There was an undeniable difference in the type of hockey game that was played when we were on the big ice versus the NHL-sized rinks, so I don’t think it’s unreasonable for a country to select their Olympic roster with this in mind. Plenty of people are okay with the concept of “take the best NHL all-star team you can” – they wouldn’t be terrible, but I think you can do better.


read entire article @ http://blogs.thescore.com...and-nhl-sized-ice-sheets/

3. The big ice factor cannot be underestimated, and the Americans will have to find a way to adapt quickly to a game that can often be played at a much different pace than NHL games. To try and dictate the tone and pace of games in the tournament, the Americans will need to capitalize on a strong collection of smart, nimble puck-moving defensemen. This blue-line unit will look dramatically different than the one in Vancouver, which had a more blue-collar identity. Young players like Kevin Shattenkirk of St. Louis, Keith Yandle, who is an underappreciated talent in Phoenix, Martin, Jack Johnson of Columbus and Ryan Suter, who should have won the Norris Trophy last season, have the potential to stretch opposing defenses and spring a fast, talented group of forwards.


read entire article @ http://espn.go.com/nhl/st...s-win-gold-sochi-olympics
- Doppleganger

Yeah, We've won on that ice.

3. The big ice factor cannot be underestimated, and the Americans will have to find a way to adapt quickly to a game that can often be played at a much different pace than NHL games. To try and dictate the tone and pace of games in the tournament, the Americans will need to capitalize on a strong collection of smart, nimble puck-moving defensemen. This blue-line unit will look dramatically different than the one in Vancouver, which had a more blue-collar identity. Young players like Kevin Shattenkirk of St. Louis, Keith Yandle, who is an underappreciated talent in Phoenix, Martin, Jack Johnson of Columbus and Ryan Suter, who should have won the Norris Trophy last season, have the potential to stretch opposing defenses and spring a fast, talented group of forwards.


read entire article @ http://espn.go.com/nhl/st...s-win-gold-sochi-olympics
- Doppleganger

Simple question for you Dopplegagner.

Are you of the opinion that there is no combination of players Team Canada could choose that would have them win Gold at Sochi because of the larger ice surface? Yes or No?

Simple question for you Dopplegagner.

Are you of the opinion that there is no combination of players Team Canada could choose that would have them win Gold at Sochi because of the larger ice surface? Yes or No?
- rathagor

There are no guarantees, but yes they could win, but they're not the favourites to win.

The team is meeting in Montreal to depart to the Olympics, they board a plane for a 12 hour flight to Moscow, then after a brief lay over, fly on to Sochi which is another 2 1/2 hours. Then transfer to their lodgings and in less than 48 hours they play their first game, without enough time to adjust their body clocks to the new time zone, or have any meaningful practise time on the larger ice surface and will be using their first few games to develop chemistry to the different game that the large ice surface demands.

Look, I would rather the NHL stay out of the Olympics as I don't another screwed up NHL season with the chance of players being injured that ruins the chances for the team I cheer for, to have a good playoff run.



A good portion of the Russian team will have had two weeks to prep for the Olympics and will be in better shape of the "get go".

There are no guarantees, but yes they could win, but they're not the favourites to win.

The team is meeting in Montreal to depart to the Olympics, they board a plane for a 12 hour flight to Moscow, then after a brief lay over, fly on to Sochi which is another 2 1/2 hours. Then transfer to their lodgings and in less than 48 hours they play their first game, without enough time to adjust their body clocks to the new time zone, or have any meaningful practise time on the larger ice surface and will be using their first few games to develop chemistry to the different game that the large ice surface demands.

Look, I would rather the NHL stay out of the Olympics as I don't another screwed up NHL season with the chance of players being injured that ruins the chances for the team I cheer for, to have a good playoff run.



A good portion of the Russian team will have had two weeks to prep for the Olympics and will be in better shape of the "get go".
- Doppleganger

A few bottom 6'ers...... maybe. and a bottom pairing guy. Maybe two.....
If you actually think those guys with the xtra time are gonna be the differencd makers, all i can do is shake my head.

