From Russia, with Love: Are the Russians the Team To Beat in 2010?

Russian Hockey set to attack at the 2010 Olympics: Are the Russians the team to beat?

If you listen to some of the prognosticators out there, Canada’s hockey team seems to be the odds-on favorite to win the Gold Medal at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver. Canada will have the entire country behind them, they will have the advantage of home cooking, home ice, a great Coaching Staff, and they certainly have the talent to pull it off.

But wait, before we Canadians start naming all of our first born children after Team Canada’s roster, let me remind you of a team that will be gunning to take the mighty Canadians down: RUSSIA.

Canada/Russia has a sexy ring to it. Every Canadian remembers the 1972 Canada/Russia series, the series that opened the Worlds eyes to just how talented Russia had become. It says here a Canada/Russia finale would be a fantastic spectacle, one for the ages, especially when you consider the enormous amount of talent on both rosters.

Russia is a worthy foe and quite possibly the only team capable of knocking off the Canadians.

Here are my favorites to represent the Russians at the 2010 Olympics. It’s one scary roster, one that could crush the dreams of every Canadian.....

Position: Centre

Pavol Datsyuk 

A couple of Stanley Cup rings with the Detroit Red Wings gives Datsyuk the nod as Russia’s No. 1 centre ahead of Evgeni Malkin. He is more experienced and arguably just as talented as Malkin, and Datsyuk brings the added skill of having the ability to play both ends of the ice, he is quite possibly the games best two-way player.

Datsyuk will be counted on to shut down the opposition and play a major role on the Penalty Kill and Power Plays, Datsyuk is Russia’s most indispensable player.

Evgeni Malkin 

Not to be overshadowed by Datsyuk, Malkin will be an integral part of Russia’s success. He has the ability to single-handedly change the game and will command a tremendous amount of attention from the opposition. He is the quintessential offensive player and very well may lead the Olympics in scoring.

Victor Kozlov 

There has been some rumblings that Russia may look outside the box for their third line centre, you guessed it, that useless piece of flesh that masquerade's as a hockey player every five years, Alexei Yashin. I think Yashin would be a cancer, so I will opt with Kozlov.

Sergei Fedorov 

Laugh all you want, Fedorov is still one of the finest two-way players in the game, and he is rejuvenated in Washington. Besides, Fedorov will not see the ice that often, we are talking about 12-15 minutes a game, Fedorov can do that in his sleep.

Fedorov will be a valuable veteran in the locker room, he has won his fair share of Stanley Cups and knows the Olympic pressure and International rosters very well.


Position: Left Wing

Alexander Ovechkin 

When he is on, Ovechkin is the best player on the planet. Ovie-one-kenobie will bring “The force” and has a legit chance at leading the Olympics in goal scoring.

Ovechkin will get a ton of attention from the opposition, but, as he has proven time and time again, he will dominate, and bring his game to a whole new level, which is pretty scary!

Ilya Kovalchuk 

Stuck on a bad team, Kovalchuk will have a coming out party at the Olympics. His plus/minus stats suggest he needs defensive work, but once again, think of the team he plays on. Kovalchuk is my sleeper pick for the goal scoring leader in this tournament.

Alexander Semin 

He’s got a big mouth, he’s also got a big shot. Semin may very well see second line duty, but for the purpose of filling out this roster, I will slot him on the third line. Semin is extremely talented offensively, but I feel Kovalchuk’s experience will give him the nod as the second line Left Winger.

Alexander Frolov 

There is no logical pick here. What the Russian’s need here is a player that can play both ends of the ice, trouble is, there is no such player to be had. Frolov is quickly becoming a superstar in the NHL, he will be asked to tweak his game, play both ends of the ice and be defensively responsible. Good Luck with that!

Position: Right Wing

Alex Kovalev 

Montreal Canadien fans know all too well, when Kovalev is on his game there are few players that are better offensively. Kovalev likes the spotlight and should play well at this tournament.

Kovalev will be asked to take a back seat to the youngsters and see duty on the second Power Play unit, as long as he can keep his ego in check he should be fine. That makes Russia’s first line—Kovalev at Right Wing, Ovechkin at Left Wing, and Datsyuk at Centre...Gulppppp!!!!

Alexander Radulov 

Gone from the NHL, Radulov will not be forgotten come the Olympics. Look for Radulov to be counted on to feed the puck to his mates; he will be another player with big point totals. That makes Russia’s second line—Radulov at Right Wing, Kovalchuk at Left Wing and Malkin at Centre.

Vyacheslav Kozlov 

Could get upstaged by the likes of Nikita Filitov, but until Filly makes it to the NHL, I will go with Kozlov here. Kozlov still has some talent, but will need to work on his defensive game, Kozlov is a plus/minus - 17 this season with Atlanta, he will need to firm up his game to be there.

That would make the Russian’s third line, V. Kozlov at Right Wing, Semin at Left Wing, A. Kozlov at Centre.

Nikolai Zherdev 

Could just as easily end up as the third line Right Winger, Zherdev has  to be better defensively, but that can be said about most of this team. So, to round off Russia’s roster, the fourth line should look like, Zherdev at Right Wing, Frolov at Left Wing and Fedorov at Centre.

Position: Defense

Sergei Gonchar 

One of the best power Play quarterbacks in the game, Gonchar will be counted on to lead Russia’s defensive corps and log heavy minutes. They better hope he is healthy, there is quite the drop-off in talent at this position, his absence would be a disaster—see the Pittsburgh Penguins season....

Andrei Markov 

Has established himself as an All-Star calibre D-Man, should see plenty of action, they will need him to find his physical game early and often.

Sergei Zubov 

If he’s healthy, Zubov makes this team and may be asked to fulfill a leadership role. He has won a couple of Stanley Cups, has tremendous International experience and is one of the best Power Play specialist in the game.

Denis Grebeshkov 

Not well known in hockey circles, Grebeshkov has been a decent addition to the Edmonton Oilers lineup. Grebeshkov will be counted on to play in most situations, it says here he will need to play a simple game, otherwise he will get exposed.

Fedor Tyutin 

The Columbus Blue Jackets love this young up and comer. Tyutin loves to shoot the puck and he distributes the puck well. Tyutin has a bit of a mean streak, but he will never be confused for Chris Pronger.

Dmitri Kalinin 

Steady, unassuming, Kalinin will be relied upon to shut down the opposition, a simple game will suffice, Russia just wants him to dump the puck and play good Defense, that’s it, that’s all...Simple....

Anton Volchenkov 

Here comes that drop off I was alluding too. Volchenkov looks to be over his head at the Olympics, but the options are slim for Russia. Stands to earn himself a rather large Minus by the time this tourney has ended, that is if he plays...Russia would  be wise to use Volchenkov sparingly.

Goaltenders

Evgeni Nabokov

One of the NHL’s best goalies, Nabokov will be the biggest difference maker when it comes to Russia’s defensive shortcomings. He will have to play MVP-like hockey in order for Russia to win Gold, it says here Nabby is more than capable of it.

Nikolai Khabibulin

if it wasn’t for his price-tag somebody would have picked up this impressive goalie off waivers. Khabibulin has found his game this season, helping the Chicago Blackhawks capture a playoff spot this year. The “Bulin Wall” will be waiting in the wings if Nabokov falters.

Ilya Bryzgalov

Where would the Phoenix Coyotes be without this guy? How about 15 points behind their current pace? Bryz can steal a game on his own, he is unlikely to see action, but he will be ready and able if needed.

Until next time,

Peace!