Guest mindfly Report post Posted December 25, 2009 Yeah but this was an olympic thread? I compared each country's starting goalie... Finland is tied 3rd place imo. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204 Report post Posted December 25, 2009 (edited) Then I believe you haven't even watched Russia play in international tournaments recently. But you'll see, you just wait. No I have, and if your talking about things like the World Championships were the majority of the Russian teams were KHLer's, then it really doesnt even matter. The Canadian, Swedish and American teams in those tournament didnt have there best talent because most of them were still in the postseason. Russia had the likes of Kovalchuk, Fedorov etc. Dont get me wrong, I'm not stupid like everyone on here tells me I am (which is funny, considering I'm the grit slappie who's the prick, but I digress) Russia will be a major team in the Olympics, I just dont think their depth is as strong because those KHL guys (excluding Radulov and Morozov who've been there done that in the NHL) arent guys like Mike Richards or Ryan Kesler where there top talent but will be on the 3rd/4th lines playing a more defensive role. Edited December 25, 2009 by Detroit # 1 Fan Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest mindfly Report post Posted December 25, 2009 Zinoviev and Zaripov are pretty sick when it comes to skillz too, skill wise they're elite but probably couldn't adapt to the nhl style of play...will be interesting to see if they can be a bit quicker with descisions because this olympics will be on small ice. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Marty Barry 230 Report post Posted December 25, 2009 For my own selfish Wingnut reasons, I sure would like to see Slava Kozlov on this list. I still love the guy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Finnish Wing 110 Report post Posted December 25, 2009 Yeah but this was an olympic thread? I compared each country's starting goalie... Finland is tied 3rd place imo.Yeah, but you replied to my post where I was talking about the leading goalie country in the world. I agree with you about the tied or not-tied 3rd place though, if we're only speaking of starters. You sure it will be Nabokov for Russia? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,804 Report post Posted December 25, 2009 He can. KHL is a good league. An many of these players are NHL calibre. And the main reason they are there, are because they are real role players. Bykov knows these guys and always knows what to expect from them. You can't put Kovalev in a checking line. Look, I know Kovalev has been accused of not always playing hard, but I'm sure that he'd play hard for his own country like he's done in the past. Skill wise, he can do things these players can't do. Same goes for Frolov. I admit I've never seen these players play, but I have a hard time seeing them being better than Frolov and Kovalev. Also, no way Grebeshkov is better defensively than Zubov. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Finnish Wing 110 Report post Posted December 25, 2009 Look, I know Kovalev has been accused of not always playing hard, but I'm sure that he'd play hard for his own country like he's done in the past. Skill wise, he can do things these players can't do. Same goes for Frolov. I admit I've never seen these players play, but I have a hard time seeing them being better than Frolov and Kovalev. Also, no way Grebeshkov is better defensively than Zubov. Zinoviev for example would be an excellent defensive forward in the NHL. He's much like Datsyuk, as being not so physical, but skilled and good two-way player. And it's not only about the skill. It's also about chemistry and roles, which obviously mean a lot for Bykov. It's not the old Russia anymore. This team has discipline and I just don't see someone like Kovalev there. Frolov is useless in bottom lines and they've got better players in the top lines already. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest mindfly Report post Posted December 25, 2009 Yeah, but you replied to my post where I was talking about the leading goalie country in the world. I agree with you about the tied or not-tied 3rd place though, if we're only speaking of starters. You sure it will be Nabokov for Russia? Yes no doubt it will be Nabokov if he doesnt have a meltdown between now and the olympics Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest mindfly Report post Posted December 25, 2009 Look, I know Kovalev has been accused of not always playing hard, but I'm sure that he'd play hard for his own country like he's done in the past. Skill wise, he can do things these players can't do. Same goes for Frolov. I admit I've never seen these players play, but I have a hard time seeing them being better than Frolov and Kovalev. Also, no way Grebeshkov is better defensively than Zubov. I can tell you right now they are better and most importantly hotter right now, both frolov and kovalev has been as lazy as they can get while the two Z's are ripping it up in the KHL Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
newfy 695 Report post Posted December 25, 2009 No I have, and if your talking about things like the World Championships were the majority of the Russian teams were KHLer's, then it really doesnt even matter. The Canadian, Swedish and American teams in those tournament didnt have there best talent because most of them were still in the postseason. Russia had the likes of Kovalchuk, Fedorov etc. Dont get me wrong, I'm not stupid like everyone on here tells me I am (which is funny, considering I'm the grit slappie who's the prick, but I digress) Russia will be a major team in the Olympics, I just dont think their depth is as strong because those KHL guys (excluding Radulov and Morozov who've been there done that in the NHL) arent guys like Mike Richards or Ryan Kesler where there top talent but will be on the 3rd/4th lines playing a more defensive role. I agree I just don't beleive the KHL is that special. Sure theyh ave good players but they aren't the likes of NHL guys. The guys in the NHL play a tougher game then in the KHL and still show off their skills. Would these skilled KHL guys look as pretty out there as they do now playing against Pronger or someone like that. I personally doubt it. Isn't Hudler tearing it up in the KHL right now? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest mindfly Report post Posted December 25, 2009 (edited) Hudler is ranked 10th is KHL scoring 36gp 14g 19a for 33pts. But remember that KHL fits Hudler much better because of the big ice and not as much hits and toughness Edited December 25, 2009 by mindfly Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