The russians who play here also have to fly 12 hours.
The other teams, almost all way majority nhl'ers also only have a little practice time.

Whos gonna have the most talented roster? Canada.

Every point u make has no validity, cause its the same for everyone. And if it isnt, its bottom pair and filler players.
Anyone who thinks zinoviev is gonna outplay eric staal cause hes had abit more preparation time is either joking, or on drugs. one's a superstar in the best league in the world by a country mile, the other...isnt

Dude, your shtick is so played out.

A few bottom 6'ers...... maybe. and a bottom pairing guy. Maybe two.....
If you actually think those guys with the xtra time are gonna be the differencd makers, all i can do is shake my head.

The russians who play here also have to fly 12 hours.
The other teams, almost all way majority nhl'ers also only have a little practice time.

Whos gonna have the most talented roster? Canada.

Every point u make has no validity, cause its the same for everyone. And if it isnt, its bottom pair and filler players.
Anyone who thinks zinoviev is gonna outplay eric staal cause hes had abit more preparation time is either joking, or on drugs. one's a superstar in the best league in the world by a country mile, the other...isnt

Dude, your shtick is so played out.
- hugefemale dog77

It's not going to be the same for everyone, and you're foolish to think so.

But, Hey you have your opinion, and I have mine. The Bolded players below, will be playing in the KHL this coming season (did not check out goaltenders) and it looks like half of the skaters on this pre-Olympic camp roster are from the NHL, and the other half from the NHL.

There is going to be fair amount of players from the KHL on their team, giving them an advantage over the North American teams. You can debate how much of an advantage it is or is not all you want. But there is going to be ZERO Canadians with this advantage.

If you think there is little or no difference between the game played on NHL sized ice, and the Olympic sized ice, then you're proving your ignorance on the matter. I lived and played hockey in Europe for seven years, and know there is a difference.



Russian pre-Olympic camp roster
Goalies

Sergei Bobrovsky
Semyon Varlamov
Evgeni Nabokov
Konstantin Barulin
Vasily Koshechkin

Defencemen

Sergei Gonchar
Andrei Markov
Anton Volchenkov
Nikita Nikitin
Fedor Tyutin
Evgeny Biryukov
Vyacheslav Voinov
Denis Denisov
Alexei Emelin
Evgeny Medvedev
Ilya Nikulin
Eugene Ryasensky

Forwards

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


The Finnish team will also have a heavy KHL contingent to it, as there are more Finns playing in the KHL than the NHL.



Here is Finland's Olympic camp roster:

Goaltenders: Tuukka Rask, Pekka Rinne, Antti Niemi, Niklas Backstrom, Kari Lehtonen, Karri Ramo, Petri Vehanen, Antti Raanta
Defensemen: Sami Salo, Kimmo Timonen, Toni Lydman, Joni Pitkanen, Juuso Hietanen, Topi Jaakola, Joonas Jarvinen, Lasse Kukkonen, Teemu Laakso, Sami Lepisto, Jere Karalahti, Janne Niskala, Sami Vatanen, Ossi Vaananen, Tuukka Mantyla, Petteri Nummelin
Forwards: Mikko Koivu, Saku Koivu, Olli Jokinen, Teemu Selanne, Ville Leino, Valtteri Filppula, Aleksander Barkov, Sean Bergenheim, Niklas Hagman, Teemu Hartikainen, Juha-Pekka Hytonen, Mikael Granlund, Jarkko Immonen, Jesse Joensuu, Leo Komarov, Petri Kontiola, Lauri Korpikoski, Jarno Koskiranta, Jori Lehtera, Antti Miettinen, Janne Pesonen, Antti Pihlstrom, Jarkko Ruutu, Tuomo Ruutu, Sakari Salminen, Veli-Matti Savinainen, Juhamatti Aaltonen, Niko Kapanen, Jussi Jokinen, Lennart Petrell




You have to ask yourself why would the coaching staff NOT take advantage of the two week (prior to the Olympics) training camp to develop chemistry and set plays to catch the North American teams of guard, who will be thrown together the day before the games start.

