Team Russia's Lines Announced

[Slitty]

2. As for Slava Kozlov, I have read about Nemchinov approaching him this year. I'll look up the article.

3. Mogilny would still look better up there than any RSL player (exept for Malkin).

4. Fedorov looks much better than Kozlov, even on the fourth line. He's always been good for Russiia internationally. Very poor decision making on his behalf.

Now Kozlov playing center - they guy admitedlyhates to take faceoffs. That could prove disasterous. His work ethics are questionable at best. I would rather have Brylin out there

2. You may have seen inside information or more likely bogus post on some forum, the official story of the Russian coaching staff and management is that Slava Kozlov was never contacted and never considered. While Krikunov certainly has a habit of saying one thing and doing another, I believe that once one factors in Kozlov's personailty and past experiences with the sbornaya... nobody really asked or wanted him to play. You know how Krikunov is with "mumbling off" players he doesn't like such as Tverdovsky and not inviting them simply because he doesnt like him... well NOBODY likes Kozlov and more of a fuss was created by the media about Proshkin not going to the Olympics than our good old Slava. Nobody cares, nobody that follows the sbonaya wants him there for the sake of the team and our result.

3. Mogilny would look better than anyone from the RSL, including Malkin if he built a time machine and went back to 1998 when we could have used him and he refused. Or at least if he could somehow transport his knees from 1998 to his current self. Last I checked he Mogilny is playing in the AHL, and whether he deserves it or not, a top quality player is not sent down to the AHL regardless of the problem in the lockeroom. I see that you think that the RSL is crap, but take my word for it, there are plenty of forwards in the RSL that equate to 1st-2nd line quality forwards in the NHL. Also, Sushinsky is better than Malkin.

4. Again, Fedorov played well for the national team when he wasnt 37 and fossilizing. Even the Fedorov of 2002 when he was the best player for Russia at the Olympics isnt close to the Fedorov of today. He may still be a tad better than Kozlov in some respects, but Kozlov is not getting his fair share and chance in New Jersey either and is better than 8 minutes of ice time he gets. Lay off Fedorov, let the man take his arthiritis pills for two weeks without having to worry about hockey, he isnt good enough to make a difference anymore.

I agree in that I would rather have Brylin there, but instead of Zhukov more so than instead of Kozlov. However, Kozlov played [well] for the national team before, and Brylin hasnt. Kozlov also played better in Russia last year than Brylin. Kozlov is bigger than Brylin, and our forwards arent all bogatiri. In the end, its really close enough after considering the pros and cons to not matter.

 

[Sorry]

Malkin and Ovechkin will show the world why they are going to be the faces of Russian hockey for a long time.

IMO, that line plays so well that they get 2nd line time. Maxim is playing the best hockey of his career btw.

 

[benji]

Frolov - Kozlov - Korolyuk..........poor Frolov
Sushinsky - Yashin - Kharitonov..........poor Yashin

I'd prefer

Kovalev - Datsyuk - Korolyuk
Ovechkin - Yashin - Afinogenov
Kovalchuk - Kozlov - Frolov
Sushinsky - Malkin - Kharitonov

Ignorance is bliss, yes?

 

[Le Maroons]

A Russian friend of mine has just sent me the complete lineup for the opening game against Slovakia. It was announced in a newspaper called Sport Express.

Forwards :

Kovalev - Datsyuk - Kovalchuk
Sushinsky - Yashin - Kharitonov
Frolov - Kozlov - Korolyuk
Afinogenov - Malkin - Ovechkin

Defensemen :

Kasparaitis - Tyutin
Gonchar - Volchenkov
A. Markov - D. Markov
Zhukov - Vishnevsky

Kovalev, RW
Afinogenov, RW
Kovalchuk, LW
Ovechkin, LW

I've read most posts, the defence doesn't look that great imo. Being a Habs fan though, I feel A. Markov is very underated. The forward lines can look pretty good if you use right wingers at right wing and left wingers at left wing . I don't know Sushinski or Kharitonov, maybe they are awesome. I won't predict what medal they get if any, but I don't think they beat Canada.

How come when Alexei Kovalev was asked who his coach was at the Olympics, he said "I don't know, we'll see when we get there"?

Kovalchuk Datsyuk Afinogenov
Ovechkin Malkin Kovalev

 

[SoundwaveIsCharisma]

I'm personally really looking forward to the Ovechkin - Malkin - Afinogenov line, all three have a nice set of wheels, and Afinogenov usually looks really good (even when not scoring) for Russia.

This line has the potential to absolutely dominate opposition defenders in terms of pure skill, speed and smarts. Can't wait to see them play.

