Olympics: Team Russia 2022

[ORRFForever]

I see it something like this... chance of Gold
Canada 25 %
Russia 18.75%
Finland 18.75%
US 18.75%
Sweden 18.75%

Russia is offset a little by probably no Panarin and Kuzy. Still, they have a lot of gamebreakers skating around.

If I was going to put a percentage on it (for betting purposes), I'd say...

Canada 45%
US 25%
Russia 15%
Finland 10%
Sweden 5%

But, then again, I predicted a U.S. Russia final so what do I know.

 

[ORRFForever]

I see it something like this... chance of Gold
Canada 25 %
Russia 18.75%
Finland 18.75%
US 18.75%
Sweden 18.75%

Russia is offset a little by probably no Panarin and Kuzy. Still, they have a lot of gamebreakers skating around.

That's the problem with a one and done tournament. If it was a best of 7, I don't see Canada losing.

 

[Czechboy]

That's the problem with a one and done tournament. If it was a best of 7, I don't ever see Canada losing.

I agree that's beat everyone in a best of 7 but I do think 4-3 would be a pretty common outcome with the other big 4.

 

[Czechboy]

That's the problem with a one and done tournament. If it was a best of 7, I don't ever see Canada losing.

Having said that... I would not want to play Canada in a best of 7. Freakin nightmare

 

[Atas2000]

That's the problem with a one and done tournament. If it was a best of 7, I don't ever see Canada losing.

Best of 7 is though where a guy like Vasilevskiy could steal the show all by himself. We've seen amazing goaltending stunning and deflating the most prolific offences in the past.

 

[Johnny Tomala]

I see it something like this... chance of Gold
Canada 25 %
Russia 18.75%
Finland 18.75%
US 18.75%
Sweden 18.75%

Russia is offset a little by probably no Panarin and Kuzy. Still, they have a lot of gamebreakers skating around.

Panarin will play at Olympics.

 

[Yakushev72]

Just the law of averages. We have to lose eventually. Plus, all the pieces were there in 1998 and those <bleeping> Czechs ruined everything.

But, I agree, it's a pretty darn good team.

My worries with other teams are :

Russia : Goaltending and winning one for the Gipper.

U.S. : Solid team - if Eichel is out, or not 100%, that makes a huge difference.

Fins : Always tough. They are due to take the final step.

Sweden : Never easy.

But, yeah, on paper, Canada looks terrific.

When you talk about "winning one for the Gipper," where did you come up with the idea that Ovechkin and Malkin are so loved by their fellow Russian NHL stars that they are willing to die in battle to win an Olympic Gold Medal for their bookcases? I have never heard of such an urgent undercurrent engulfing Russia to do whatever it takes to get "Ovi" and "Geno" the Gold. Like Mexicans and Guatemalans, these are all guys who go to foreign countries (the US and Canada) to earn tons of money. Whether they win a Gold Medal or finish 7th in the Olympics has nothing to do with how much money they earn in the NHL. There isn't a whole culture built around hockey heroes, as there is in Canada. They have agreed to play for the national team when called upon, but history shows that they have never shown a tendency to recklessly risk injury to go all out for Gold, especially when facing some of the more physical teams who push them away from the dangerous scoring spots. I have to admit that I have never detected any obvious emotional nationalism reflected in their Olympic play since 1992.

I think it is hard to generate much interest and suspense in the notion that it is possible that Canada could lose only because of "the law of averages," but that by itself is a sad commentary on the mythical concept of "international competition." The fact is that international hockey competition, when the NHL is involved, simply doesn't exist. There was only one era in hockey history when there was international parity, and that was roughly from 1968 to 1988 when Soviet hockey was in full force. Soviet and Canadian teams were dead even. Even the tournaments that Canada won, such as the bogus Canada Cup, were won in the last few seconds. When Soviet hockey died out, at the end of the '80's, Canada was left without any form of competition whatsoever. Maybe with the exception of Finland, a tiny country of 6 million people, I see signs of waning interest in hockey in Europe. The main impetus for NHL competition in the Olympics has come from Canadian fans (who relish the national orgies of self-glorification that ensue winning the Gold) and NHL players who are looking forward to a mid-season three-week beach vacation in the Caribbean.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Gusev will be on the team, he's been always one of the best on Team Russia. Something like

Gusev - Shipachev - Kucherov
Panarin - Malkin - Kaprizov
Ovechkin - Kuznetsov (yeah, I hope they will be able to shorten his suspension) - Tarasenko/Svechnikov
Mikheyev - Barbashev - Nichushkin (checking, PK line)
Svechnikov/Tarasenko

Provorov - Zaitsev
Sergachev - Zub
Gavrikov - Orlov
Romanov

Vasilevsky, Shesterkin, Sorokin

Missing Buchnevich. He’s better than half of those forwards.