It's not going to be the same for everyone, and you're foolish to think so.

But, Hey you have your opinion, and I have mine. The Bolded players below, will be playing in the KHL this coming season (did not check out goaltenders) and it looks like half of the skaters on this pre-Olympic camp roster are from the NHL, and the other half from the NHL.

There is going to be fair amount of players from the KHL on their team, giving them an advantage over the North American teams. You can debate how much of an advantage it is or is not all you want. But there is going to be ZERO Canadians with this advantage.

If you think there is little or no difference between the game played on NHL sized ice, and the Olympic sized ice, then you're proving your ignorance on the matter. I lived and played hockey in Europe for seven years, and know there is a difference.



Russian pre-Olympic camp roster
Goalies

Sergei Bobrovsky
Semyon Varlamov
Evgeni Nabokov
Konstantin Barulin
Vasily Koshechkin

Defencemen

Sergei Gonchar
Andrei Markov
Anton Volchenkov
Nikita Nikitin
Fedor Tyutin
Evgeny Biryukov
Vyacheslav Voinov
Denis Denisov
Alexei Emelin
Evgeny Medvedev
Ilya Nikulin
Eugene Ryasensky

Forwards

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


The Finnish team will also have a heavy KHL contingent to it, as there are more Finns playing in the KHL than the NHL.



Here is Finland's Olympic camp roster:

Goaltenders: Tuukka Rask, Pekka Rinne, Antti Niemi, Niklas Backstrom, Kari Lehtonen, Karri Ramo, Petri Vehanen, Antti Raanta
Defensemen: Sami Salo, Kimmo Timonen, Toni Lydman, Joni Pitkanen, Juuso Hietanen, Topi Jaakola, Joonas Jarvinen, Lasse Kukkonen, Teemu Laakso, Sami Lepisto, Jere Karalahti, Janne Niskala, Sami Vatanen, Ossi Vaananen, Tuukka Mantyla, Petteri Nummelin
Forwards: Mikko Koivu, Saku Koivu, Olli Jokinen, Teemu Selanne, Ville Leino, Valtteri Filppula, Aleksander Barkov, Sean Bergenheim, Niklas Hagman, Teemu Hartikainen, Juha-Pekka Hytonen, Mikael Granlund, Jarkko Immonen, Jesse Joensuu, Leo Komarov, Petri Kontiola, Lauri Korpikoski, Jarno Koskiranta, Jori Lehtera, Antti Miettinen, Janne Pesonen, Antti Pihlstrom, Jarkko Ruutu, Tuomo Ruutu, Sakari Salminen, Veli-Matti Savinainen, Juhamatti Aaltonen, Niko Kapanen, Jussi Jokinen, Lennart Petrell




You have to ask yourself why would the coaching staff NOT take advantage of the two week (prior to the Olympics) training camp to develop chemistry and set plays to catch the North American teams of guard, who will be thrown together the day before the games start.
- Doppleganger

holy fuk.
having worse players is NOT an advantage.


I laid out the finnish team for you.

its almost ALL nhl'ers. but you keep coming back to the well....

his contention is that the teams with the most players OUTSIDE the NHL in secondary leagues with inferior players have the biggest advantage...
it's not. it's the opposite. it's a DISADVANTAGE.

they roll out sergei slepyshev, we roll out Patrice effin Bergeron.

It's not going to be the same for everyone, and you're foolish to think so.

But, Hey you have your opinion, and I have mine. The Bolded players below, will be playing in the KHL this coming season (did not check out goaltenders) and it looks like half of the skaters on this pre-Olympic camp roster are from the NHL, and the other half from the NHL.

There is going to be fair amount of players from the KHL on their team, giving them an advantage over the North American teams. You can debate how much of an advantage it is or is not all you want. But there is going to be ZERO Canadians with this advantage.

