
Panarin

strength up the middle and defense are not looking world class mate

 

[Faltorvo]

Vasilevskiy
Shesterkin
Sorokin

Orlov Gavrikov
Sergachev Zub
Provorov Kulikov
Zaitsev

Panarin Malkin Kucherov
Ovechkin Kuznetsov A.Svechnikov
Buchnevich Barbashev Tarasenko
Kaprizov Namestnikov Nichushkin

If Kuznetsov will not be able to play or in case of injuries i have two candidates from KHL - Schipachev and Kuzmenko

PP
Orlov Panarin
Ovechkin Kuznetsov Kucherov

Sergachev Provorov
Kaprizov Malkin A.Svechnikov

SH
Orlov Gavrikov
Barbashev Nichushkin

Provorov Zub
Namestnikov Buchnevich

Kuznetsov is banned from these Olympics

 

[westc2]

There's no need to keep barbashev, buchnevich and tarasenko together. The Blues have been mixing up lines a lot with all the injuries and covid going around, so they haven't had any "set" lines.

Kaprizov is also WAY too good to get anything below top 6 minutes. And yes, Kuznetsov is definitely banned.

 

[Bear12Good]

Vasilevskiy
Shesterkin
Bobrovsky



Ovechkin-Shipachev-Svechnikov
Panarin-Malkin-Nichushkin
Kaprizov-Namestnikov-Kucherov
Buchnevich-Barbashev-Tarasenko
Bararabanov
Kadeikin

Sergachev-Provorov
Gavrikov-Zub
Voinov-Orlov
Kulikov-Lyubushkin

 

[Bear12Good]

looks like gold contender even without Kuzya

 

[zbornaja36]

Vasilevskiy
Shesterkin
Bobrovsky



Ovechkin-Shipachev-Svechnikov
Panarin-Malkin-Nichushkin
Kaprizov-Namestnikov-Kucherov
Buchnevich-Barbashev-Tarasenko
Bararabanov
Kadeikin

Sergachev-Provorov
Gavrikov-Zub
Voinov-Orlov
Kulikov-Lyubushkin

Ovechkin-Namestnikov(Barbashev)-Svechnikov
Panarin-Malkin-Nichuskin
Kaprizov-Shipachev-Kucherov
Buchnevich-Namestnikov(Barbashev)-Tarasenko

I still hope Kuznetsov will go (instead Namestnikov). I just hope they put Ovechkin with 2 hardworking guys and give him his PP time. It will make other lines better, he is not some tic-tac-toe guy that other players are capable of.

 

[Atas2000]

There's no need to keep barbashev, buchnevich and tarasenko together. The Blues have been mixing up lines a lot with all the injuries and covid going around, so they haven't had any "set" lines.

Kaprizov is also WAY too good to get anything below top 6 minutes. And yes, Kuznetsov is definitely banned.

The real problem here is a lack of centers. Barbashev would have a chance at the 4C job if not for Kuznetsov's case of personal idiocy. Without Kuznetsov someone has to take the job of centering actual scoring wingers. Barbashev this season at least has some experience with that. That is partially where people who call for the St.Louis line are coming from.

Buchnevich as an improved defensive forward might have to take the role on the 4th line though.

 

[Atas2000]

Ovechkin-Namestnikov(Barbashev)-Svechnikov
Panarin-Malkin-Nichuskin
Kaprizov-Shipachev-Kucherov
Buchnevich-Namestnikov(Barbashev)-Tarasenko

I still hope Kuznetsov will go (instead Namestnikov). I just hope they put Ovechkin with 2 hardworking guys and give him his PP time. It will make other lines better, he is not some tic-tac-toe guy that other players are capable of.

The unconditional love for Nichushkin is amazing in this. I admit he is having a great season for his standards and he made it from my no-list to my maybe-list, but playing with Malkin is way too much.

 

[Cskavars]

The unconditional love for Nichushkin is amazing in this. I admit he is having a great season for his standards and he made it from my no-list to my maybe-list, but playing with Malkin is way too much.

I agree with this, i think Nichushkin has earned himself a spot but as a 4th line winger who plays great defensively and plays PK and can maybe create chances for himself by a hard forecheck

 

[Domme90]

Barbeshev will be in this Team.He is one of the best forecheckers and penalty killers from russia.

 

[zbornaja36]

The unconditional love for Nichushkin is amazing in this. I admit he is having a great season for his standards and he made it from my no-list to my maybe-list, but playing with Malkin is way too much.

Well believe me when i say when he came to WC (i cant remember which one, to lazy to look, but Russia had solid team) he was total negative vanilla for me. I will also admit that i dont watch him play much but all are singing his praises. And if he is as defensively sound and commited as the y talk then he is perfect for Malkin and Panarin. They are enough to create magic, he must be there to create havoc for rebounds and to cover them defensively. Malkin is getting there in age , and Panarin, although defensively solid still isnt big body.
I would love to have Gusev or Dadonov and create lines like Panarin-Schipacev-Dadonov, Gusev-Malkin-Kucherov, they would be magic in chemistry but only until games with Canada and Finland.
He can change with Svechnikov on Oveckhin line if that will work better.

 

[zbornaja36]

I agree with this, i think Nichushkin has earned himself a spot but as a 4th line winger who plays great defensively and plays PK and can maybe create chances for himself by a hard forecheck

I think lines in terms of playing time will be established with tournament and will depend very much on form of players. It is nice to see Malkin name, but he has injury problems and who knows in what form he will be. We all picture their prime when we see names, but in reality it is different song.

 

[ViD]

Potential Russian Olympic jerseys

 

[Mathieukferland]

Potential Russian Olympic jerseys

Practice jerseys or game jerseys?

 

[Canadienna]

Any chance you guys think Romanov gets an invite?

I can understand being doubtful just looking at his stats, but he's been really good for Montreal for a pretty long string of games here. Probably our best Dman over the last few weeks.

I think if he gets an invite to camp he will impress enough to earn a spot. Not sure he gets that chance though.

 

[RussiaOvi]

The unconditional love for Nichushkin is amazing in this. I admit he is having a great season for his standards and he made it from my no-list to my maybe-list, but playing with Malkin is way too much.

Do you think Grigorenko deserves a spot over Nichushkin ? He is better in PK and had pretty good performances with Russia over the past few years.

 

[Atas2000]

Do you think Grigorenko deserves a spot over Nichushkin ? He is better in PK and had pretty good performances with Russia over the past few years.

No, not at all. He is a solid KHLer, but by far no Shipachyov offensively. And as a PK and defensive forward I would take Nichushkin over him all day. As I said, I have Nichushkin as a 4th liner option by now, but he is no center. Some pretty bad center will probably make the team with our center depth, but on the wing a guy like Grigorenko has no chance.