newfy 695 Report post Posted December 25, 2009 Hudler is ranked 10th is KHL scoring 36gp 14g 19a for 33pts. But remember that KHL fits Hudler much better because of the big ice and not as much hits and toughness ANd that pretty much sums up why I wouldn't have faith in the KHL guys. Theyre going to have to play on the small ice against guys like Mike Richards, Shane Doan, Brendan Morrow, Iginla, Perry, Getzlaf or Nash. Good luck adjusting to that in a few games then trying to handle those guys on the small ice. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sibiriak 84 Report post Posted December 25, 2009 They've also got good defensive forwards, but the one thing they lack is toughness. The whole team is full of soft Euros. And Finland's goalies are the best after Canada! Yes, its full of fuzzy teddybears like OV, Volchenkov and Radulov. Good luck trying to intimidate those. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sibiriak 84 Report post Posted December 25, 2009 Their offence is great, but the amount of KHLers and inferior defence doesnt scare me. Sweden and Canada look to be stronger, Russia will be there, but I just dont believe in the KHL or it's players. All but 1 players on team Russia have NHL experience and all but 3 have played in the NHL for many years. This is essentially an 90% NHL team. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Finnish Wing 110 Report post Posted December 25, 2009 Yes, its full of fuzzy teddybears like OV, Volchenkov and Radulov. Good luck trying to intimidate those.I was kidding. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tommingthepuck96 1 Report post Posted December 25, 2009 Anyways, nice looking group. I wonder how they'll share Ovechkin and Kovalchuk between Malkin and Pavel? Couple quotes from NHL.com Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit Red Wings -- Nothing seems to slow Datsyuk down. He finished 2008-09 with 97 points (32 goals, 65 assists), matching his career high established one season earlier. He's won back-to-back Selke trophies and will be the perfect pivot for Morozov and Danis Zaripov. Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins -- After leading the 2008-09 regular season with 113 points and the '09 Stanley Cup Playoffs with 36 points, Malkin will look for the hat trick with plenty of production in the 2010 Olympics. We expect him to center a line between Kovalchuk and Alexander Frolov. Sergei Fedorov, Metallurg Magnitogorsk (KHL) -- To complement this offensive machine, it's imperative to bring some players with defensive acumen; Fedorov is that type of player. Don't forget, Washington Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau had Fedorov manning the blue line at times last season. Plus, Fedorov centered Ovechkin and Alexander Semin at the 2008 World Championships in Quebec. I cant imagine seeing datsyuk playing a third line role. It will be interesting to see what the lines actually are. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hockeytown0001 7,652 Report post Posted December 25, 2009 Ovechkin-Datsyuk-Semin Kovalchuk-Malkin-Afinogenov Morozov-Fedorov-Radulov Zaripov-Kozlov-Zinoviev Gonchar-Markov Volchenkov-Kalinin Tyutin-Grebeshkov Bryzgalov Nabokov Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,804 Report post Posted December 25, 2009 I can tell you right now they are better and most importantly hotter right now, both frolov and kovalev has been as lazy as they can get while the two Z's are ripping it up in the KHL What about Nikolai Zherdev? Is he doing so bad in the KHL that he wasn't picked for the team? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest mindfly Report post Posted December 25, 2009 Ovechkin-Datsyuk-Semin Kovalchuk-Malkin-Afinogenov Morozov-Fedorov-Radulov Zaripov-Kozlov-Zinoviev Gonchar-Markov Volchenkov-Kalinin Tyutin-Grebeshkov Bryzgalov Nabokov That 2nd line look a bit weak defensively though Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest mindfly Report post Posted December 25, 2009 What about Nikolai Zherdev? Is he doing so bad in the KHL that he wasn't picked for the team? Yep very much so, he's had a brutal season thus far Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,804 Report post Posted December 25, 2009 Yep very much so, he's had a brutal season thus far So has Datsyuk, but he's on the team. For that matter, Lidstrom shouldn't be on team Sweden if these countries are only picking players based on current performance. If I were picking, I'd take Zherdev, Kovalev, Frolov and Zubov on the team, and they'd probably win the Gold Medal. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest mindfly Report post Posted December 25, 2009 LoL everyone you just listed except zubov is like Yashin-type lazy and sucks with poor attitude in general and as greedy as few can be... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,804 Report post Posted December 25, 2009 LoL everyone you just listed except zubov is like Yashin-type lazy and sucks with poor attitude in general and as greedy as few can be... These guys all have a good overall in my NHL 2k6 game, which is what I'm basing this on. Yashin is another guy I forgot. I'd rather see these guys with star power (even former star power), than these other guys nobody ever heard of. BTW, Afinogenov is a lazy and sucks player too. He's having a decent half season, but I can't believe they'd pick the guy just for that. He's been terrible the last few years which is why the Sabres let him go. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest mindfly Report post Posted December 25, 2009 (edited) Nah he just played in a very defense-first system in buffalo on a 4thline most of the time and could never show up his offensive effectiveness now he's playing with his countryman and super-sniper kovalchuk and tearing it up... change of scenery can do wonders... Edited December 25, 2009 by mindfly Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,804 Report post Posted December 25, 2009 I notice there isn't an enforcer on that roster. What happened to my boy Andrei Nazarov? Is he still playing, anyone? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
