The Olympic Gold Medal Team

[Rabid Ranger]

Very underwhelming? Better go to dictionary.com, because that is a terrible description. If anything they >>look<< overwhelming. That is obviously not the case, but their firepower is intimidating. The US will not finish ahead of Slovakia this year. Ricky D is a below average goalie in this tournament, as is Budaj (or other Slovakian starter), but the difference is that Slovakia has a #1 d pairing that is better than the entire US d core. The forwards speak for themselves, although it's unfortunate Palffy retired from international hockey.

You're out of your mind. There is NO way Slovakia is better than the U.S. Chara's a great player, but he's just one guy. That was proven in the World Cup. Budaj is also the worst goalie in the tourney.

 

[AvsGuy]

You're out of your mind. There is NO way Slovakia is better than the U.S. Chara's a great player, but he's just one guy. That was proven in the World Cup. Budaj is also the worst goalie in the tourney.

yes, Chara is just one guy, but I would take Slovakia's forwards over the US anyday. and that's with Palffy missing.

and Budaj is no slouch.

 

[Habs Icing]

I think Canada, Czech Republic and Russia are going to medal - what order? I won't even try to guess. I think they're the three top teams - the class of the Games. I look at the players on these teams and figure the only thing separating them is desire. Who will want it more. Russia may lack a little grit but on the big ice that may mean nothing. Canada may be a little too old on defence but other than that these 3 teams have no weaknesses.

Finland and Sweden are next.

Slovakia and the USA

and Germany pulling up the rear.

 

[Lindros_for_rizzle_]

I´d rank them in two different ranking groups. Those in the first group with a chance of gold medal and those in the second group that should aim for bronze at most:

1. Canada, Russia, Czech
2. Finland, USA, Slovakia, Sweden

 

[Joe MacMillan]

I´d rank them in two different ranking groups. Those in the first group with a chance of gold medal and those in the second group that should aim for bronze at most:

1. Canada, Russia, Czech
2. Finland, USA, Slovakia, Sweden

My rankings would be the same except I'd place Sweden in the first group.

 

[Coffee and 7's*]

Canada

 

[interminded]

yes, Chara is just one guy, but I would take Slovakia's forwards over the US anyday. and that's with Palffy missing.

and Budaj is no slouch.

True !!

Peter Bondra, Pavol Demitra, Marian Gaborik, Marcel Hossa, Marian Hossa, Ladislav Nagy, Miroslav Satan, Marek Svatos.... that's All-Star material !

 

[parabola]

Id bet on Canada Czech and Sweden winning the medals.... Prob gonna be Canada Czech Sweden in that order.

 

[sonnytheman]

I think Sweden will be in the final, and I wouldn't be surprised if they win it. Obviously, a lot depends on Lundqvist, but i think he'll do better than Salo did in Salt Lake.

Look at their top 6 forwards: Forsberg, Naslund, Sundin, Alfredsson, Modin, Zetterberg. I'd honestly take that over any other team's top 6 in the tournament.

 

[AvsGuy]

I think Sweden will be in the final, and I wouldn't be surprised if they win it. Obviously, a lot depends on Lundqvist, but i think he'll do better than Salo did in Salt Lake.

Look at their top 6 forwards: Forsberg, Naslund, Sundin, Alfredsson, Modin, Zetterberg. I'd honestly take that over any other team's top 6 in the tournament.

Modin and Zetterberg aren't all that great. pretty darn good top 6 though.

but you'd take that forward set over one that includes Jarome Iginla, Todd Bertuzzi, Rick Nash, Vincent Lecavalier, Joe Thornton and Simon Gagne? I'd be hard pressed to find a better team, on paper, than Canada. we'll see how they match up on the ice, I guess.

 

[interminded]

Modin and Zetterberg aren't all that great. pretty darn good top 6 though.

but you'd take that forward set over one that includes Jarome Iginla, Todd Bertuzzi, Rick Nash, Vincent Lecavalier, Joe Thornton and Simon Gagne? I'd be hard pressed to find a better team, on paper, than Canada. we'll see how they match up on the ice, I guess.

You'r right... Zetterberg is horrible..
Dude, have you been watching hockey this season ???

 

[espo*]

Modin and Zetterberg aren't all that great. pretty darn good top 6 though.

but you'd take that forward set over one that includes Jarome Iginla, Todd Bertuzzi, Rick Nash, Vincent Lecavalier, Joe Thornton and Simon Gagne? I'd be hard pressed to find a better team, on paper, than Canada. we'll see how they match up on the ice, I guess.

Zetterberg's a good player,he's tricky.But no,i would'nt take their forwards over ours at all.I'd sure take Peter and Alfie though.

 

[PavelBure]

1.russia
2.canada
3.czech

 

[AvsGuy]

You'r right... Zetterberg is horrible..
Dude, have you been watching hockey this season ???

i didn't say he was horrible, i said he wasn't that great. I sure wouldn't take him over any of Canada's top 6 forwards.

 

[ShippinItDaily]

Sure he does. Lundqvist is a rookie playing behind a great defense and Khabibulin has been HORRIBLE this year. Of course DiPietro compares favorably to them. I'll give you Kiprusoff, but he's not what I would consider light years ahead.

That is a completely ridiculous statement.

How is your defense great when your number 1 guy is Mikeal Roszival, who wasnt wanted by the Pittsburgh Penguins who have the worst GAA in the league, iirc.

