I know, I was just mentioning it as an aside. When fully healthy, Sweden's either 2 or 3 after Canada, maybe the USA. Sweden is a bit top-heavy on offense, but they have an exceptional defense and Lundqvist. The USA doesn't have any of the star power or Canada, Sweden, or Russia, but is much more like a team with the way it's constructed as opposed to an All Star gathering.
- jmatchett383

Actually Kessel, Kane, Suter, Parise and our whole goalie corp is a pretty decent star group

I know, I was just mentioning it as an aside. When fully healthy, Sweden's either 2 or 3 after Canada, maybe the USA. Sweden is a bit top-heavy on offense, but they have an exceptional defense and Lundqvist. The USA doesn't have any of the star power or Canada, Sweden, or Russia, but is much more like a team with the way it's constructed as opposed to an All Star gathering.
- jmatchett383

That's why I like the USA. They have a lot of two way talent. They've had that in the past but now they have legitimate scorers. I think they have 5 of the top 10 goal scorers in the NHL

that's incorrect. sweden's population is around 9 million +.
- hammarby31

Huh.. you're right. I wonder what else that Norwegian girl told me that isn't true.

Actually Kessel, Kane, Suter, Parise and our whole goalie corp is a pretty decent star group
- JAKEw1234

They're definitely stars, but not on the level of Canada, Sweden, or Russia. Canada and Russia, especially, seem to just want to load up with the best offensive players they can and pray the goaltending holds up. Sweden has a pretty decent lineup, and is sort of a cross-breed. The US has a lot more lunchpail kind of guys who seem to fit a need best as opposed to being all the same sort of player (see: Flyers defense).

Huh.. you're right. I wonder what else that Norwegian girl told me that isn't true.
- Flyersgod

Are you sure she wasn't a troll in disguise?

That's why I like the USA. They have a lot of two way talent. They've had that in the past but now they have legitimate scorers. I think they have 5 of the top 10 goal scorers in the NHL
- PhillySportsGuy

Right now the USA has 3 of the top 10.
Canada has 5 (We all know why Kunitz is there, though. Pacioretty the American is right behind him)
Sweden has 1.
Russia has 1.

They're definitely stars, but not on the level of Canada, Sweden, or Russia. Canada and Russia, especially, seem to just want to load up with the best offensive players they can and pray the goaltending holds up. Sweden has a pretty decent lineup, and is sort of a cross-breed. The US has a lot more lunchpail kind of guys who seem to fit a need best as opposed to being all the same sort of player (see: Flyers defense).
- jmatchett383

This is true. Sweden is just an awesome team, though. Shutouts seem effortless for them.

Huh.. you're right. I wonder what else that Norwegian girl told me that isn't true.
- Flyersgod

I'd get tested if I were you

Right now the USA has 3 of the top 10.
Canada has 5 (We all know why Kunitz is there, though. Pacioretty the American is right behind him)
Sweden has 1.
Russia has 1.
- JAKEw1234

Ok so 4 in the top 11

Ok so 4 in the top 11
- PhillySportsGuy

Yups so as far as goal scorers go right now only Canada should have us beat.

Yups so as far as goal scorers go right now only Canada should have us beat.
- JAKEw1234

The game against Russia is going to be awesome

The game against Russia is going to be awesome
- PhillySportsGuy

I expect Suter to see A LOT of Malkin/OV/Kovalchuk.

But man, if Datsyuk goes down, they better hope that line is good for 3-4 goals a game.

[url] http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/13/photo-south-storm_n_4784280.html

Zombieland in the south

I expect Suter to see A LOT of Malkin/OV/Kovalchuk.

But man, if Datsyuk goes down, they better hope that line is good for 3-4 goals a game.
- jmatchett383

Lots of good back checkers on that line

How would you rank the current Olympic hockey teams in terms of world rank?

1. Canada
2. Sweden
3. USA
4. Russia
5. Finland
6. Czech Republic
7. Switzerland
8. Slovakia
- PhillySportsGuy

Here's the 2013 IIHF Men's World Ranking:

1 Sweden 3105
2 Finland 3065
3 Russia 3040
4 Czech Republic 2975
5 Canada 2940
6 United States 2895
7 Switzerland 2845
8 Slovakia 2840
9 Norway 2685
10 Germany 2650


Rankings are based on performance in last 4 IIHF World Championships and last Olympics.

I expect Suter to see A LOT of Malkin/OV/Kovalchuk.

But man, if Datsyuk goes down, they better hope that line is good for 3-4 goals a game.
- jmatchett383

I heard Bylsma saying in an interview yesterday that they have to worry about more guys than those 3 big scorers. I actually didn't like that approach to the game at all. Russia's weakness is their depth. If we focus a lot on shutting down their top line and putting a lot of pressure on their so-so defense, we have a really good chance.

Here's the 2013 IIHF Men's World Ranking:

1 Sweden 3105
2 Finland 3065
3 Russia 3040
4 Czech Republic 2975
5 Canada 2940
6 United States 2895
7 Switzerland 2845
8 Slovakia 2840
9 Norway 2685
10 Germany 2650


Rankings are based on performance in last 4 IIHF World Championships and last Olympics.
- Tomahawk

Considering the number of nhl players missing those games it's not really accurate. I was. More looking for personal opinion

[url] http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/13/photo-south-storm_n_4784280.html

Zombieland in the south
- PhillySportsGuy

Wow they have no idea how to handle snow and ice

I heard Bylsma saying in an interview yesterday that they have to worry about more guys than those 3 big scorers. I actually didn't like that approach to the game at all. Russia's weakness is their depth. If we focus a lot on shutting down their top line and putting a lot of pressure on their so-so defense, we have a really good chance.
- JAKEw1234

Make them play defense. The Russians want to score quickly and look pretty doing it. If the US can play a methodical game and frustrate the Russians, they will win. The longer Russia goes without leading, the more pressure they will feel

Considering the number of nhl players missing those games it's not really accurate. I was. More looking for personal opinion
- PhillySportsGuy

1.USA
2.USA
3.USA
4.USA
5.Sweden

Wow they have no idea how to handle snow and ice
- JAKEw1234

It's more about a lack of equipment to clear the roads. The south has very few ploughs and salt trucks

It's more about a lack of equipment to clear the roads. The south has very few ploughs and salt trucks
- PhillySportsGuy

I'm still confused as to the fire int he background. But I want to go party down there with those guys. I see a massive fight resulting some mass snow graves erupting.

Considering the number of nhl players missing those games it's not really accurate. I was. More looking for personal opinion
- PhillySportsGuy

If you're talking about chances to win this Olympics, I'd say that they'd roughly follow the world rankings, except Russia gets a boost for being at home, and Canada and USA get a bit of a boost from having more stars.

NHL participation affects all the teams, though, so I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss the rankings as having no bearing. If anything, it shows how big of an advantage hosting teams and the big-ice are to the EU countries... Sweden/Finland hosted two of the past 4 WC's, and all 4 were held in EU countries. The lone anomaly was Vancouver 2010 on small ice... US/Canada owned that one.

So if I were a betting man, I might say:

1. Sweden
2. Russia
3. Canada
4. Finland
5. USA
6. Czech Rep.
7. Switzerland
8. Slovakia

I'd get tested if I were you
- PhillySportsGuy