Canada is better from top to bottom on any projected roster.
- daeth

Without a doubt.
Which also makes them the favs.

Now we'll see if they can gel quickly and get a few bounces and win that gold

I'm not sure what's controversial about that either. There's a difference between saying they have the best team in terms of talent and saying they're definitely going to win.

I'm not sure what's controversial about that either. There's a difference between saying they have the best team in terms of talent and saying they're definitely going to win.
- daeth

Apparently im a total homer for suggesting a lineup with crosby, stamkos, doughty, giroux, weber, keith, giroux, tavares, toews, perry, nash, bergeron etc etc etc etc etc etc is clearly gonna be the best on paper

It is my opinion. Pretty tough to argue on paper though..
But ill agree that it absolutely does not neccassarily translates into bringin home a medal. Just makes you the favourites.

But the point was that i reject this notion that they cant win on big ice.
They outplayed them and got stonewalled. And so did russia. ( russia didnt really outplay the czechs in the finals tho)
- hugefemale dog77

But they're not the favourites, the Russians are.

Its silly really.
As if having the best team isnt the most important factor.

I believe the russians will win because ilya nikulin is more used to playing on the big ice than duncan keith is...
- hugefemale dog77

Again you're putting words in my mouth that I did not say.

I pointed out a number of factors, including the unfamiliar larger ice surface, that will NOT be in Canada's favour this time around.

For some reason you are just focusing on this one point.

-larger ice
-international rules
-international referees
-short time to assemble a team and create chemistry
-no home ice/fans advantage

Again you're putting words in my mouth that I did not say.

I pointed out a number of factors, including the unfamiliar larger ice surface, that will NOT be in Canada's favour this time around.

For some reason you are just focusing on this one point.

-larger ice
-international rules
-international referees
-short time to assemble a team and create chemistry
-no home ice/fans advantage
- Doppleganger

Ive been focused on all 3 factors from the very start. What are u talking about?
Ive talked about big ice and home ice as well as the best roster in numerous posts.


- canadas roster will be suited for the big ice. and like everyone else's team it'll be full of vet nhl'ers that have been playing on small ice for years. how long has gonchar been in the nhl? datsyuk? etc
- same for everyone
- Same for everyone
- They didnt have home ice in 02 and still won
- the best roster is the most important factor. Which they have

Canada has won 2 of the last 4 olympic gold medals.
Of course theyre the best team goin into the tournament regardless of mitigating factors. But There's always gonna be those. It's gonna be extremely difficult to make it 3/5, but they got the best shot.

What are we even debating? This isnt debateable.


Ur clearly under the impression that the oddsmakers in Vegas are the true experts and know what they're doing. and with so much money on the line you would think they do. But i think you misunderstand how it actually works.
It needs to be noted the Odds makers aren't ONLY trying to predict a winner, theyre relying on betting trends and trying to sucker you.

Odds are made so the house doesn't lose money and so people are intrigued to place bets. Plain and simple.
Canada is always gonna be the favourites when all the best players in the world gather for a tournament.


Either way, Im pretty over the discussion.

Canada has won 2 of the last 4 olympic gold medals.
Of course theyre the best team goin into the tournament regardless of mitigating factors. But There's always gonna be those. It's gonna be extremely difficult to make it 3/5, but they got the best shot.

What are we even debating? This isnt debateable.


Ur clearly under the impression that the oddsmakers in Vegas are the true experts and know what they're doing. and with so much money on the line you would think they do. But i think you misunderstand how it actually works.
It needs to be noted the Odds makers aren't ONLY trying to predict a winner, theyre relying on betting trends and trying to sucker you.

Odds are made so the house doesn't lose money and so people are intrigued to place bets. Plain and simple.
Canada is always gonna be the favourites when all the best players in the world gather for a tournament.


Either way, Im pretty over the discussion.
- hugefemale dog77

I'm not trying to change your mind, and I am going to be cheering for Canada of course.................but I've seen so many times in the past during Olympics, World Championships, WJHC ect that with a one game elimination tournament (after the group play) Canada has not fared as well as one would think.

They've either become over confident after playing the weaker teams and some of the stronger teams hold themselves back until the elimination round and catch Canada unprepared.

It's not just the odds makers (who make their living on being right more often than not) who are ranking the Russians as the favourites.............I've yet to see any so called hockey experts who are giving Canada the nod as the favourites.

Besides, between now and then, who knows who could be injured and unable to play for which ever team, and the odds for any country could rise or fall.

