Team Russia Hockey Preview
Team Russia
Updating our 2010 Winter Olympic Ice Hockey Preview, today we examine the Russia Federation or the Big Red Machine. Russia finished 4th in the 2006 Olympics, losing the Bronze medal game to the Czech Republic. Despite its reputation as of the top rated and most successful ice hockey nations in the world, Russia has never won Olympic Gold. That’s because Russia splintered off from the Soviet Union when the country officially dissolved in December 1991. Of course, the Soviet Union national ice hockey team won seven gold medals in nine Olympic appearances. Also, the Unified Team (which consisted of six of the fifteen former Soviet republics – Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Uzbekistan, and Armenia) won gold at the 1992 Winter games. And Russia citizens made up the bulk of those squads.
As Russia, the country has competed four times in ice hockey, winning two medals. Even with out a gold medal on the résumé, the country remains a dangerous opponent, as evidence by its world number two ranking and 2008 World Championship, a game in which they defeated Canada on Canadian soil. Always noted for their explosive scorers, the 2010 squad is looking strong as they have some of the best players in the NHL.
The team is coached by Vyacheslav “Slava” Bykov.
FORWARDS:
Alexander Ovechkin
Alexander Ovechkin, Washington Capitals
Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins
Ilya Kovalchuk, Atlanta Thrashers
Alexander Semin, Washington Capitals
Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit Red Wings
Nikolai Zherdev, New York Rangers
Alexander Frolov, Los Angeles Kings
Alexei Kovalev, Montreal Canadiens
Alexander Radulov, Salavat Yulaev Ufa (KHL)
Aleksey Morozov, Ak-Bars Kazan (KHL)
Nikita Filatov, Columbus Blue Jackets
Sergei Fedorov, Washington Capitals
Alexei Yashin, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL)
Alexander Ovechkin is the defending NHL MVP, top goal scorer, and arguably the game’s best player. If he’s isn’t the game’s best player, that mantle might fall to countryman Evgeni Malkin, MVP runner-up. Both will anchor scoring lines for Russia, or join up to form a superline. Despite an on-ice rivalry, Ovechkin and Malkin have worked well together in the past. Howver, these two names just scratch the surface of Russia’s scoring potential.
Ilya Kovalchuk finished second in goals behind Ovechkin and is another dangerous scorer. Datsyuk finished 4th in the league in scoring, won the Selke trophy for being the best defensive forward, and helped the Red Wings win the Stanley Cup. Semin is another dangerous scorer, he was the league leader in scoring this season before getting injured. All three guys should find themselves on a scoring line in Vancouver.
To complement the immense scoring talent, players like Federov and Frolov help bring defensive presence. The roster is rounded out with a number of young skilled players like Radulov, Zherdev, and Filatov plus a few Russian Leaguers. Team Russia always likes to take a few players that play at home, but in this case they can pick for a number of former NHLers. You could easily see players like Sergei Zinovjev or Danis Zaripov slide in if a few more KHLers are selected.
DEFENSEMEN:
Ilya Kovalchuk
Andrei Markov, Montreal Canadiens
Anton Volchenkov, Ottawa Senators
Sergei Zubov, Dallas Stars
Fedor Tyutin, Columbus Blue Jackets
Denis Grebeshov, Edmonton Oilers
Vitaly Atyushov, Metallurg Magnitogorsk (KHL)
The defensive ranks are thinner than the forwards, but still pack a strong punch. Andrei Markov has developed into a good all-around defenseman, strong both on defense and offense. He’ll likely team with offensive powerhouse Sergei Gonchar on the power play. These two veterans log huge minutes for their respective NHL clubs, and provide Russia with two of the better rear guards around.
Zubov would be a great addition to the squad, but has often declined to participate for the national team in the past. Combined with a rash of recent injuries, he might not make the cut. But if he’s healthy, he’s certainly one of Russia’s best options and he makes this squad. Volchenkov, Tyutin, and Grebeshov are around for defense purposes only. If a spot opens up, Ilya Nikulinand Rangers blueliner Dmitri Kalinin will merit consideration.
GOALTENDERS:
Evgeni Nabokov
Evgeni Nabokov, San Jose Sharks
Ilya Bryzgalov, Phoenix Coyotes
Nikolai Khabibulin, Chicago Blackhawks
A position of little depth in the past, Russia could field its deepest pool of goaltending talent in quite some time. Nabokov was the runner-up to for the Vezina last season and is generally considered a top 5 goalie in the NHL. Although a Russian citizen, Nabokov was born in present day Kazakhstan and represented that country in the 1994 World Championships. He was denied permission to play for Russia at the 2002 games, but finally allowed to represent them in 2006. As the anchor of the ‘08 world Championship squad, he’ll be expected to be the #1 goalie in Vancouver.
Backing him up will be Bryzgalov, who became a full time NHL starter last season. Most experts consider him an above-average NHL goaltender, despite some ups and downs. The final spot goes to Khabibulin, who backstopped the Tampa Bay Lightning to a Stanley Cup in 2004. He’s been inconsistent since that time, but is again playing strong this year. An interesting tidbit on Khabibulin is that he won a gold medal in 1992 as the third goaltender for the Soviet Team. Controversy arose when legendary Russian coach Viktor Tikhonov kept the medal for himself (coaches and management are not awarded medals in Olympic hockey) instead of allowing Khabibulin to have one, as Khabibulin had not played a game in the tournament. This lead to a stalemate between Russian Hockey and Khabibulin that was finally resolved in 2002.
If any of the goalies can’t play, except Alexander Eremenko to snare the spot. A real darkhorse candidate is Capitals prospect Simeon Varlamov.