 

[Safir*]

Forwards :

Kovalev - Datsyuk - Kovalchuk
Sushinsky - Yashin - Kharitonov
Frolov - Kozlov - Korolyuk
Afinogenov - Malkin - Ovechkin
​

One of the best playmakers in the NHL with IMO the best goalscorer in the NHL, paired with the other Kovy. This will be a killer line. . The 2nd is really interesting. Sushinsky is one of the best players outside of the NHL. Great skater and strong with puck. Kharitonov will probally play the defensive part of that line, while Yash and Sush will circle around in the O-zone. He's a good two-way player.
I'm pretty sure that the fourth line won't play fourth minutes as these guys are simply too good. Ovechkin and Malkin already formed a line last year in Austria and played great hockey.


Defensemen :

Kasparaitis - Tyutin
Gonchar - Volchenkov
A. Markov - D. Markov
Zhukov - Vishnevsky
​

I share the feeling of some of the other posters here. These pairings are perfectly balanced with an offensive player (two-way or rushing) and a strong defensive or defensly orientated players. Kaspar and Tyutin are teammates on the Rangers and both are playing a very solid campaign in the NHL. I'm really intersted to see the second pairing in action, Gonchar should be better than Pothier (in Ottawa) so Volchenkov shouldn't be troubled to much. I'm loving the third pairing both Markov's (are they related, btw?) and if they play behind the Ovy- Malkin line.

 

[TOPGUN]

Question:

Why is Zubov not playing in the Olympics?

 

[Proffessor G DIDDY]

Zubov hardly ever plays for Russia anymore same with Mogilny. I'm not sure if they even bothered contacting those two players.

But in all in definitely a good squad, they are easily the best dark horse in the tournament. Ovechkin and Kovalchuk are the best goal scorers in the NHL, Kovalev and Datysuk are top class stick handlers. They also have i believe the two best non-NHLers in Sushinsky and Malkin. A lot of the squad played and played in the world championships.

But there big improvement can be seen on the blue line. Russia still have effective puck movers like Gonchar, A. Markov and Tyutin but guys like Danny Markov, Volchenkov and Vishnevski are awesome checkers but for the most are never caught out of position.

Their biggest worry is between the pipes Nabokov and Bryzgalov haven't been the model of consistency in the NHL but are capable of putting together 6 or so good games. Sokolov has done well for Russia but he would have never faced the quantity of quality players before.

The coaching has been decent recently and there's been a lot of consistency in terms of selection. This is probably the 1st time in a long while that Russian team has come into big tournament without much scandal. So it should be tournament for them but in order to win the gold they are have to play well as a team.

 

[shawn_kemp*]

http://turin.gazeta.ru/files/540839/hh1.jpg

Oh and Kovalev has been named captain.

 

[KRM]

No Kovalchuk - Malkin - Ovechkin?

 

[Henkka]

Why is kovalev playing LW if he's a RW and why is AO playing RW i thought he's LW?

Change the sides for the two lines. For some reason, the left Wingers are just marked to the right and right wingers to the left.

These will be the right ones.

Kovalchuk(R) - Datsyuk(L) - Kovalev(L)
Kharitonov(R) - Yashin(R) - Sushinsky(L)
Frolov(R) - Kozlov(R) - Korolyuk(L)
Ovechkin(R) - Malkin(L) - Afinogenov(L)

Russians always put the right handed wingers to the left wing and left handed wingers to the right wing. That will give them better possibilities for that quick puckmoving game.

 

[Pushkin*]

Hey c'mon guys Mogilny is done !!! Fedorov is way too old too !!! Too bad Bure got injured in the warn up win vs. usa for 1996 World Cup because that was the only time Russia had Bure-Fedorov-Mogilny + Zubov all on the team and in their prime. Mogilny and Zubov certainly would have helped in the Gold Medal game in 1998 also !!! I Agree Yashin should be playing with Frolov and Korolyuk to have three "first" lines and then you have Khari-Kozlov-Suchinski has a real 4th checking line. Don't forget every line doesn't have to score 2-3 goals a game ! If the first two lines are producing and the Yashin line scores one crucial goal in a tough game then the 4th line is irrelavant...if they play sound defense. Sure the 4th line could be better ( Kozlov-Brylin-Morozov)... but now you have a line wich could be playing a role like the 4th line with Canada will do and more importantly all those guys "wanted" to play for Russia. The defense is quite impressive, just too bad Zubov refused he is the best defenseman in the nhl this year. And stop talking abou RSL players when you don't know them. Czech had many players from their league in 1998 !!! They did their job and the Jagr and Hejduk line did the scoring, defense was solid and goalie was tremendous. We have somewhat the samething: more power on offense- potentially surprinsing defense but the goalie ?

 

[Ovechkin_mvp]

Who says Mogilny is done?

For all I know, they had some internal issues in NJ, Malakhov was basically forced to retire and Mogilny sent to the minors to allow Elias come back.

http://go.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=domesticNews&storyID=11037184&src=rss/domesticNews

Please read, what Brylin had to say about it:

"I don't think it's normal that such a great player like Malahov is forced to quit hockey," Brylin was quoted as saying by Russian daily Sport-Express.