 

[ORRFForever]

When you talk about "winning one for the Gipper," where did you come up with the idea that Ovechkin and Malkin are so loved by their fellow Russian NHL stars that they are willing to die in battle to win an Olympic Gold Medal for their bookcases? I have never heard of such an urgent undercurrent engulfing Russia to do whatever it takes to get "Ovi" and "Geno" the Gold. Like Mexicans and Guatemalans, these are all guys who go to foreign countries (the US and Canada) to earn tons of money. Whether they win a Gold Medal or finish 7th in the Olympics has nothing to do with how much money they earn in the NHL. There isn't a whole culture built around hockey heroes, as there is in Canada. They have agreed to play for the national team when called upon, but history shows that they have never shown a tendency to recklessly risk injury to go all out for Gold, especially when facing some of the more physical teams who push them away from the dangerous scoring spots. I have to admit that I have never detected any obvious emotional nationalism reflected in their Olympic play since 1992.

I think it is hard to generate much interest and suspense in the notion that it is possible that Canada could lose only because of "the law of averages," but that by itself is a sad commentary on the mythical concept of "international competition." The fact is that international hockey competition, when the NHL is involved, simply doesn't exist. There was only one era in hockey history when there was international parity, and that was roughly from 1968 to 1988 when Soviet hockey was in full force. Soviet and Canadian teams were dead even. Even the tournaments that Canada won, such as the bogus Canada Cup, were won in the last few seconds. When Soviet hockey died out, at the end of the '80's, Canada was left without any form of competition whatsoever. Maybe with the exception of Finland, a tiny country of 6 million people, I see signs of waning interest in hockey in Europe. The main impetus for NHL competition in the Olympics has come from Canadian fans (who relish the national orgies of self-glorification that ensue winning the Gold) and NHL players who are looking forward to a mid-season three-week beach vacation in the Caribbean.

You're right. I'm assuming a comradery that may not exist.

I like to think it would happen for Sid is he'd never won before.

 

[Yakushev72]

You're right. I'm assuming a comradery that may not exist.

I like to think it would happen for Sid is he'd never won before.

Do you mean Sid Crosby? Didn't he win Gold in 2010 and 2014?

 

[majormajor]

I think it is hard to generate much interest and suspense in the notion that it is possible that Canada could lose only because of "the law of averages," but that by itself is a sad commentary on the mythical concept of "international competition." The fact is that international hockey competition, when the NHL is involved, simply doesn't exist. There was only one era in hockey history when there was international parity, and that was roughly from 1968 to 1988 when Soviet hockey was in full force. Soviet and Canadian teams were dead even. Even the tournaments that Canada won, such as the bogus Canada Cup, were won in the last few seconds. When Soviet hockey died out, at the end of the '80's, Canada was left without any form of competition whatsoever. Maybe with the exception of Finland, a tiny country of 6 million people, I see signs of waning interest in hockey in Europe. The main impetus for NHL competition in the Olympics has come from Canadian fans (who relish the national orgies of self-glorification that ensue winning the Gold) and NHL players who are looking forward to a mid-season three-week beach vacation in the Caribbean.

I don't buy it. Hockey is full of upsets and fans love rooting for underdogs. International tournaments are enormously popular. Yes, it is not as big as football but we're still talking about millions of viewers in Europe. There is a ton of interest in Finland and I think there would be a ton of interest in Russia if their team could pull their heads out of their butts and win the thing. American hockey fans are very excited to see Team USA which has a big shot of winning the whole thing - they have better D & G than Canada.

 

[ORRFForever]

Do you mean Sid Crosby? Didn't he win Gold in 2010 and 2014?

I meant, assuming Sid had never won, I could see Canada 2022 rallying around that goal. I assumed the same for OV and Gino.

 

[Yakushev72]

I don't buy it. Hockey is full of upsets and fans love rooting for underdogs. International tournaments are enormously popular. Yes, it is not as big as football but we're still talking about millions of viewers in Europe. There is a ton of interest in Finland and I think there would be a ton of interest in Russia if their team could pull their heads out of their butts and win the thing. American hockey fans are very excited to see Team USA which has a big shot of winning the whole thing - they have better D & G than Canada.

The only "underdog" that surfaced in the Olympics during the NHL era was the USA in the Gold Medal game in 2010, where they overcame a severe talent imbalance to cause Canada to get their heart rate up a bit, but in 3 of the 5 NHL Olympics, Canada has gone by unchallenged and hardly breaking a sweat! This year appears to be even easier for Canada. There is no European team that appears to even stand a chance, although Vasilevsky and a few goal scorers could put Russia in the "beware of the underdog" category! The absence of suspense and intrigue will make the 2022 hockey tournament a severe dud!

 

[Rabid Ranger]

The only "underdog" that surfaced in the Olympics during the NHL era was the USA in the Gold Medal game in 2010, where they overcame a severe talent imbalance to cause Canada to get their heart rate up a bit, but in 3 of the 5 NHL Olympics, Canada has gone by unchallenged and hardly breaking a sweat! This year appears to be even easier for Canada. There is no European team that appears to even stand a chance, although Vasilevsky and a few goal scorers could put Russia in the "beware of the underdog" category! The absence of suspense and intrigue will make the 2022 hockey tournament a severe dud!

