I find it hilarious how bloggers like Eklund are trying their best to make this closer than it really is. USA #1 D? How can he even write that with a straight face?

Canada is a power house and the clear cut favourite. In fact, it's not even close.

Canada's current roster is better than the gold medal rosters of 2002, and 2010.

Canada has the CLEAR advantage in all the categories except goaltending. Even at that, they probably have the 3rd-4th best goalies in the tournament.

The knockout round is only one game, so obviously anything can happen and a goalie/the refs can steal the show. That said, anyone who picks anyone other than Canada as the gold medal favourite is either
1. a homer
2. doing it just to fabricate some competitive balance
3. doesn't know a thing about hockey.

Picking anyone other than Canada is like picking any golfer other than Tiger Woods from 2002-2006. Sure, other golfers won events, but if you were putting even money on any golfer, you would be a complete moron to take anyone other than Tiger.

For me, it's:
1. Canada
2. Sweden
3. Finns (because they have the biggest heart of any hockey nation and an amazing goalie to boot).

People think he is the voice of all Sabres fans.
- ImThatGuy

I don't want to slag Garth again but he wears his heart on his sleeve. Apparently he bleeds Buffalo blue & I appreciate that.

I'm a Bruins fan but have numerious other teams I really like as well. Almost all of them but not all. Really I'm a hocky fan that loves fantasy hockey & the NHL provides a means for me to enjoy my hobby & make a significant portion of my living but I call it the way I see it.

Garth over values Buffalo players & prospects. If I have to read another blog pumping Grigorenko, Miller or Moulson my head was going to explode so I simply stopped reading his blogs.

People think he is the voice of all Sabres fans.
- ImThatGuy

"Hockey Heaven." 'Nuff said. (relax - about the blogger, not the city)

Yeah - if you don't have Canada projected in the gold medal game, you're being a contrarian. And a pretty poopty one at that.

I completely agree with you. Canada, then Sweden are by far the best defenses in this tourney. With Canada being the clear favorite.
- Fanman

Canada will always be the favorite in Hockey. Teams will catch up and games will be more and more competitive every year, but Canada minus gold in mens hockey is always going to be a failure in most people eyes.

Yeah - if you don't have Canada projected in the gold medal game, you're being a contrarian. And a pretty poopty one at that.
- ejeezy

Fancy

Finland, USA, Canada, sweden
- the_dough_boy

Overall depth I agree but I think 1 goalie will see action for the majority fo he tournemant and statistically Price is the 2nd best goalie going to sochi.

He's 2nd, in Save %, Wins, Shutouts and 4th in Save %

I find it hilarious how bloggers like Eklund are trying their best to make this closer than it really is. USA #1 D? How can he even write that with a straight face?

Canada is a power house and the clear cut favourite. In fact, it's not even close.

Canada's current roster is better than the gold medal rosters of 2002, and 2010.

Canada has the CLEAR advantage in all the categories except goaltending. Even at that, they probably have the 3rd-4th best goalies in the tournament.

The knockout round is only one game, so obviously anything can happen and a goalie/the refs can steal the show. That said, anyone who picks anyone other than Canada as the gold medal favourite is either
1. a homer
2. doing it just to fabricate some competitive balance
3. doesn't know a thing about hockey.

Picking anyone other than Canada is like picking any golfer other than Tiger Woods from 2002-2006. Sure, other golfers won events, but if you were putting even money on any golfer, you would be a complete moron to take anyone other than Tiger.

For me, it's:
1. Canada
2. Sweden
3. Finns (because they have the biggest heart of any hockey nation and an amazing goalie to boot).
- Charliebox

I think the loss of Filppula & Koivu with what appears to be a pretty weak defesne has to be a serious concern. The Finns may have the best trio of goalies but only 1 can play at anytime. You know they will play a sound dedicated defensive system & try to shut down the high flying teams. They as well as the Czechs & Swiss due to goaltending primarily have to be wild cards that could steal a game, maybe even 2 killing the hopes of other nations.

USA has a better defensive unit than Canada (or Sweden for that matter) that's hilarious!!

I really like Norway's roster - a makeup of grinders and a few underdogs...could surprise a lot of people on the big ice

Gold: Norway
Silver: Russia
Bronze: Canada

Yeah - if you don't have Canada projected in the gold medal game, you're being a contrarian. And a pretty poopty one at that.
- ejeezy

Canada should win. Doesn't mean they will. With a single game eliminating you from gold all it takes is a hot goalie. It has happened many times.