But, for right now the smart money is on Russia, and if you're sure you can beat the odds-makers at their own game..............what is stopping you from putting your money where your mouth is...................as it seems to you to be a "sure thing".

I'm not trying to change your mind, and I am going to be cheering for Canada of course.................but I've seen so many times in the past during Olympics, World Championships, WJHC ect that with a one game elimination tournament (after the group play) Canada has not fared as well as one would think.

They've either become over confident after playing the weaker teams and some of the stronger teams hold themselves back until the elimination round and catch Canada unprepared.

It's not just the odds makers (who make their living on being right more often than not) who are ranking the Russians as the favourites.............I've yet to see any so called hockey experts who are giving Canada the nod as the favourites.

Besides, between now and then, who knows who could be injured and unable to play for which ever team, and the odds for any country could rise or fall.

But, for right now the smart money is on Russia, and if you're sure you can beat the odds-makers at their own game..............what is stopping you from putting your money where your mouth is...................as it seems to you to be a "sure thing".
- Doppleganger

Stop being so foolish

Stop being so foolish
- Morris

Not being foolish. He's the one being foolish and claiming that Canada is JUGGERNAUT and thereby implying that it will be a cake walk to the gold medal.

He's clearly looking at the tournament for a "Homer" fan-boy POV, and is dismissive anything that indicates that Russia is the favourite, for a variety of reasons..........with links to back up this point.


He and he alone is so sure that Canada is the favourite...................well talk is cheap, and if you have nothing to back up your POV, then perhaps he should put his $$$ where his mouth is, as it seems to him that he can make a killing going against the Las Vegas odd-makers who for some reason seem to be doing quite well at their profession, and manage to stay in business doing what they do.


Bovada names Russia favorite to win Sochi Olympic hockey gold medal

http://nhl.si.com/2013/07...lympic-hockey-gold-medal/

By Allan Muir

Maybe it’s the big ice. Or the home cooking. Or maybe Bovada recognizes just how desperately the Russians need to win this gold medal.

Whatever the reason, the Las Vegas oddsmakers have made Team Russia the favorite at the 2014 Sochi Olympics.

Here’s a look at how they see the field. I don’t think I’d put money on the Czechs ahead of Finland and the Swiss, but hey, I’m not Vegas.

Russia — 11/5
Canada — 9/4
Sweden — 4/1
USA – 6/1
Czech Republic — 17/2
Finland — 10/1
Switzerland — 20/1
Slovakia — 25/1
Norway — 200/1
Latvia — 400/1


place your bets here http://www.bovada.lv/about-bovada

Stop being so foolish
- Morris

He cant help himself.
He's obtuse by nature. Thst's the one theme ive gathered from his posts.

He wants to pigeonhole me so badly into a certain frame of thought, and repeatedly trys to make it seem so. All with the thinking that itll drive his point furthur.

It doesnt take a genius to understand the points ive made. Which are nothing of the sort hes pushing on me.

My favourite was 'homer fan boy'.
Dude's went from a reasonable point to getting destroyed over and over again and now to resorting to his last ridiculos post.

Not being foolish. He's the one being foolish and claiming that Canada is JUGGERNAUT and thereby implying that it will be a cake walk to the gold medal.

He's clearly looking at the tournament for a "Homer" fan-boy POV, and is dismissive anything that indicates that Russia is the favourite, for a variety of reasons..........with links to back up this point.


He and he alone is so sure that Canada is the favourite...................well talk is cheap, and if you have nothing to back up your POV, then perhaps he should put his $$$ where his mouth is, as it seems to him that he can make a killing going against the Las Vegas odd-makers who for some reason seem to be doing quite well at their profession, and manage to stay in business doing what they do.


Bovada names Russia favorite to win Sochi Olympic hockey gold medal

http://nhl.si.com/2013/07...lympic-hockey-gold-medal/

By Allan Muir

Maybe it’s the big ice. Or the home cooking. Or maybe Bovada recognizes just how desperately the Russians need to win this gold medal.

Whatever the reason, the Las Vegas oddsmakers have made Team Russia the favorite at the 2014 Sochi Olympics.

Here’s a look at how they see the field. I don’t think I’d put money on the Czechs ahead of Finland and the Swiss, but hey, I’m not Vegas.

Russia — 11/5
Canada — 9/4
Sweden — 4/1
USA – 6/1
Czech Republic — 17/2
Finland — 10/1
Switzerland — 20/1
Slovakia — 25/1
Norway — 200/1
Latvia — 400/1


place your bets here http://www.bovada.lv/about-bovada
- Doppleganger

looks about right

- daeth

ironically Russians seem to play harder for free than for millions of dollars

ironically Russians seem to play harder for free than for millions of dollars
- Cape Breton Bruins

Ovechkin has 54 points in 69 senior international games. Meh. His effort is consistently questionable. Malkin and company are a different story.

