Olympic Hockey 2018: Ilya Kovalchuk and Top Starters; Best Jersey Photos

Although Russia is banned from the 2018 Winter Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea, by the International Olympic Committee, its hockey players will contend for a championship in men's ice hockey while playing under the neutral designation of Olympic Athletes from Russia.

The Russians' status as favorites is mostly due to the NHL's decision not to release players for the 2018 Olympics. So fans won't see Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid (Canada), Patrick Kane and Auston Matthews (United States) or stars from Sweden, Finland and the tournament's other usual contenders.

While most of the world's top players won't be in attendance, which will diminish the quality of play in Pyeongchang, the prize remains the same: an Olympic gold medal.

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Players To Watch

Ilya Kovalchuk (Russia)

Kovalchuk was an offensive force across 11 years in the NHL. He averaged exactly a point per game (417 goals and 399 assists in 816 appearances) with the Atlanta Thrashers and New Jersey Devils before returning to Russia to sign with the KHL's SKA Saint Petersburg in 2013.

The 34-year-old winger has continued to score at an elite pace since the move, highlighted by 78 points in 60 games last season, and he should take on a first-line role with the Russians. So it would be a surprise if he doesn't land in the MVP conversation at tournament's end.

Meanwhile, the first overall pick in the 2001 NHL draft said the team isn't concerned about not officially representing Russia at the Games, per James Ellingworth of the Associated Press.

"Everyone knows where we're from. It doesn't matter," Kovalchuk said. "The flag is in our heart."

The celebration back home likely won't be any different if the Russians win gold under the OAR moniker, and he'll need to play a crucial role to make it happen.

Rasmus Dahlin (Sweden)

Dahlin isn't in the NHL yet, but it be much longer until he is. The 17-year-old Swedish rising star is a potential first pick in the 2018 draft, and, barring an injury that slows his development, he'll likely make the immediate jump stateside next fall.

For now, however, he's playing for Frolunda HC in the SHL, and that makes him eligible to play for Sweden in the Olympics. The defenseman could get plenty of playing time, too, thanks to his two-way ability, elite skating and the lack of big-name pros on the roster.

Lokomotiv Yaroslavl skills coach Ted Suihkonen provided a glimpse of what makes the teenager special:

Longtime NHL center Ray Ferraro told TSN Radio Vancouver in January that Dahlin is the "Auston Matthews or Connor McDavid of defense."

That's high praise and illustrates the expectations the young Swede will face following the draft. His play in the Olympics will determine whether the hype train continues to pick up steam in the coming months.

Derek Roy (Canada)

Roy had a strong case for inclusion on the Canadians' 2010 Olympic roster. He'd scored 214 points in 235 games across the previous three seasons for the Buffalo Sabres and was in the midst of a campaign where he added 69 points in 80 contests to that tally.

The speedy center wasn't selected and his career faded, which figured to end his dreams of representing his country at the Olympics. The NHL's decision to skip this year's Games provided a glimmer of hope for the forward, who now suits up for Linkopings HC in the SHL.

He talked about the situation with John Vogl of the Buffalo News in late October.

"It means a great deal," Roy said. "Climbing the ranks of world juniors and world championships and under-17s, under-18s and all that stuff with Canada, the ultimate challenge or goal would be to win a gold medal for the Olympic team. I get a chance to do that maybe, and I've just got to make sure I work hard and prove myself. Hopefully, we can go to South Korea and win a gold medal."

Sure enough, he made Canada's final roster. Now the two-time reigning gold medalists will hope he can turn back the clock to his Sabres days to help push for an Olympic three-peat.