What has happened to Sweden?

[Big Phil]

I remember around the early 90s when during Canada's run of 5 Gold Medals in a row the Swedes won three silvers and were frustrated constantly by Canada. But the last medal the Swedes have won was silver in '96. Since then they've done no better than 4th in the WJC. I know the Swedish program has suffered pretty badly but in all honesty the only time Sweden has won gold in the WJC is '81.

Since there has been such a plummet in talent in Sweden over the last ten years would it be safe to say that eventually the Swedes might fall out of the big 6 of Hockey and be replaced by lets say the Slovaks. Their NHL stars are all getting older and there arent any guys to replace them with.

Its hard to imagine the once highly touted Sedin twins both played three WJC for Sweden and came home with nothing. In '99 they lost a semi final game to Canada 6-1 in a gmae many had them favoured to win. In '00 on home turf they lost in the quarter finals to USA 5-1. Anybody see a turnaround for this once talented Hockey nation?

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[beerpaul*]

I remember around the early 90s when during Canada's run of 5 Gold Medals in a row the Swedes won three silvers and were frustrated constantly by Canada. But the last medal the Swedes have won was silver in '96. Since then they've done no better than 4th in the WJC. I know the Swedish program has suffered pretty badly but in all honesty the only time Sweden has won gold in the WJC is '81.

Since there has been such a plummet in talent in Sweden over the last ten years would it be safe to say that eventually the Swedes might fall out of the big 6 of Hockey and be replaced by lets say the Slovaks. Their NHL stars are all getting older and there arent any guys to replace them with.

Its hard to imagine the once highly touted Sedin twins both played three WJC for Sweden and came home with nothing. In '99 they lost a semi final game to Canada 6-1 in a gmae many had them favoured to win. In '00 on home turf they lost in the quarter finals to USA 5-1. Anybody see a turnaround for this once talented Hockey nation?

Sweden doesn't seem to play with any desperate passion anymore. Their Pros have been playing like this in big World Cup and Olympic games for the last few years. They play well, but don't play with the desperate urgency required to win a "big game". Peter Forsberg is their exception. Now their Juniors look like they are replicating their pro peers.

 

[Vikke]

I think we've had a down period for a couple of years, but the future looks brighter than ever (well, except for when Forsberg was dominating as an 18 year old).

 

[MOGiLNY]

Anders Hedberg was talking about this yesterday on TSN. He said that the Swedes are the ones who have actually invented trap hockey, and that they started using that system more and more in the junior and youth leagues around Sweden.

As a result, the young players were putting less emphasis on skill, and concentrated more on playing heavy defensive systems, which made it pretty hard to raise the new Sundins, Forsbergs, Naslunds etc..

I don't know how true this is, but I think that's what Hedberg was talking about yesterday.

 

[Predatore]

I remember around the early 90s when during Canada's run of 5 Gold Medals in a row the Swedes won three silvers and were frustrated constantly by Canada.

Sweden had some 'abnormally' strong age groups compete in the WJC during the early 90's. Teams like that very rarely come around for hockey nations of Sweden's stature.

Since there has been such a plummet in talent in Sweden over the last ten years would it be safe to say that eventually the Swedes might fall out of the big 6 of Hockey and be replaced by lets say the Slovaks.

For that to happen the Slovaks must be producing more top players than Sweden, which is not the case. Also, there is a good amount of Swedish prospects aged 20-26 with very good potential although perhaps not compared to Forsberg and Lidström. Despite this, Sweden will be able to dress a very competitive team internationally.

Their NHL stars are all getting older and there arent any guys to replace them with.

Henrik Sedin, Daniel Sedin, Henrik Zetterberg, Niklas Kronwall, Henrik Lundqvist, Alexander Steen, Nicklas Bergfors, Robert Nilsson etc. I say there is enough to choose from, not to mention all the undrafted talent there is as well.

Anybody see a turnaround for this once talented Hockey nation?

