Now that the rosters are actually selected, I'll comment on which teams I like.

I like Sweden's roster best on paper. Then the US and Canada are on par by my standards, with Russia being perfectly capable of bumping those two not necessarily by the quality of their roster on paper, but on account of the home ice advantage.

With timely goaltending, I could see Finland surprising.

As I said all along, Canada's ability to let the larger ice actually be a boon to them depended on the squad they selected. I feel like in making conscious decisions to leave off stalwart but slower players like Joe Thornton, they were trying to accommodate for the difference in ice size.

I've seen presumptive Canadian 3rd liner Matt Duchene burn presumptive Russian 3rd pairing Dman Anton Belov on small North American ice, so I have no problem believing that larger ice could afford Canadian speedsters as much if not more opportunities than they see in the NHL.

Our defense skates fairly well too - they'll have the larger challenge in my opinion, as the angles change considerably with the added space.

Goaltending, which I already think is probably 3rd best in the tournament is inevitably changed by the increased shooting space.

Now that the rosters are actually selected, I'll comment on which teams I like.

I like Sweden's roster best on paper. Then the US and Canada are on par by my standards, with Russia being perfectly capable of bumping those two not necessarily by the quality of their roster on paper, but on account of the home ice advantage.

With timely goaltending, I could see Finland surprising.

As I said all along, Canada's ability to let the larger ice actually be a boon to them depended on the squad they selected. I feel like in making conscious decisions to leave off stalwart but slower players like Joe Thornton, they were trying to accommodate for the difference in ice size.

I've seen presumptive Canadian 3rd liner Matt Duchene burn presumptive Russian 3rd pairing Dman Anton Belov on small North American ice, so I have no problem believing that larger ice could afford Canadian speedsters as much if not more opportunities than they see in the NHL.

Our defense skates fairly well too - they'll have the larger challenge in my opinion, as the angles change considerably with the added space.

Goaltending, which I already think is probably 3rd best in the tournament is inevitably changed by the increased shooting space.
- Morris

I agree that Finland could be the surprise team of the tournament and Canada's biggest obstacle in the Group round.

I agree that Finland could be the surprise team of the tournament and Canada's biggest obstacle in the Group round.
- Doppleganger

I could very easily see any of the top 4 teams mentioned (Canada, US, Russia, Sweden) winning gold, and any of that same 4 finishing lower than 4th.

it certainly would be a story of a team outside of that group won gold, but I can't discount it completely.

I could very easily see any of the top 4 teams mentioned (Canada, US, Russia, Sweden) winning gold, and any of that same 4 finishing lower than 4th.

it certainly would be a story of a team outside of that group won gold, but I can't discount it completely.
- Morris

The whole logistics of the Canadian team members departing from numerous locations in North America to travel to Frankfurt to meet up, and then flying to Moscow, and then flying on to Sochi crossing anywhere from 7 to 10 time zones and showing up in Sochi a couple of days before their first game without any meaningful practice time is going to be a huge hurdle to get over.

It'll take days to get over the time change and to develop some team chemistry all at the same time.

The Finns will have an advantage to a certain extent over Canada, some of their team will have been in Sochi for a week or two before their first game.

Kunitz crosby stamkos
Sharp toews tavares
Benn getzlaf perry
Nash Bergeron carter
Marleau duchesne

Keith weber
Bouwmeister pietrangelo
Vlasic doughty
Hamhuis subban

Price/luongo/ smith

Kunitz crosby stamkos
Sharp toews tavares
Benn getzlaf perry
Nash Bergeron carter
Marleau duchesne

Keith weber
Bouwmeister pietrangelo
Vlasic doughty
Hamhuis subban

Price/luongo/ smith
- himel420

that 3rd line is beastor

i really hope duchene gets a regular shift. i think he could be huge for us.

no way subban gets benched for vlasic

that 3rd line is beastor

i really hope duchene gets a regular shift. i think he could be huge for us.

no way subban gets benched for vlasic
- hugefemale dog77

Have you seen Marc-Edouard Vlasic play?

Have you seen Marc-Edouard Vlasic play?
- Doppleganger

Dont bother responding to my posts attempting to engage.

There's really no point as ive concluded you're either too stupid to understand simple concepts or you're a total douche. Either way, i have no respect whatsoever for your opinions.

Dont bother responding to my posts attempting to engage.

There's really no point as ive concluded you're either too stupid to understand simple concepts or you're a total douche. Either way, i have no respect whatsoever for your opinions.
- hugefemale dog77

Kunitz crosby stamkos
Sharp toews tavares
Benn getzlaf perry
Nash Bergeron carter
Marleau duchesne

Keith weber
Bouwmeister pietrangelo
Vlasic doughty
Hamhuis subban

Price/luongo/ smith

Dont bother responding to my posts attempting to engage.

There's really no point as ive concluded you're either too stupid to understand simple concepts or you're a total douche. Either way, i have no respect whatsoever for your opinions.
- hugefemale dog77

Classy.

I guess when you've been schooled by someone on the difference the International sized ice factors in to the selection of players for the various Olympic teams and how well North American team have fared since 1994 you're a bit embarrassed, so you take your ball and run home. No loss for me.

The majority of the top players on every team plays in the NHL. The big ice surface "advantage" is a myth I think

[quote=hugefemale dog77]

.

The last time Canada won the Gold medal for hockey, in the Olympics when played on International sized ice was 1952 in Oslo.