If you think there is little or no difference between the game played on NHL sized ice, and the Olympic sized ice, then you're proving your ignorance on the matter. I lived and played hockey in Europe for seven years, and know there is a difference.



Russian pre-Olympic camp roster
Goalies

Sergei Bobrovsky
Semyon Varlamov
Evgeni Nabokov
Konstantin Barulin
Vasily Koshechkin

Defencemen

Sergei Gonchar
Andrei Markov
Anton Volchenkov
Nikita Nikitin
Fedor Tyutin
Evgeny Biryukov
Vyacheslav Voinov
Denis Denisov
Alexei Emelin
Evgeny Medvedev
Ilya Nikulin
Eugene Ryasensky

Forwards

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


The Finnish team will also have a heavy KHL contingent to it, as there are more Finns playing in the KHL than the NHL.



Here is Finland's Olympic camp roster:

Goaltenders: Tuukka Rask, Pekka Rinne, Antti Niemi, Niklas Backstrom, Kari Lehtonen, Karri Ramo, Petri Vehanen, Antti Raanta
Defensemen: Sami Salo, Kimmo Timonen, Toni Lydman, Joni Pitkanen, Juuso Hietanen, Topi Jaakola, Joonas Jarvinen, Lasse Kukkonen, Teemu Laakso, Sami Lepisto, Jere Karalahti, Janne Niskala, Sami Vatanen, Ossi Vaananen, Tuukka Mantyla, Petteri Nummelin
Forwards: Mikko Koivu, Saku Koivu, Olli Jokinen, Teemu Selanne, Ville Leino, Valtteri Filppula, Aleksander Barkov, Sean Bergenheim, Niklas Hagman, Teemu Hartikainen, Juha-Pekka Hytonen, Mikael Granlund, Jarkko Immonen, Jesse Joensuu, Leo Komarov, Petri Kontiola, Lauri Korpikoski, Jarno Koskiranta, Jori Lehtera, Antti Miettinen, Janne Pesonen, Antti Pihlstrom, Jarkko Ruutu, Tuomo Ruutu, Sakari Salminen, Veli-Matti Savinainen, Juhamatti Aaltonen, Niko Kapanen, Jussi Jokinen, Lennart Petrell




You have to ask yourself why would the coaching staff NOT take advantage of the two week (prior to the Olympics) training camp to develop chemistry and set plays to catch the North American teams of guard, who will be thrown together the day before the games start.
- Doppleganger

Maybe the dumbest thing posted ever.

There may or may not be an advantage, but the Canadians don't have that advantage. Logic exploded on this one.

Not to mention that weaker players from weaker league isn't an advantage. FYI canada has in the past had players that were playing on international ice and it lead to little to no advantage.

As has been proven before (Salt lake was international ice) the ice isnt the issue. Your continued insistence on that just shows your ignorance.

Maybe the dumbest thing posted ever.

There may or may not be an advantage, but the Canadians don't have that advantage. Logic exploded on this one.

Not to mention that weaker players from weaker league isn't an advantage. FYI canada has in the past had players that were playing on international ice and it lead to little to no advantage.

As has been proven before (Salt lake was international ice) the ice isnt the issue. Your continued insistence on that just shows your ignorance.
- burn

this

I wish I could find the link, but I read an article not too long ago showing the ice surface statistics by country in the recent past. Canada has almost been as successful at every level on both surfaces. Not to mention the part that really stuck with me was russias large amount of success on the SMALL surface.

it's really all arbitrary aside from a few factors. but having inferior players is NEVER an advantage. regardless of preparation time.
but just for argument sake; maybe with good coaching, a good system etc you can kinda keep those lesser players on a similar footing to their superstar counterparts from the nhl. at least briefly anyway.

holy fuk.
having worse players is NOT an advantage.


I laid out the finnish team for you.

its almost ALL nhl'ers. but you keep coming back to the well....
- hugefemale dog77

You're assuming who the coaching staff will select for the Finnish team. You have no idea the mindset they have. You also assume that the best Finnish players are all in the NHL, ergo they'll all be on the Olympic team............... again that's a mistake.