Ovechkin has 54 points in 69 senior international games. Meh. His effort is consistently questionable. Malkin and company are a different story.
- daeth

yeah Ovechkin isn't the best Russian player anymore. Pavel Datsyuk is the best all around by far IMO.

He cant help himself.
He's obtuse by nature. Thst's the one theme ive gathered from his posts.

He wants to pigeonhole me so badly into a certain frame of thought, and repeatedly trys to make it seem so. All with the thinking that itll drive his point furthur.

It doesnt take a genius to understand the points ive made. Which are nothing of the sort hes pushing on me.

My favourite was 'homer fan boy'.
Dudes went from a reasonable point to get destroyed over and over again to resorting his last ridiculos post.
- hugefemale dog77

Dude, you should enable your browser's spellchecker.

Dude, you should enable your browser's spellchecker.
- Doppleganger

Boy my face is red.
Well played

ironically Russians seem to play harder for free than for millions of dollars
- Cape Breton Bruins

I heard it has something to do with the Russian Mob.

I'm not trying to change your mind, and I am going to be cheering for Canada of course.................but I've seen so many times in the past during Olympics, World Championships, WJHC ect that with a one game elimination tournament (after the group play) Canada has not fared as well as one would think.

They've either become over confident after playing the weaker teams and some of the stronger teams hold themselves back until the elimination round and catch Canada unprepared.

It's not just the odds makers (who make their living on being right more often than not) who are ranking the Russians as the favourites.............I've yet to see any so called hockey experts who are giving Canada the nod as the favourites.

Besides, between now and then, who knows who could be injured and unable to play for which ever team, and the odds for any country could rise or fall.

But, for right now the smart money is on Russia, and if you're sure you can beat the odds-makers at their own game..............what is stopping you from putting your money where your mouth is...................as it seems to you to be a "sure thing".
- Doppleganger

Your argument is so flawed. U cant have it both ways.
U say the wc's dont matter cause its not the truest collection of the best players in the world, even when i mention canada has won multiple golds.
But then use it in this post as a strike against when theyve failed in that same tourney.

And its silly to even suggest the other teams 'hold themselves back' until the medal round. Canada tries harder in the early rounds?
This cant possibly be considered a sound point.

We've won 2 of the last 4 golds, and again are gonna have the best roster. U actually said homer!! The team we're about to ice has sidney fukin crosby, stamkos, girous, toews, keith, doughty, tavares, weber etc etc. claimin on then is bein a homer???

Every point you make, while valid, is just getting weaker and weaker.

Sure hope i didnt make any spelling mistakes....

Your argument is so flawed. U cant have it both ways.
U say the wc's dont matter cause its not the truest collection of the best players in the world, even when i mention canada has won multiple golds.
But then use it in this post as a strike against when theyve failed in that same tourney.

And its silly to even suggest the other teams 'hold themselves back' until the medal round. Canada tries harder in the early rounds?
This cant possibly be considered a sound point.

We've won 2 of the last 4 golds, and again are gonna have the best roster. U actually said homer!! The team we're about to ice has sidney fukin crosby, stamkos, girous, toews, keith, doughty, tavares, weber etc etc. claimin on then is bein a homer???

Every point you make, while valid, is just getting weaker and weaker.

Sure hope i didnt make any spelling mistakes....
- hugefemale dog77

If this is so, how do you explain why Canada (with or without NHLers) has NOT medalled outside of North America since 1994 in Lillehammer?

And why are the Russians the favourites?

http://www.torontosun.com...hockey-gold-at-sochi-2014

http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam.../2013/07/25/21000136.html

http://www.stratfordbeaco...hockey-gold-at-sochi-2014

http://www.sportsnet.ca/h...chi-2014-winter-olympics/

http://onlinesportsbettin...a-in-olympic-hockey-odds/

http://news.sportsinterac...-hockey-favourites-68969/

http://www.cbssports.com/...key-gold-in-2014-olympics



http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=428183

The Russian Hockey Federation announced its preliminary Olympic roster for men's hockey on Monday.

The list consists of 35 players, who will compete to represent Russia in the 2014 Olympic games in Sochi.

The Russians will be led by NHL superstars Pavel Datsyuk, Evgeni Malkin, and Alex Ovechkin, along with new KHL star Ilya Kovalchuk.