While the U.S. was not as good on paper as Canada in 2010 they went toe to toe with Canada throughout the tournament. There wasn't much difference between the two. Canada was dominant defensively in 2014 no doubt about it. Didn't allow much from the competition. I think this go around they are going to have considerably more competition as they won't be nearly as good defensively. Offense looks great of course but I seriously doubt they are going to be able to run it up on the top teams. We'll see. By the way-give Russia more credit. I think they will have an outstanding team and will be a contender.

 

[ValeriKamensky]

If in 2010 and 2014 quarterfinal lose was considereded a failure, now this result can be described as an objective. Absoulutely worst center depth of top-6 National Teams, defensive depth probably better then Czechs (but just probably lol), and absoulutely worse than others top-5. You can`t win only with wings and Vasilevsky

 

[TheGoldenJet]

Ovechkin and Malkin have never been effective in previous Olympics, so why would they dominate now in the waning years of their career?

I take issue with this quote. I was there in person for the 2010 games, and Malkin was certainly dominant from an individual standpoint. I believe he also put up a 1.50 PPG on the scoresheet. There’s a reason that guy made the all-time IIHF Russian team. In 2014, Malkin was paired with Ovechkin (no chemistry) and a 34 year old KHLer named Popov, which is why he didn’t get much done, as the coach refused to break up the Radulov/Kovy line despite continued bad performance by the team in general and the Malkin/Ovie line in particular. Hopefully for Russia, their coach this year is smarter than the last guy.

 

[Minty Cowboy]

Agree on all of it. FTR.. Czechs had the best goalie and forward in the world at that time! Based on the hardware being handed out anyways. That's where it gets crazy... get a nation that fights like hell and scores on a counter chance and you can lose. Latvia almost did it to Canada with Elvis at a best on best. Swiss have done it a few times now as well.

Definitely agree on why the other 4 could win. I'd add that this is the first time the Finn's can get their new high octance generation altogether... they could be dynamite!

Russia and the goalies is pretty terrifying. Very easy to picture Vas standing on his head and any number of their game breakers scoring a goal or 2.

US, on paper, is damn even at every position. Their D might even be better... in either case, damn close and Makar might explode by Xmas.

Swedes are just awesome in every spot.. from goalie out. Plus they create D as good as US and Canada. Classic Brian Burke team.. built from the net out.

This better happen!

He's Canadian

 

[majormajor]

The only "underdog" that surfaced in the Olympics during the NHL era was the USA in the Gold Medal game in 2010, where they overcame a severe talent imbalance to cause Canada to get their heart rate up a bit, but in 3 of the 5 NHL Olympics, Canada has gone by unchallenged and hardly breaking a sweat! This year appears to be even easier for Canada. There is no European team that appears to even stand a chance, although Vasilevsky and a few goal scorers could put Russia in the "beware of the underdog" category! The absence of suspense and intrigue will make the 2022 hockey tournament a severe dud!

I think you're just greatly overstating the odds of Canada winning everything. There is no smooth sailing in single game elimination tournaments. The Americans, Swedes, and Russians all have a good chance of winning.

 

[Czechboy]

He's Canadian

I know... I was saying he might explode by Xmas and give Canada an Edge as I feel they are very close on D with the US. If he keeps improving, he might be the best D in the league by Xmas.

 

[Czechboy]

I think you're just greatly overstating the odds of Canada winning everything. There is no smooth sailing in single game elimination tournaments. The Americans, Swedes, and Russians all have a good chance of winning.

and the Finns!

 

[majormajor]

and the Finns!

They have a decent shot, for sure.

 

[Minty Cowboy]

I know... I was saying he might explode by Xmas and give Canada an Edge as I feel they are very close on D with the US. If he keeps improving, he might be the best D in the league by Xmas.

My apologies, just the way you had your points separated made it look like you thought he was American!

 

[Czechboy]

My apologies, just the way you had your points separated made it look like you thought he was American!

I totally get it. If I could make him change nationalities.. I'd make him Czech! We could use him.lol

 

[Zine]

If in 2010 and 2014 quarterfinal lose was considereded a failure, now this result can be described as an objective. Absoulutely worst center depth of top-6 National Teams, defensive depth probably better then Czechs (but just probably lol), and absoulutely worse than others top-5. You can`t win only with wings and Vasilevsky

The defensive depth is better than Finland's. Beyond Heiskanen, the top 4 is significantly better.

Heiskanen
Lindell
Ristolainen
Lehtonen
Hakanpaa
Jokiharju
Maatta
Valimaki
Nutivaara

vs

Provorov
Sergachyov
Orlov
Gavrikov
Zub
Zaitsev
Zadorov
Voynov
Romanov

 

[MNRube]

I see it something like this... chance of Gold
Canada 25 %
Russia 18.75%
Finland 18.75%
US 18.75%
Sweden 18.75%

Russia is offset a little by probably no Panarin and Kuzy. Still, they have a lot of gamebreakers skating around.

I'd say there is greater than 50% chance the Gold Medal is won by a North American country.