It is a clear advantage for them to have a pool of players, playing in the KHL, on the big ice, having two weeks off (for a training camp) prior to the Olympics, not having to travel umpteen time-zones two days prior to the start of the Olympics.

Same thing for the Russians. Why do you think the Russians are shutting down the KHL two week before the Olympics, if they were NOT going to select players from the teams in the KHL?

If the NHL shutdown two weeks before the Olympics. and Canada shipped all their players to Sochi and had those two weeks to adjust to the time zone change, practise together and develop PP and PK systems.................would you think they would be better prepared for the start of the Olympics than the current plan?

You're assuming who the coaching staff will select for the Finnish team. You have no idea the mindset they have. You also assume that the best Finnish players are all in the NHL, ergo they'll all be on the Olympic team............... again that's a mistake.

It is a clear advantage for them to have a pool of players, playing in the KHL, on the big ice, having two weeks off (for a training camp) prior to the Olympics, not having to travel umpteen time-zones two days prior to the start of the Olympics.

Same thing for the Russians. Why do you think the Russians are shutting down the KHL two week before the Olympics, if they were NOT going to select players from the teams in the KHL?

If the NHL shutdown two weeks before the Olympics. and Canada shipped all their players to Sochi and had those two weeks to adjust to the time zone change, practise together and develop PP and PK systems.................would you think they would be better prepared for the start of the Olympics than the current plan?
- Doppleganger

No it's not. Salt lake?? Russia didn't reap an advantage there. Canada didn't get hurt by it. The ice is a fallacy.

Canada has in the past sent players playing on international ice, and it didn't translate. You have no clue.

K

It's just the same nonsense over and over.

The big ice!!....disproven

Lesser players in a lesser league!!......It seems you're the only one who doesnt see the advantage of having the best players and deepest roster. Im just gonna give up banging my head against a brick wall i guess.

2 weeks of prep time!!! Every single team will be majority nhl'ers. Especially the go to difference makers. The point is moot when it's the same for everyone.

Home ice!! Yes

Now you're attempting to say the nhl isnt filled with far and away the best players in relation to those lesser leagues.
Do a little research on some of those finns. Theyre not in europe by choice. They couldnt make the nhl. (Vaananen, kharalati, lepisto, nummelin, kapanen, kukkonen etc etc all cut or released from their nhl squads.
And those are dudes who just got invited to camp, most of them have no real shot to displace their superior nhl counterparts
That said, the point is also relatively moot when anyone with a clue knows team finland will have a vast majority of nhl'ers. Maybe as much as 22/25 players.

1/5 aint bad i guess.....



I dont even take you seriously anymore. Your really just starting to come off as a troll now.

Over it

K

It's just the same nonsense over and over.

The big ice!!....disproven

Lesser players in a lesser league!!......It seems you're the only one who doesnt see the advantage of having the best players and deepest roster. Im just gonna give up banging my head against a brick wall i guess.

2 weeks of prep time!!! Every single team will be majority nhl'ers. Especially the go to difference makers. The point is moot when it's the same for everyone.

Home ice!! Yes






Now you're attempting to say the nhl isnt filled with far and away the best players in relation to those lesser leagues.
Do a little research on some of those finns. Theyre not in europe by choice. They couldnt make the nhl. And those are dudes who just got invited to camp, most of them have no real shot to displace their superior nhl counterparts. (Vaananen, kharalati, lepisto, kukkonen,etc etc
That said, the point is also relatively moot when anyone with a clue knows team finland will have a vast majority of nhl'ers. Maybe as much as 22/25 players.

1/5 aint bad i guess.....



I dont even take you seriously anymore. Its all just a big joke.

Over it
- hugefemale dog77

You you serious???

Do you honestly believe that ALL the Players in the KHL for either the Finns or the Russians are there because the could not make the NHL??



You're just making a fool of yourself now aren't you?