Nail Yakupov of the Edmonton Oilers was among the invitees at forward. Goalie Ilya Bryzgalov was among the notable omissions from the list.

Goalkeepers: Sergei Bobrovsky, Semyon Varlamov, Vasily Koshechkin, Evgeni Nabokov, Konstantin Barulin.

Defenders: Evgeny Biryukov, Slava Voynov, Anton Volchenkov, Sergei Gonchar, Denis Denisov, Alexei Emelin, Andrei Markov, Evgeny Medvedev, Nikita Nikitin, Ilya Nikulin, Evgeny Ryasensky, Fedor Tyutin.

Forwards: Artem Anisimov, Michael Varnakov, Pavel Datsyuk, Ilya Kovalchuk, Denis Kokarev, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Nikolai Kulemin, Evgeni Malkin, Alex Ovechkin, Alexander Perezhogin, Alexander Popov, Alexander Radulov, Alexander Semin, Vladimir Tarasenko, Alexei Tereshchenko, Viktor Tikhonov, Vadim Shipachev, Nail Yakupov.

The players will gather for a camp in Sochi on August 23 and 24, along with the Russian coaching staff will be led by Zinetula Bilyaletdinov.

If this is so, how do you explain why Canada (with or without NHLers) has NOT medalled outside of North America since 1994 in Lillehammer?

And why are the Russians the favourites?

http://www.torontosun.com...hockey-gold-at-sochi-2014

http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam.../2013/07/25/21000136.html

http://www.stratfordbeaco...hockey-gold-at-sochi-2014

http://www.sportsnet.ca/h...chi-2014-winter-olympics/

http://onlinesportsbettin...a-in-olympic-hockey-odds/

http://news.sportsinterac...-hockey-favourites-68969/

http://www.cbssports.com/...key-gold-in-2014-olympics



http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=428183

The Russian Hockey Federation announced its preliminary Olympic roster for men's hockey on Monday.

The list consists of 35 players, who will compete to represent Russia in the 2014 Olympic games in Sochi.

The Russians will be led by NHL superstars Pavel Datsyuk, Evgeni Malkin, and Alex Ovechkin, along with new KHL star Ilya Kovalchuk.

Nail Yakupov of the Edmonton Oilers was among the invitees at forward. Goalie Ilya Bryzgalov was among the notable omissions from the list.

Goalkeepers: Sergei Bobrovsky, Semyon Varlamov, Vasily Koshechkin, Evgeni Nabokov, Konstantin Barulin.

Defenders: Evgeny Biryukov, Slava Voynov, Anton Volchenkov, Sergei Gonchar, Denis Denisov, Alexei Emelin, Andrei Markov, Evgeny Medvedev, Nikita Nikitin, Ilya Nikulin, Evgeny Ryasensky, Fedor Tyutin.

Forwards: Artem Anisimov, Michael Varnakov, Pavel Datsyuk, Ilya Kovalchuk, Denis Kokarev, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Nikolai Kulemin, Evgeni Malkin, Alex Ovechkin, Alexander Perezhogin, Alexander Popov, Alexander Radulov, Alexander Semin, Vladimir Tarasenko, Alexei Tereshchenko, Viktor Tikhonov, Vadim Shipachev, Nail Yakupov.

The players will gather for a camp in Sochi on August 23 and 24, along with the Russian coaching staff will be led by Zinetula Bilyaletdinov.
- Doppleganger

you actually pointed out the obvious punctuation laziness.
just the worst.
you know you've been torn apart when you've resorted to highlighting missed apostrophes as your counterpoint


drew doughty who?? they got vadim shipachev!!!

and you just keep showing links to the oddsmakers lines. didn't I try and explain that to you already? were you not able to comprehend it?
tell me, do you have any idea how sports betting works?

your retorts have become nothing but pure entertainment for me.

Don't worry! Markov, Gonchar, and Volchenkov are still in their prime and ready to lead Russia to glory.

Don't worry! Markov, Gonchar, and Volchenkov are still in their prime and ready to lead Russia to glory.
- daeth

the more I look at it the more I think Canada will obliterate Russia but will have a tougher time with the likes of Sweden and the USA.

the more I look at it the more I think Canada will obliterate Russia but will have a tougher time with the likes of Sweden and the USA.
- Cape Breton Bruins

this 100%

Russia is the 4th best team on paper.

along with Canada, id say Sweden is also noticeably stronger.
and while the states maybe don't have quite the number of top end superstars, they do have FAR more depth and a way better defence.