Pre-Game Talk: 2014 Sochi Thread- General Thread

[YMCMBYOLO]

Welcome to the 2014 Olympics- LONG Post

Sochi, Russia

Venue |Sport |
Alder Arena | Speed Skating |

|
Ice Cube Curling Centre | Curling |

|
Shayba Arena | Ice Hockey |

|
Bolshoi Ice Dome | Ice Hockey |

| 6-0 Sweden
Iceberg Skating Palace | Skating |

| 2-1 Sweden
Fisht Olympic Stadium | Ceremonies |

|
RusSki Gorki Jumping Centre | Ski Jumping |

|
Rosa Khutor Extreme Park | Snowboarding/Skiing |

Laura Cross-Country Ski & Biathlon Centre | Cross-country skiing and Biathlon |

Rosa Khutor Alpine Centre | Alpine skiing |

Sanki Sliding Centre | All Sled Activites |

Medal Table

Hockey Rosters

Austria

Goaltenders: Bernhard Starkbaum, Rene Swette, Fabian Weinhandl.

Defence: Mario Altmann, Florian Iberer, Andre Lakos, Robert Lukas, Thomas Pock, Matthias Trattnig, Stefan Ulmer, Gerhard Unterluggauer.

Forwards: Michael Grabner, Raphael Herburger, Thomas Hundertpfund, Matthias Iberer, Thomas Koch, Andreas Kristler, Manuel Latusa, Brian Lebler, Daniel Oberkofler, Michael Raffl, Thomas Raffl, Oliver Setzinger, Thomas Vanek, Daniel Welser.

Canada

Forwards (14): Jamie Benn, Patrice Bergeron, Jeff Carter, Sidney Crosby, Matt Duchene, Ryan Getzlaf, Chris Kunitz, Patrick Marleau, Rick Nash, Corey Perry, Patrick Sharp, Steven Stamkos, John Tavares, Jonathan Toews

Defense (8): Jay Bouwmeester, Drew Doughty, Dan Hamhuis, Duncan Keith, Alex Pietrangelo, P.K. Subban, Marc-Edouard Vlasic, Shea Weber

Goalies (3): Roberto Luongo, Carey Price, Mike Smith

Czech Republic

Goalies: Ondrej Pavelec, Alexander Salak, Jakub Kovar

Defense: Michal Barinka, Michal Rozsival, Radko Gudas, Tomas Kaberle, Lukas Krajicek, Zbynek Michalek, Ladislav Smid, Marek Zidlicky

Forward: Roman Cervenka, Patrik Elias, Michael Frolik, Martin Hanzal, Ales Hemsky, Jaromir Jagr, David Krejci, Milan Michalek, Petr Nedved, Jiri Novotny, Ondrej Palat, Tomas Plekanec, Vladimir Sobotka, Jakub Voracek.

Finland

Goaltenders: Kari Lehtonen, Antti Niemi, Tuukka Rask

Defensemen: Lasse Kukkonen, Juuso Hietanen, Sami Lepistö, Olli Maatta, Sami Salo, Kimmo Timonen, Ossi Väänänen, Sami Vatanen

Forwards: Juhamatti Aaltonen, Aleksander Barkov, Valtteri Filppula, Mikael Granlund, Jussi Jokinen, Olli Jokinen, Mikko Koivu, Leo Komarov, Petri Kontiola, Lauri Korpikoski, Jori Lehterä, Antti Pihlström, Tuomo Ruutu, Teemu Selänne

Latvia

Goaltenders: Luka Gracnar, Andrej Hocevar, Robert Kristan.
Goaltenders: Kristers Gudlevskis, Edgars Masalskis, Ervins Mustukovs.

Defence: Oskars Bartulis, Ralfs Freibergs, Arturs Kulda, Sandis Ozolinsh, Georgijs Pujacs, Krisjanis Redlihs, Arvids Rekis, Kristaps Sotnieks.

Forwards: Armands Berzins, Martins Cipulis, Lauris Darzins, Kaspars Daugavins, Zemgus Girgensons, Miks Indrasis, Koba Jass, Martins Karsums, Ronalds Kenins, Vitalijs Pavlovs, Mikelis Redlihs, Janis Sprukts, Juris Stals, Herberts Vasiljevs.