Canada has won Bronze in Cortina d'Ampezzo in 1956, Silver in Squaw Valley 1960 (looks like ISI), Bronze in Grenoble 1968 and Silvers in Albertville 1992 & Lillehammer 1994 on International sized ice.



Squaw Valley

The last time Canada won the Gold medal for hockey, in the Olympics when played on International sized ice was 1952 in Oslo.

Canada has won Bronze in Cortina d'Ampezzo in 1956, Silver in Squaw Valley 1960 (looks like ISI), Bronze in Grenoble 1968 and Silvers in Albertville 1992 & Lillehammer 1994 on International sized ice.



Squaw Valley
- Doppleganger

yes we get it, we are (frank)ed and its going to be a challenge. ty for your due diligence on this issue.

I'm still pissed at Crosby's lack of production in the 92' and 94' Olympics.

yes we get it, we are (frank)ed and its going to be a challenge. ty for your due diligence on this issue.
- Cape Breton Bruins

They'll be just fine, medal for sure. But a hot goalie will be the key to gold so we'll see what happens.

They'll be just fine, medal for sure. But a hot goalie will be the key to gold so we'll see what happens.
- Nucker101

honestly its redic even trying to handicap or predict a tourney of this nature where you show up, play a hand full of games and leave. A bad injury, hot goalie you know its all (frank)ey,

I'm still pissed at Crosby's lack of production in the 92' and 94' Olympics.
- Cape Breton Bruins

he choked in the big game both times.
so did Duchene. I knew we shouldn't have picked him for that 92' team

I'm still pissed at Crosby's lack of production in the 92' and 94' Olympics.
- Cape Breton Bruins

he choked in the big game both times.
so did Duchene. I knew we shouldn't have picked him for that 92' team
- hugefemale dog77

You'd think a 1 year old's energy would have been perfect for that tourney.

honestly its redic even trying to handicap or predict a tourney of this nature where you show up, play a hand full of games and leave. A bad injury, hot goalie you know its all (frank)ey,
- Cape Breton Bruins

However if you were pressed into making a prediction, would you not look at each different country, (that you would consider to be in the running for gold) and take an unbiased objective look at each Country's past performances in similar circumstances (ice size, travel time, home country etc) and each teams make up of players?


In 2010, I would suggest that the smaller NHL sized ice favoured the two North American teams. Travel time, jet lag and adjusting to the time zone did not factor in to it, if at all. Also the home country fans may have helped Canada to a certain extent.


The Russians will have 10 Players from the KHL this time around, and the KHL is shutting down two weeks prior to the Olympics...........this will help the Russian team to a certain degree, and the Finnish team as well as a number of their team's players also play in the KHL.

Team Canada is now the Favourite to win Gold............but as you pointed out, there are unexpected factors that can swing things into a totally different direction during the short tournament.

Canada +146
Russia +281
Sweden +499
USA +579
Finland +1300
Czech Republic +1300
Switzerland +3300
Slovakia +4000
Norway +19200
Slovenia +35600
Latvia +66700
Austria +58800

However if you were pressed into making a prediction, would you not look at each different country, (that you would consider to be in the running for gold) and take an unbiased objective look at each Country's past performances in similar circumstances (ice size, travel time, home country etc) and each teams make up of players?


In 2010, I would suggest that the smaller NHL sized ice favoured the two North American teams. Travel time, jet lag and adjusting to the time zone did not factor in to it, if at all. Also the home country fans may have helped Canada to a certain extent.


The Russians will have 10 Players from the KHL this time around, and the KHL is shutting down two weeks prior to the Olympics...........this will help the Russian team to a certain degree, and the Finnish team as well as a number of their team's players also play in the KHL.

Team Canada is now the Favourite to win Gold............but as you pointed out, there are unexpected factors that can swing things into a totally different direction during the short tournament.

Canada +146
Russia +281
Sweden +499
USA +579
Finland +1300
Czech Republic +1300
Switzerland +3300
Slovakia +4000
Norway +19200
Slovenia +35600
Latvia +66700
Austria +58800
- Doppleganger

you can sure but in they end nobody knows until the games are played. You can make assessments based on the past, consisting of different players, in a different time and it could be flat wrong. Obviously the larger ice favours players accustom to player on larger ice and vise versa but nothing is a given. Time will tell.

My opinion is that its a virtual toss up between Canada, Russia, Sweden and the USA with Finland being not too far behind. I would not be the least bit surprised if any of those 5 teams won the gold medal if they played the games in Russia, Canada, Sweden or on the moon. Its pretty wide open and should be a great tourney for hockey fans to enjoy high caliber play.

you can sure but in they end nobody knows until the games are played. You can make assessments based on the past, consisting of different players, in a different time and it could be flat wrong. Obviously the larger ice favours players accustom to player on larger ice and vise versa but nothing is a given. Time will tell.
- Cape Breton Bruins

Back in 1972 most Canadians did not think Team Canada had a hope in hell of winning the "Summit Series" once it shifted over to Moscow, but somehow the Canadian NHLers team managed to find away to pull off the series win.............so yes, I would not venture to place any money on any one team right now, as Canada may be the favourite on paper, but the games are played on the ice.

Back in 1972 most Canadians did not think Team Canada had a hope in hell of winning the "Summit Series" once it shifted over to Moscow, but somehow the Canadian NHLers team managed to find away to pull off the series win.............so yes, I would not venture to place any money on any one team right now, as Canada may be the favourite on paper, but the games are played on the ice.
- Doppleganger

Its a pretty wide open field. Many teams are favourites in their own respect for different reasons.