"The Mogilny case made even less sense. I have no doubt that Mogilny could still play at the highest level but (Lamoriello) made a strong-willed decision to send him to the American Hockey League, the level of which is not comparable to the player's ability," Brylin said.

 

[Ovechkin_mvp]

As for S. Fedorov, yes, he had a bad start, but:

8 points in last 10 games

2005-06 45 6 21 27 -4

Not a great season, but he would be of a great value for the Russian team.
He's still a superb two-way center.

I mean, Kozlov,
He's horrible.

 

[417]

the other day I was comparing this roster with the 98 and 2002 squads. and my overall impression is that this team has considerably improved on defense with no less than 4-5 defensive specialists (Volchenkov, Vish, Kasper, Zhukov and to some extent A. Markov). offense has also gained a lot of speed, youth and explosiveness.

the only real question : the goaltending ... but at the same time I recall them having Shtalenkov in 98, who was a pretty average NHL backup.

Fuuny...because Andrei Markov is Russia's best defensman in this roster, offensively (well maybe Gonchar is better at this point) or defensively...

It really irks me when people label him as an offensive specialist only, when really his defensive game is ahead of his offensive game at this point in his career. I really think this tournament will be his coming out party. Anybody who actually watches Markov play on an even semi regular basis knows that Markov may not be as physical as Volchenkov, Kasper, D.Markov or Tyutin...but he's better defensively than any of them.

I can't wait to watch him on the PP with all that talent

 

[shawn_kemp*]

Anybody who actually watches Markov play on an even semi regular basis knows that Markov may not be as physical as Volchenkov, Kasper, D.Markov or Tyutin...but he's better defensively than any of them.

I didn't say otherwise. I just meant that the other 4 were exclusively denfesive players, while Andrei Markov is a universal defenseman. IMO he's Russia's top d-man. And I do watch the Habs very often.

 

[417]

I didn't say otherwise. I just meant that the other 4 were exclusively denfesive players, while Andrei Markov is a universal defenseman. IMO he's Russia's top d-man. And I do watch the Habs very often.

My bad...I was under the impression you meant A.Markov wasn't as good defensively as the others you mentionned...my mistake...

 

[Ovechkin_mvp]

I can proudly say that I was honoured to meet Andrei back in 2003.(in Mtl)
He used to go out with a pretty Russian girl (or mutual friend).

Anyways, he's a great guy, does not show off like some other hockey stars..... I am happy he's right there, leading the national team to a medal.

 

[417]

I can proudly say that I was honoured to meet Andrei back in 2003.(in Mtl)He used to go out with a pretty Russian girl (or mutual friend).

Anyways, he's a great guy, does not show off like some other hockey stars..... I am happy he's right there, leading the national team to a medal.

You've become my new hero...

 

[The Mars Volchenkov]

I must say I was hoping Volchenkov would be paired with Markov as they would be the top pairing on the team, but Anton has to cover up for Gonchar now, which is understandable because they need someone like that to cover him.

 

[Pushkin*]

I Know Mogilny is still NHL material...it would have been nice to see him back with Gomez and Brylin but, what I'm saying is he wouldn't play on team Russia best lines...So what's the point of bringing him to play on a 4th line? Also he hasn't played for Russia since 1996. I Love this player but there's no sense in having him on that team. Fedorov is good with Zherdev and Nash yes but would he be playing on the top 2-3lines? I agree he is 10000 times better than Kozlov, I would have liked him on that 4th line but remember Anna? Who's the team general manager now!!! My only grudge is Viktor Kozlov but, can we concentrate on who we have now on the team? It's not like in 1998 when Mogilny and Zubov didn't played in their prime. Now we have Datsyuk and Kovalchuk at the right time of their careers so it's ok. Not perfect No Zubov and Viktor in but the rest is ok. Too abd for Khabibulin though. Still remember it's not 4/7 playoffs it's one game and if the top guns score goals and our goalie is hot anything can happen!!!

 

[who_me?]

Question:

Why is Zubov not playing in the Olympics?

Zubov refused to play in the last Olympics for Russia too. Fetisov mentioned once that Zubov had issues with the Russian hockey federation or something, but he became a US citizen a while back and just doesn't seem to want to play for Russia anymore. I think that I do recall him saying that he would rather play for Team USA, but I'm not certain.

 

[helicecopter]

I was under the impression that Malkin was the best player not in the NHL.

No, Su is. No point to compare Su with an AHLer - this is ridiculous to anybody who knows.

Also, Sushinsky is better than Malkin.

I would like to add a needed 'IN YOUR OPINION’ specification if you don’t mind.
Personally I think Malkin at 19 is already better than Sushinsky by a fair margin.

 

[OilerOlli*]

The Ovechkin line should be the 2nd line!

 

[Pushkin*]

The line thats plays better will be the 1st line...And the 4th line on the first day might be completely different comme 1/4 finals and it's the same with the defense...