Norway

Goaltenders: Lars Haugen, Lars Volden, Steffen Soberg.

Defence: Alexander Bonsaksen, Jonas Holos, Henrik Solberg, Daniel Sorvik, Ole-Kristian Tollefsen, Mats Trygg, Henrik Odegaard.

Forwards: Morten Ask, Anders Bastiansen, Robin Dahlstrom, Kristian Forsberg, Mads Hansen, Marius Holtet, Sondre Olden, Ken Andre Olimb, Mathis Olimb, Mats Rosseli Olsen, Niklas Roest, Martin Roymark, Per-Age Skroder, Patrick Thoresen, Mats Zuccarello.

Russia

Goalkeepers: Sergei Bobrovsky, Semyon Varlamov, Alexander Yeryomenko.

Defenders: Anton Belov, Alexei Emelin, Andrei Markov, Evgeny Medvedev, Nikita Nikitin, Ilya Nikulin, Fedor Tyutin, Slava Voynov.

Forwards: Artem Anisimov, Pavel Datsyuk, Denis Kokarev, Ilya Kovalchuk, Nikolai Kulemin, Evgeni Malkin, Valeri Nichushkin, Alex Ovechkin, Alexander Popov, Alexander Radulov, Sergei Soin, Vladimir Tarasenko, Alexei Tereshenko, Viktor Tikhonov.

Slovakia

Goaltenders: Peter Budaj, Jaroslav Halak, Jan Laco

Defensemen: Ivan Baranka, Dominik Granak, Zdeno Chara, Martin Marincin, Andrej Meszaros, Andrej Sekera, Michal Sersen, Lubomir Visnovsky

Forwards: Milan Bartovic, Marian Gaborik, Michal Handzus, Marcel Hossa, Marian Hossa, Tomas Jurco, Tomas Kopecky, Tomas Marcinko, Michel Miklik, Peter Ölvecky, Richard Panik, Tomas Surovy, Tomas Tatar, Tomas Zaborsky

Slovenia

Goaltenders: Luka Gracnar, Andrej Hocevar, Robert Kristan.

Defencemen: Blaz Gregorc, Sabahudin Kovacevic, Ales Kranjc, Ziga Pavlin, Klemen Pretnar, Mitja Robar, Matic Podlipnik, Andrej Tavzelj.

Forwards: Bostjan Golicic, Ziga Jeglic, Anze Kopitar, Anze Kuralt, Jan Mursak, Ales Music, Ziga Pance, Tomaz Razingar, David Rodman, Marcel Rodman, Robert Sabolic, Rok Ticar, Jan Urbas, Miha Verlic.

Sweden

Goaltenders: Jhonas Enroth, Jonas Gustavsson, Henrik Lundqvist.

Defensemen: Alexander Edler, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Jonathan Ericsson, Niklas Hjalmarsson, Erik Karlsson, Niklas Kronwall, Johnny Oduya, Henrik Tallinder.

Forwards: Daniel Alfredsson, Nicklas Backstrom, Patrik Berglund, Jimmie Ericsson, Loui Eriksson, Johan Franzen, Carl Hagelin, Marcus Kruger, Gabriel Landeskog, Daniel Sedin, Henrik Sedin, Jakob Silfverberg, Alexander Steen, Henrik Zetterberg.

Switzerland

Goalies: Reto Berra (Calgary Flames), Jonas Hiller (Anaheim Ducks), Tobias Stephan (Genève-Servette HC)

Defensemen: Severin Blindenbacher (ZSC Lions), Rafael Diaz (Montréal Canadiens), Philippe Furrer (SC Bern), Roman Josi (Nashville Predators), Mathias Seger (Captain, ZSC Lions), Mark Streit (Philadelphia Flyers), Julien Vauclair (HC Lugano), Yannick Weber (Vancouver Canucks)

Forwards: Andres Ambühl (HC Davos), Matthias Bieber (Kloten Flyers), Simon Bodenmann (Kloten Flyers), Damien Brunner (New Jersey Devils), Luca i (ZSC Lions), Ryan Gardner (SC Bern), Denis Hollenstein (Genève-Servette HC), Simon Moser (Milwaukee Admirals), Nino Niederreiter (Minnesota Wild), Martin Plüss (SC Bern), Kevin Romy (Genève-Servette HC), Reto Suri (EV Zug), Morris Trachsler (ZSC Lions), Roman Wick (ZSC Lions)

