Last night, before Wednesday Night Hockey, the guys at TSN took a shot at projecting the line up of a couple pre-tournament favourites in Sweden and Russia.
Here is what they had to say...
RUSSIA
Ovechkin-Fedorov-Semin
Kovalchuk-Datsyuk-Afinogenov
Zaripov-Malkin-Morozov
Kozlov-Zinoviev-Radulov
SWEDEN
Zetterberg-Backstrom-Holmstrom
Sedin-Sedin-Weinhandl
Eriksson-Forsberg-Alfredsson
Modin-Pahlsson-Hornqvist
Both line ups look damn tough.
Sweden and Russia have selected rosters that include 12 forwards and 8 defenceman. Team Canada went with 13 forwards and 7 defenceman. A team like Sweden could be in trouble if they lost a guy like Forsberg to injury with no forwards there to replace him.
What do you think?
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Hmm.. You're not doing too bad when Malkin is your third line centreman, are you?
ReplyDeleteOh well - Kanada über alles!!
Jim
I think Sweden would look better with Samuelsson with the twins, Franzen (if healthy) with Backstrom and Zetterberg while Holmstrom shifts to the 13th spot and used mainly on the powerplay.
ReplyDeleteWeinhandl was a bust in the NHL, how can he compete with NHL-dominated teams like Canada and the US?
Also, Hornqvist is good for scoring depth, but with three scoring lines already, wouldn't another defensive specialist like Axelsson or Sjostrom fit better on that 4th line?
Either way, on paper Sweden is a medal team, probably Silver or Bronze.
As for Russia, Fedorov is better off in a defensive role, Datsyuks playmaking skills would go better with Ovechkin and Semin who are both snipers. Malkin can line-up with Kovalchuk and Afinoganov, where he can be Ilya's passer, but also snipe some one-timers from Maxim.
Either way, I see way too many KHL'ers in this line-up. Despite maving the two most dyanmic snipers and two of the best centres in the world, I see Russia being highly disappointed come February. Canada, USA and Sweden will be smiling from the medal podium. Russia will probably make it to the bronze-medal game, losing to either Sweden or the US
Federov on the 1st line? I know Malkin is struggling somewhat this year but that can't make sense.
ReplyDeletechemistry einstein! semin fedorov and ovie all played together in Washington... they know each other!
ReplyDeleteRadek Bonk used to play with Marian Hossa and they had "chemistry," so let's sign Radek to play for Chicago. Sorry, but Fedorov is old, not the same player and not even in the NHL. If they want to help Canada out by giving Malkin third line minutes, hey, that's fine with me.
ReplyDelete