There are good number of Russians and Finns that could easily play in the NHL, but choose to play in the KHL for a number of reasons.

Do I have to list a few players (Ilya Kovalchuk) to show how far off base you are?

You you serious???

Do you honestly believe that ALL the Players in the KHL for either the Finns or the Russians are there because the could not make the NHL??



You're just making a fool of yourself now aren't you?

There are good number of Russians and Finns that could easily play in the NHL, but choose to play in the KHL for a number of reasons.

Do I have to list a few players (Ilya Kovalchuk) to show how far off base you are?
- Doppleganger

Yes. Other than Kovi who was in the NHL and left the others couldn't. Several of those guys came over failed and left.

You're making yourself look stupid.

Canada should wise up and get down with the doppleganger brain trust.

Select some canadians who got cut over here and were forced to play in the khl and europe.
More preparation time!!!!

Forget couture and/or eric staal!
Nigel dawes anyone??
Pierre dagenais?
Maybe randy robitaille!!? 2 weeks of prep time people. Get it through your skulls..

You you serious???

Do you honestly believe that ALL the Players in the KHL for either the Finns or the Russians are there because the could not make the NHL??



You're just making a fool of yourself now aren't you?

There are good number of Russians and Finns that could easily play in the NHL, but choose to play in the KHL for a number of reasons.

Do I have to list a few players (Ilya Kovalchuk) to show how far off base you are?
- Doppleganger

this is literally the definition of glass house.

Kovalchuk is his ace in the hole...

You you serious???

Do you honestly believe that ALL the Players in the KHL for either the Finns or the Russians are there because the could not make the NHL??



You're just making a fool of yourself now aren't you?

There are good number of Russians and Finns that could easily play in the NHL, but choose to play in the KHL for a number of reasons.

Do I have to list a few players (Ilya Kovalchuk) to show how far off base you are?
- Doppleganger

Name them

Name them
- burn

Too easy.



Kuznetzov is the only name that rings true. And even then hes nothing more than a prospect. young and unproven in our superior league.

And he needs to take emelin off his list. He plays in the nhl.

Like shooting fish in a barrel

FYI, the Russian 2010 Olympic team included 9 skaters from the KHL, and 11 skaters from the NHL.

I would suggest to anyone who thinks there will little or no KHL skaters this time around is only fooling themselves.

Just as some NHL executive types say that one of the reasons the NHL participates in the Olympics, is the "market the NHL" to a world wide audience............well the same is true for the KHL.

The KHL has plans to expand after the Olympics, and actually there will be a team located in Sochi as part of that expansion, and KHL participation at these Olympics will be used to market the KHL in Russia and Europe, and killing any NHL European expansion dreams in the process.

I predict at least two of their top six forwards will be from the KHL, with them being Alexander Ovechkin, Ilya Kovalchuk, Pavel Datsyuk, Evgeni Malkin, Alexander Semin and Alexander Radulov. I also see perhaps 3 more KHLers in the bottom 6 forwards.

http://olympictalk.nbcspo...4-winter-olympics-hockey/

The Russian Rocket put out some bulletin-board material for the rest of the Olympic men’s hockey field Wednesday.

“Every team has chances, but the fact that we are the favourites is indisputable,” two-time Olympian Pavel Bure said, according to R-Sport. “We’ll have a very strong team in Sochi with a great coaching staff and several world stars. And this team is capable of taking the trophy.”

The retired forward Bure, 42, won Olympic silver and bronze with Russia in 1998 and 2002. He was the general manager of the Russian team that took fourth in 2006. Russia lost in the quarterfinals in 2010. The nation hasn’t won gold in men’s hockey at the Olympics since the fall of the Soviet Union and the Unified Team’s triumph in 1992.

But home ice always helps, as Canada learned in 2010 on its way to gold.

The Olympic prediction service Infostrada has Russia winning men’s hockey gold, followed by Finland and the Czech Republic. It has neither Canada nor the U.S. winning men’s hockey medals. A North American nation hasn’t medaled at non-North American Olympics since the 1994 Lillehammer Games before the influx of NHL superstars in 1998.

