I think the world championships are great to watch no matter who's playing, the games are very entertaining and you usually don't se a bad game. So I don't think the WC tournament will be a letdown (the teams will play great hockey), I can't wait for it to start.
My best hockeygame memories are from international contests....and well so are my worst as I am a Finn you probably know what I am talking about, atleast if you are a Swede.
And then some stuff off topic....
Canada looks strong, their success will depend on how well their "cold" players will adapt to the game after a long break. Russia's success depends on how well they will play as a team, they are so talented that they'll probably get a medal even if the team doesn't work as a unit. Sweden, hell I think Sweden will compete for the gold, for once I think they have a really hungry team and a GREAT netminder, the team in some ways remind me of the team in the '94 Olympics in Lillehammer. Finland no clue, I don't know why but the team always lacks goalscoring talent and still the best scorers in the SM-Liiga are always left out, positions 3-4 are possible (I might even be a little optimistic but the finnish "sisu" might carry us). The Czechs are going for the gold, they have put together a great team and all the players have competed this season. The US and Slovakia are questionmarks for me.