USA

Forwards (14): David Backes, Dustin Brown, Ryan Callahan, Patrick Kane, Ryan Kesler, Phil Kessel, T.J. Oshie, Max Pacioretty, Zach Parise, Joe Pavelski, Paul Stastny, Derek Stepan, James van Riemsdyk, Blake Wheeler

Defensemen (8): John Carlson, Justin Faulk, Cam Fowler, Paul Martin, Ryan McDonagh, Brooks Orpik, Kevin Shattenkirk, Ryan Suter

Goalies (3): Jimmy Howard, Ryan Miller, Jonathan Quick

Click to read more...

 

[mdexm]

I think it would be a mistake if Iggy didn't make the team, you need experience/leadership and he has 3 games under his belt with 2 golds (huge showings in the gold medal matches).

 

[CalgaryFlames1240]

Apparently Ward didn't get an invite. It was Luongo, Price, Holtby, Crawford, and Smith. The only way I see J-Bouw making the team is if he has good chem with Pietrangelo. Other than that the forward corps looks good and there are plenty of players who can slot in just as good if injuries occur. It's insane that players like Thornton and Marleau would slot in as players when they'd be probable top liners on almost every other team.

 

[herashak]

I think it would be a mistake if Iggy didn't make the team, you need experience/leadership and he has 3 games under his belt with 2 golds (huge showings in the gold medal matches).

not fast enough anymore

 

[TylerSVT*]

Why is St.Louis getting so many nods?

I get that he puts up points with Stamkos, but he is small and up there in age. Maybe its just me but i think there are better players out there than him.

 

[InfinityIggy]

Why is St.Louis getting so many nods?

I get that he puts up points with Stamkos, but he is small and up there in age. Maybe its just me but i think there are better players out there than him.

The guy just won an Art Ross and he was a PPG before Stamkos..

Not surprising that he is favored strongly.

 

[SmellOfVictory]

I think it would be a mistake if Iggy didn't make the team, you need experience/leadership and he has 3 games under his belt with 2 golds (huge showings in the gold medal matches).

It would be a mistake if he did. They have tons of guys with a decent level of Olympic experience who would be better to bring back in terms of forwards (Getzlaf, Toews, Bergeron, Perry, Thornton, Crosby).

 

[Yung Rotini]

Confirmed that Mike Babcock is back as Canada's coach.
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=678640&navid=DL|NHL|home
His staff is Ken Hitchcock (St. Louis), Lindy Ruff (Dallas) and Claude Julien (Boston).

 

[mdexm]

It would be a mistake if he did. They have tons of guys with a decent level of Olympic experience who would be better to bring back in terms of forwards (Getzlaf, Toews, Bergeron, Perry, Thornton, Crosby).

I get what you're saying, but I think Iginla has his merits with his play in Salt Lake and setting up Crosby in Vancouver. He was an 'A' in 2010 and I'm shocked that he wasn't even invited to camp. Apparently Carter, Couture and Lucic bring more to the table.

 

[JB51Hockey]

Preliminary roster.

 

[Trae]

I get what you're saying, but I think Iginla has his merits with his play in Salt Lake and setting up Crosby in Vancouver. He was an 'A' in 2010 and I'm shocked that he wasn't even invited to camp. Apparently Carter, Couture and Lucic bring more to the table.

Couture definitely does, guy is so underrated, hope he makes it. But yeah, I never expected Iginla to make the team necessarily but I am shocked he didn't get at least an invite, out of respect at least.

 

[SmellOfVictory]

Of that list, I'd say the only guy from 2010 who's not essentially a roster lock is Dan Boyle. Well, Richards might not make it as well.

 

[herashak]

the last thing canada needs to do is invite people out of respect. invite the best players, if we dont it will be 06' again

 

[Trae]

the last thing canada needs to do is invite people out of respect. invite the best players, if we dont it will be 06' again

It's not just about that though, Iginla is still better than players on that list.