- This year's WJC-team has had a terrific tournament despite not winning a medal
- Bronze medal in the last U18 WJC
- A very, very skilled U17 national team that just won Mac's AA Miget Hockey Tournament.
- There are some exceptional talents born born 1987, 1989-1991 and the younger Swedish junior teams look good.


To sum it up. Sweden has definitely had some rough years during the last 10 years or so with some age groups with very little talent. At times we have had excellent age groups, but still not won anything.. but the main thing is that the kids continue to develop after the WJC.

In 5-10 years there might not be any superstars on the Swedish national team, but still enough talent and skill to challenge for medals in various tournaments and hopefully there will be some younger guys with Forsberg och Lidström potential.

 

[BuppY]

Anders Hedberg was talking about this yesterday on TSN. He said that the Swedes are the ones who have actually invented trap hockey, and that they started using that system more and more in the junior and youth leagues around Sweden.

As a result, the young players were putting less emphasis on skill, and concentrated more on playing heavy defensive systems, which made it pretty hard to raise the new Sundins, Forsbergs, Naslunds etc..

I don't know how true this is, but I think that's what Hedberg was talking about yesterday.

You are correct my friend. Sweden emphasised on systems more then actual skill therefore players were lacking the skill required to compete at high level and as a result Team Sweden has been struggling. They have turned the corner and started to pay attention more into skill then systems. Hopefully it helps them get back to the level they were at before.

 

[BuppY]

Sweden doesn't seem to play with any desperate passion anymore. Their Pros have been playing like this in big World Cup and Olympic games for the last few years. They play well, but don't play with the desperate urgency required to win a "big game". Peter Forsberg is their exception. Now their Juniors look like they are replicating their pro peers.

Im sorry but when it comes to Interntaional Hockey Mats Sundin and Daniel Alfredsson are the ones that show up Forsberg and Naslund are usually sleeping.

 

[An Ape called Yoko]

I can garantue that Sweden will not fall out of the top 6 among seniors ever. As long as SEL is such a good league there´s no chance that will change, among other things.

Regarding our juniors we have always sucked, although some agegroups here and there prove otherwise(players born 87 won bronze in U18 WC now recently).

Otherwise I think one shouldn´t overanalyze the results from the JWC. Sweden has good depth.. and lots of talent.. but we have a poor system for our juniors. Most often juniors sit on the bench too much their first year/years in SEL. Just when they are about to play the JWC. Thats not a good preparation.

I think we´re the country where latebloomers are most evident. Anyway, we will still produce a lot of great players to the NHL. Im certain of that. I think we will see a lot of late round picks make the NHL (Henrik Zetterberg, Kim Johnsson, Staffan Kronwall etc)

We also have some good agegroups coming, and next year we should have a bigger chance with the medals, as our players born 87 are very talanted. The 89:s however have been looking really really good... they just won Mac´s Tournament, and last year the beat Finland extremely easily as well as the chechz. Lost to Russia though, which is the only game thev´ve lost so far. They went undefeated in Mac´s Tournament btw, and Mikael Backlund (most talented player in Sweden since the Sedin twins) was the MVP of the tournament.

 

[beerpaul*]

Im sorry but when it comes to Interntaional Hockey Mats Sundin and Daniel Alfredsson are the ones that show up Forsberg and Naslund are usually sleeping.

Point taken. What I'm trying to say is that you can have all the skill in the world(and Sweden has lots) but you have to play with some blood and guts in the "big games". In Sweden's "big games" over the last few years, they have bombed badly.

 

[Rand]

Im sorry but when it comes to Interntaional Hockey Mats Sundin and Daniel Alfredsson are the ones that show up Forsberg and Naslund are usually sleeping.

Add Norstrom onto the list of players that definitely show uyp during international competiton for Sweden, Ohlund could be added to the list of those sleeping.

(I wouldn't say Forsberg has underachieved dramatically in internation competition... he's definitely not their best player by a long shot, but he's still contributed considerably even if he isn't NHL-Forsberg)

 

[SChan*]

forsberg brought us olympic gold once. that's good enough.