Lundquist makes that D looks great and thats the end of the story here.

 

[Slitty]

I think Sweden will be in the final, and I wouldn't be surprised if they win it. Obviously, a lot depends on Lundqvist, but i think he'll do better than Salo did in Salt Lake.

Look at their top 6 forwards: Forsberg, Naslund, Sundin, Alfredsson, Modin, Zetterberg. I'd honestly take that over any other team's top 6 in the tournament.

Points:
Alfredson 50
Foresberg 50
Naslund 40
Zetterberg 35
Modin 25
Sundin 19
Total: 229


Points:
Kovalchuk 46
Datsyuk 42
Ovechkin 39
Frolov 36
Yashin 33
Kozlov 32
Total: 228

Thats the NHL Top 6.... Malkin would have more points than Ovechkin!!!

 

[Coffee and 7's*]

Points:
Alfredson 50
Foresberg 50
Naslund 40
Zetterberg 35
Modin 25
Sundin 19
Total: 229


Points:
Kovalchuk 46
Datsyuk 42
Ovechkin 39
Frolov 36
Yashin 33
Kozlov 32
Total: 228

Thats the NHL Top 6.... Malkin would have more points than Ovechkin!!!

What is your point? The Russians have less points than the Swedes...

 

[CSKA]

What is your point? The Russians have less points than the Swedes...

I think Ovechkins 39 to Naslunds 40 says it all ! Its your last chance to win the olympics guys

 

[Habs Icing]

Points:
Alfredson 50
Foresberg 50
Naslund 40
Zetterberg 35
Modin 25
Sundin 19
Total: 229


Points:
Kovalchuk 46
Datsyuk 42
Ovechkin 39
Frolov 36
Yashin 33
Kozlov 32
Total: 228

Thats the NHL Top 6.... Malkin would have more points than Ovechkin!!!

Well for starters, you can't just look at the total points. That gives you one perspective.

For instance Canada's total 6

Heatly 49
Thornton 49
Gagne 41
Richards 40
Sakic 37
Lecavalier 35

Total 251

However the brain trust didn't pick these players
Staal 49
Spezza 47
McCabe 47
Marleau 40
Shanahan 38
Tanguay 38

Total 259

Lest we forget Crosby 37

This tells me team Canada management was looking at other things besides points. So when you look at the top six, you can't judge them by how many points they've got.

 

[RandV]

Points:
Alfredson 50
Foresberg 50
Naslund 40
Zetterberg 35
Modin 25
Sundin 19
Total: 229


Points:
Kovalchuk 46
Datsyuk 42
Ovechkin 39
Frolov 36
Yashin 33
Kozlov 32
Total: 228

Thats the NHL Top 6.... Malkin would have more points than Ovechkin!!!

Come on, Sundin and Modin? Should be the Sedins in there! Sedin+Sedin = 60 points, compared to 44 from Sundin and Modin. Though seriously to be fair Sundin's been injured half the season. Don't underestimate Sweden's third line though, the Sedins have finally developed into solid players this year. Just too bad they're not bringing Holmstrom.

 

[Skroob*]

Czech Republic vs. Sweden for the Gold!!!

 

[Rob]

I feel so unoriginal. This seems to be the general consensus of the board. Especially with regards to the gold medal game.

Gold- Canada
Silver- Czech Republic
Bronze- Russia
4th- Finland
5th- Sweden
6th- USA
7th- Slovakia
8th- Germany

 

[reaper]

Finland before Sweden must be a joke unless your basing it on Swedens earlier olympic tournaments. Sweden is way better than Finland on paper and basically the second best behind Canada. I'm not saying will get a medal but i think on paper the gold is between Canada and Sweden. I think four teams will battle for the medals, Canada, Sweden, Russia and the chechs.

 

[Lindros_for_rizzle_]

Finland before Sweden must be a joke unless your basing it on Swedens earlier olympic tournaments. Sweden is way better than Finland on paper and basically the second best behind Canada. I'm not saying will get a medal but i think on paper the gold is between Canada and Sweden. I think four teams will battle for the medals, Canada, Sweden, Russia and the chechs.

Or maybe it´s you who should take your biased glasses off. Finlands roster is overall on par with Sweden plus that Finland is more solid as a team. Swedens defensive line-up is a joke. And calling Swedens roster basically second is also a joke. At most they are one notch below Russia and Czech on paper, but on the ice all these teams mentioned Finland, Czech and Russia are way better than Sweden. Maybe you should keep your mouth shut unless Selanne, Belarus or Czech republic will teach you otherwise again, because it seems you didn´t get enough from the last lessons they gave you in '98, '02 and '04.

 

[Joe MacMillan]

Or maybe it´s you who should take your biased glasses off. Finlands roster is overall on par with Sweden plus that Finland is more solid as a team. Swedens defensive line-up is a joke. And calling Swedens roster basically second is also a joke. At most they are one notch below Russia and Czech on paper, but on the ice all these teams mentioned Finland, Czech and Russia are way better than Sweden. Maybe you should keep your mouth shut unless Selanne, Belarus or Czech republic will teach you otherwise again, because it seems you didn´t get enough from the last lessons they gave you in '98, '02 and '04.

One word: Lundqvist.

Edit: I mean they didn't have a very good goalie in '98, '02 and '04. Well, Salo was pretty good in Nagano, but so was Selänne.