 

[YMCMBYOLO]

I don't think Iginla would fair well in international ice. I also have no idea how Spezza wasn't even invited.

 

[DFF]

It's not just about that though, Iginla is still better than players on that list.

No he is not...he is not better scorer than the scorers and we all know he cant or dont want to check/ play defense

 

[YMCMBYOLO]

The USA has announced their preliminary roster:

http://www.thehockeynews.com/articl...reliminary-camp-roster-for-2014-Olympics.html


Justin Abdelkader (Detroit)
David Backes (St. Louis)
Beau Bennett (Pittsburgh)
Nick Bjugstad (Florida)
Dustin Brown (Los Angeles)
Ryan Callahan (N.Y. Rangers)
Alex Galchenyuk (Montreal)
Patrick Kane (Chicago)
Ryan Kesler (Vancouver)
Phil Kessel (Toronto)
Trevor Lewis (Los Angeles)
Kyle Okposo (N.Y. Islanders)
T.J. Oshie (St. Louis)
Max Pacioretty (Montreal)
Kyle Palmieri (Anaheim)
Zach Parise (Minnesota)
Joe Pavelski (San Jose)
Bobby Ryan (Ottawa)
Brandon Saad (Chicago)
Craig Smith (Nashville)
Paul Stastny (Colorado)
Derek Stepan (N.Y. Rangers)
James van Riemsdyk (Toronto)
Blake Wheeler (Winnipeg)

DEFENSEMEN
Zach Bogosian (Winnipeg)
Dustin Byfuglien (Winnipeg)
John Carlson (Washington)
Danny DeKeyser (Detroit)
Justin Faulk (Carolina)
Cam Fowler (Anaheim)
Jake Gardiner (Toronto)
Erik Johnson (Colorado)
Jack Johnson (Columbus)
Seth Jones (Nashville)
Nick Leddy (Chicago)
Paul Martin (Pittsburgh)
Ryan McDonagh (N.Y. Rangers)
Brooks Orpik (Pittsburgh)
Kevin Shattenkirk (St. Louis)
Ryan Suter (Minnesota)
Jacob Trouba (Winnipeg)
Keith Yandle (Phoenix)

GOALIES
Craig Anderson (Ottawa)
John Gibson (Anaheim)
Jimmy Howard (Detroit)
Ryan Miller (Buffalo)
Jonathan Quick (Los Angeles)
Cory Schneider (New Jersey)

 

[Trae]

Maybe Stempniak will impress through the season

 

[YMCMBYOLO]

^ How Craig Smith got chosen over Stempniak is beyond me..

 

[Trae]

He's extremely versatile, too, could play either wing top 9

 

[YMCMBYOLO]

Somewhat old news, but for those that do not not know, TC will not hit the ice during their preliminary camp because of insurance issues.

 

[XeO]

Tavares - Crosby - Giroux
St.Louis - Toews - Stamkos
Marchand - Bergeron - Eberle
E.Staal - Getzlaf - Perry

Weber - Doughty
Keith - Seabrook
Subban - Pietrangelo

Luongo
Crawford
Smith

 

[tyflames]

Tavares - Crosby - Giroux
St.Louis - Toews - Stamkos
Marchand - Bergeron - Eberle
E.Staal - Getzlaf - Perry

Weber - Doughty
Keith - Seabrook
Subban - Pietrangelo

Luongo
Crawford
Smith

Price easily makes it over Smith.

 

[ESH]

Tavares - Crosby - Giroux
St.Louis - Toews - Stamkos
Marchand - Bergeron - Eberle
E.Staal - Getzlaf - Perry

Weber - Doughty
Keith - Seabrook
Subban - Pietrangelo

Luongo
Crawford
Smith

Marchand and Eberle ahead of Hall? EDIT - ahead of Nash too?

And to people who think Iginla should make the team because he's older: no. He's clearly not good enough to be a top scorer on the team and he can't play defense either, so he wouldn't be useful in a checking role.

 

[Turboed]

IMO hall should be a lock. If there is one thing we want on the olympic ice its speed. Hall brings speed. I think his style of play translates better to international ice surfaces and styles of play than it does to the nhl honestly.