I think the loss of Filppula & Koivu with what appears to be a pretty weak defesne has to be a serious concern. The Finns may have the best trio of goalies but only 1 can play at anytime. You know they will play a sound dedicated defensive system & try to shut down the high flying teams. They as well as the Czechs & Swiss due to goaltending primarily have to be wild cards that could steal a game, maybe even 2 killing the hopes of other nations.
- striker777

I have learned to never count out the Finns. They always seem to find a way.

I know 'heart' can't be measured.... but they constantly overachieve. Just like the Russians always underachieve.

Canada will always be the favorite in Hockey. Teams will catch up and games will be more and more competitive every year, but Canada minus gold in mens hockey is always going to be a failure in most people eyes.
- ImThatGuy

Can anyone explain to me how Sweden passed over Victor Hedman on team Sweden? 6'6" 233 lbs. 8th in scoring for Dman in the NHL having only played 51 games. That's 2 less points & 3 more goals than Subban; who's 5th, in 7 less games! 6th for goals.

I have learned to never count out the Finns. They always seem to find a way.

I know 'heart' can't be measured.... but they constantly overachieve. Just like the Russians always underachieve.
- Charliebox

Agreed.

This is a beauty:

"It is relatively clear the most talented defense is playing for America.
(although Canada is 1A in my opinion)"

Orpik
Fowler
Carlson
Shattenkirk
McDonagh
Suter
Faulk
Martin

Is better than

Weber
Doughty
Keith
Pietrangelo
Bouwmeester
Subban
Hamhuis
Vlasic

Almost as good - a team with Rask, Lehtonen, Niemi in net is #6!?
- 1979AD

this. it is relatively clear that got you've rocks in your head if you think any Olympic D-corp is better than Canada's, whom may be the sickest D-corp ever, save for the 76 Canada cup (Orr, Robinson, Savard, Lapointe, Potvin)

"team Canada is a very loyal team"

Tell that to Marty St.Louis

Can anyone explain to me how Sweden passed over Victor Hedman on team Sweden? 6'6" 233 lbs. 8th in scoring for Dman in the NHL having only played 51 games. That's 2 less points & 3 more goals than Subban; who's 5th, in 7 less games! 6th for goals.
- striker777

My only thought is they went for more experience. Baffling to me as well. Kind of like the US leaving off Bobby Ryan.

Sure. They are in a position to be picking in the top 10 right now. Even if they got a wild card they would get bounced in the first round. No way they trade a draft pick for Moulsen.
- VanHockeyGuy

Vanek? Send some cap hit the other way?

OK and Miller was named MVP of teh tournament 4 years ago. neither of those things matter.

Have you seen Quicks recent starts this year?

In his last 10 starts. he has had a Sub .900 in 5 of them. and the 6th was a .900 exactly.

And he is coming off an injury.
- ImThatGuy

This. Miller will be in the last game the U.S. plays.

Didnt Sweden GM say the only reason other teams have a chance against Canada is because this isn't a 7 game series... Lots of luck in 1 game

Canada's offence and defense is just too strong. Tavares will be dominant. Still can't figure out why the US didn't pick Okposo....Biggest omission by a long shot
- PeterMcCor

And snubbed Ryan too. Both will be missed.

People think he is the voice of all Sabres fans.
- ImThatGuy

He's not?

Can anyone explain to me how Sweden passed over Victor Hedman on team Sweden? 6'6" 233 lbs. 8th in scoring for Dman in the NHL having only played 51 games. That's 2 less points & 3 more goals than Subban; who's 5th, in 7 less games! 6th for goals.
- striker777

Makes zero sense. None at all. Hedman is a stud.

He's not?
- Cptmjl

He is if Dee is the voice of the Islanders.

My only thought is they went for more experience. Baffling to me as well. Kind of like the US leaving off Bobby Ryan.
- ImThatGuy

Hedman would have been my 4th selection for Sweden after Karlsson; essentially 1 dimensional, Kronwall & Ekman-Larsson. How Edler; train wreck defensively, Hjalmarsson, Ericsson, Oduya, & Tallinder make it ahead of him is shocking.

TB has developed Hedman perfectly. His minutes were sheltered for his 1st 2 seasons. He was forced to learn to play sound defensive hockey & his power play time & TOI minutes were worked up slowly. He still only averages a little over 22 mins a night now, #1 in TB but low by #1 Dman standards. Next season he will be playing 25 plus regularly. 308 games of NHL experience. NHL Dman reach their full development for the fast majority around 400 games. He is a stud & maybe 1 of the top 6 Dman in the NHL now.