Team USA Fourth Favourite to Win Olympic Hockey Gold Behind Russia, Canada, Sweden

Four years ago, Team USA was rebuilding its entire hockey program. Few considered them as a favourite to win gold in the 2010 Olympics, let alone a medal of any colour. Their general manager, Brian Burke, even acknowledged that the red, white and blue would be underdogs in Vancouver. We all know what happened next, but as we look ahead to Sochi 2014, Team USA is no longer considered an underdog. In fact, many believe they’re a legitimate gold medal favourite.

They’re currently listed at 6-1 to achieve Olympic glory and many will point to the international ice surface as the primary reason. This surface is slightly larger than the one Team USA dominated on the way to the gold medal game in 2010. The theory is that Americans aren’t accustomed to the international ice so they’ll struggle. And in fact, Team USA has won only three medals in the last 18 tournaments held on international ice. The solution? Americans must get faster and quicker, which is exactly what they’re doing.
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
Austria — 900/1
Slovenia — 900/1
Read more at: http://nesn.com/2013/08/t...ind-russia-canada-sweden/

FYI, the Russian 2010 Olympic team included 9 skaters from the KHL, and 11 skaters from the NHL.

I would suggest to anyone who thinks there will little or no KHL skaters this time around is only fooling themselves.

Just as some NHL executive types say that one of the reasons the NHL participates in the Olympics, is the "market the NHL" to a world wide audience............well the same is true for the KHL.

The KHL has plans to expand after the Olympics, and actually there will be a team located in Sochi as part of that expansion, and KHL participation at these Olympics will be used to market the KHL in Russia and Europe, and killing any NHL European expansion dreams in the process.

I predict at least two of their top six forwards will be from the KHL, with them being Alexander Ovechkin, Ilya Kovalchuk, Pavel Datsyuk, Evgeni Malkin, Alexander Semin and Alexander Radulov. I also see perhaps 3 more KHLers in the bottom 6 forwards.
- Doppleganger

No one saying there wont be, they're saying that it's not an advantage.

http://olympictalk.nbcsports.com/2013/09/04/pavel-bure-russia-favorite-sochi-2014-winter-olympics-hockey/

The Russian Rocket put out some bulletin-board material for the rest of the Olympic men’s hockey field Wednesday.

“Every team has chances, but the fact that we are the favourites is indisputable,” two-time Olympian Pavel Bure said, according to R-Sport. “We’ll have a very strong team in Sochi with a great coaching staff and several world stars. And this team is capable of taking the trophy.”

The retired forward Bure, 42, won Olympic silver and bronze with Russia in 1998 and 2002. He was the general manager of the Russian team that took fourth in 2006. Russia lost in the quarterfinals in 2010. The nation hasn’t won gold in men’s hockey at the Olympics since the fall of the Soviet Union and the Unified Team’s triumph in 1992.

But home ice always helps, as Canada learned in 2010 on its way to gold.

The Olympic prediction service Infostrada has Russia winning men’s hockey gold, followed by Finland and the Czech Republic. It has neither Canada nor the U.S. winning men’s hockey medals. A North American nation hasn’t medaled at non-North American Olympics since the 1994 Lillehammer Games before the influx of NHL superstars in 1998.
- Doppleganger

Pavel bure who has played, been a gm and is a part of russia hockey says we should win in our home nation.
'We have good coaching, and lots of world stars'. Yep theyll be alone in having both of those for sur

And infostrada says the fins should get silver and czechs bronze???!!!


Well u got yourself a couple of slam dunk reliable sources there!!

Im starting to feel bad for you.
U keep serving em up, and ill keep hitting em outta the park bud.

Best part is i bet yzerman isnt near the douche bure is and wouldnt bother claimin on his team. Even though the fact that canads has the best and deepest roster in indisputable.

No one saying there wont be, they're saying that it's not an advantage.
- burn

This.

Reading comprehension 101