International TournamentsDiscuss International Tournaments like the WJC, Olympics, and World Cup, as they take place, or discuss past tournaments. performances.
Without getting into 1A/1B, ties, or leaving spaces to indicate a gap, I'd rank them in this order...
1. Russia
2. Canada
3. Sweden
4. Finland
5. USA
6. Czech Republic
Russia and Canada are very close though, but I have to give the edge to the home nation with 9 returning players. If the US gets stellar goaltending and plays a great team game, they could rank higher, but I can't project on maybes.
Not to sound like a homer but anyone who doesn't have Canada first in this thread is delusional (while there's a lockout). The majority, if not the entire top six would be in the NHL right now with some being top 6 guys in the NHL...
Not to sound like a homer but anyone who doesn't have Canada first in this thread is delusional (while there's a lockout). The majority, if not the entire top six would be in the NHL right now with some being top 6 guys in the NHL...
Like 95% of the Russian squad are in KHL vs 6-10 Canadians in NHL, I don't think it's delusional.
I think your statement is as arrogant as those posting that Canada is some unbeatable team, yet Russia pounded them twice just in August.
Finland should surprise a lot of people, they got some great talent there and are always capable of pulling off the win. Still got Canada pegged as number one though, it's always disappointing when they don't win.
Like 95% of Russian of the Russian squad are in KHL vs 6-10 Canadians in NHL, I don't think it's delusional.
I think your statement is as arrogant as those posting that Canada is some unbeatable team, yet Russia pounded them twice just in August.
Please. Canada dominated 3 of the 4 games in the summer series. Russia was clearly the better team and dominant in Game 2, but I can't say the same for Game 3 as they were outshot 42-27 but won 6-5.
I do not agree with those saying Canada is some sort of mythical unbeatable team just because there is a lockout. This is NOT 2005 and people need to stop thinking that. While there is some sick talent, it is not on the same level. Anything can happen in 1-off games. Canada will not steamroll like they did in 2005 and I expect the knockout games to be nail biters.
As to the original topic, with the lockout in place, Canada clearly has the best Top 6 forwards. They don't give out gold medals based on that though.
Like 95% of the Russian squad are in KHL vs 6-10 Canadians in NHL, I don't think it's delusional.
I think your statement is as arrogant as those posting that Canada is some unbeatable team, yet Russia pounded them twice just in August.
Rank Canada's top six forwards and Russia's top six forwards, put them side by side and Canada will be > on every one of them. Canada isn't unbeatable, especially in a one game tournament but on paper they are head and shoulders above everyone else. All it takes is a lights out goaltending performance to eliminate them though - certainly not a lock for gold. Also in the summer Canada didn't have that guy who is by far the best player in the tournament/a first line centre in the NHL...
Rank Canada's top six forwards and Russia's top six forwards, put them side by side and Canada will be > on every one of them. Canada isn't unbeatable, especially in a one game tournament but on paper they are head and shoulders above everyone else. All it takes is a lights out goaltending performance to eliminate them though - certainly not a lock for gold. Also in the summer Canada didn't have that guy who is by far the best player in the tournament/a first line centre in the NHL...
what criteria would you use to compare the players?
Rank Canada's top six forwards and Russia's top six forwards, put them side by side and Canada will be > on every one of them. Canada isn't unbeatable, especially in a one game tournament but on paper they are head and shoulders above everyone else. All it takes is a lights out goaltending performance to eliminate them though - certainly not a lock for gold. Also in the summer Canada didn't have that guy who is by far the best player in the tournament/a first line centre in the NHL...
How would you rank them? One team has players mostly in one league, and one team has players mostly in another.
I'm sure you scout KHL games to be able to make a fair assessment.