Outlook: Russia’s strength has always been and remains its offensive upside. Fielding three of the top four scorers from the NHL last season, plus the runner-up in goals will make the offense scary good. Despite the offensive prowess, I believe the team’s success will largely be dictated by its defensive play, both by the forwards and the defensemen. They will also require the goaltending to stand tall. By talent alone, the country is the second best squad in the tournament and a definite gold medal contender, something the country hasn’t won since Russia replaced the Soviet Union (and also the short lived Unified Team of 1992). This squad is good enough to end that drought.
# 2 ???!!! They have six good forwards and 2 good D, yeah, so what if they have 2 good goalies, i think 4th place
numbr 2?? their forwards lineup easily outclasses anyother nations (this not comming from a russian), their defense is top 3 and their goalie lineup top 3 at least. #1-obviously
“their defense is top 3 and their goalie lineup top 3 at least. #1-obviously”
what kind of fantasy world do you live in? canada’s offense is not that far behind russia’s because of its depth, and they clearly are better defensively and in front of the net.
russia = #2
Russia for gold, canada has no chance
Russia will win in Vancouver 2010. Lights out for team Canada
Russia and Canada in final at Van will be something see. looking at the latest roster invites for Canada, they did forget out SAVARD (PROB ONE OF TOP 10 PLAYERS IN LEAGUE TODAY) and Russia relying on varlmov instead of khabulin was strange.
na huy canadtsev!!! Russia for Gold!!!!
the final will definately be canada and russia no doubt. im canadian and i say canada will have there hands full against this russian squad. If russia plays with good chemistry canada can kiss their olympic gold goodbye.
Being a canadian/russia fan I have to say that russia will win gold and i know canada has a killer team but Russia has a even better team all around.With the worlds It will be a good olympics for sure. Canada also lt to russia in the 06 olympics so Canada might have to settle for the silver medal.
The last thing Alex Ovechkin, Evgeni Malkin, and Ilya Kovalchuk are is second anything. Has anybody been watching Ovechkin this year? Kovalchuk? Malkin? They can all carry teams on their own. Together they will crush the opposition.
Russia definitely has the upper hand w/ their offensive lines than Canada, but their defense is lacking. (and i say defense as in not only the D, but also the forwards poor defensive play and their shocking choice of goaltenders). Defense wins championships fellas. I’m from the Pittsburgh so I really don’t care who comes out on top, but in my opinion Canada will win.
Oh, and to Dave who said
“The last thing Alex Ovechkin, Evgeni Malkin, and Ilya Kovalchuk are is second anything. Has anybody been watching Ovechkin this year? Kovalchuk? Malkin? They can all carry teams on their own. Together they will crush the opposition.”
These players don’t carry the team, they work well with the players they are put on the ice with(aka chemistry) which is very important. There are only a few times in a game where these players will just skate around everyone and score. The only place your going to see that is back in Mite hockey, rarely in the NHL, and definitely not against the top players in the world.
(sorry for my english ) Dont forget on Czech hockey team . We didn´t win World Cup in recent years because we had bad coach for whom nobody wonts play . But since last year there is Ruzicka (former player who won gold in Nagano and after coach who led czech in Wien to gold in 2005 and World cup of hockey 2004 to quaterfinall with Canada after extremly thriler match ) who has great relationships whit players and we play good hockey again – for example- we won for first time EHT ( “euro hockey tour” constist of Czech , Finnish , Swedish and Russian teams )on september 2009 . Czech national team has still really great players as Prospal , Elias , Havlat , Hejduk , Hemsky , Plekanec , Fleischman , Krejci , Kotalik + players from euro leagues Jagr , Cajanek , Hudler from top ten in points . In defense best of Tomas Kaberle and others like Kubina , Hamrlik , Spacek , Kuba , Polak , Zidlicky , Hejda ( one of the best in +- ) , Michalek , Rachunek …and great goalies Vokoun , Pavelec + Stepanek or Schwarc from Europe . ….So be wary on Czech . We won olypmic gold medals in 98 and bronze at last in Turin , no teams isnt more successful in profesional histori since 98´ . Good beye in Vancouver , I look forvard to games .
(sorry xfor my english ) Dont forget on Czech hockey team . We didn´t win World Cup in recent years because we had bad coach for whom nobody wonts play . But since last year there is Ruzicka (former player who won gold in Nagano and after coach who led czech in Wien to gold in 2005 and World cup of hockey 2004 to quaterfinall with Canada after extremly thriler match ) who has great relationships whit players and we play good hockey again – for example- we won for first time EHT ( “euro hockey tour” constist of Czech , Finnish , Swedish and Russian teams )on september 2009 . Czech national team has still really great players as Prospal , Elias , Havlat , Hejduk , Hemsky , Plekanec , Fleischman , Krejci , Kotalik + players from euro leagues Jagr , Cajanek , Hudler from top ten in points . In defense best of Tomas Kaberle and others like Kubina , Hamrlik , Spacek , Kuba , Polak , Zidlicky , Hejda ( one of the best in +- ) , Michalek , Rachunek …and great goalies Vokoun , Pavelec + Stepanek or Schwarc from Europe . ….So be wary on Czech . We won olypmic gold medals in 98 and bronze at last in Turin , no teams isnt more successful in profesional histori since 98´ . Good beye in Vancouver , I look forvard to games .
umm ya Canada’s offense is 2nd… but a more distant 2nd than some patriots here are willing to admit. Canada’s offense is either on due to hard work or off, Russia can coast through large parts of the game than explode for multiple goals on sheer talent in seconds apart, they are the only offense in this tournament capable of creating something out of nothing. That doesnt mean they will coast by the way, it just means if it comes to that I wouldnt count the Russians out, but i would count Canada out.
Russia has won the past two world championships… that is actually quiet significant
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