Is Slovakia stronger today than they where in 2014?

[Eye of Ra]

If looking only at best possible team.

Last best on best was 2014. Is Slovakias best on best team today better than their best on best team in 2014?


Today:

Juraj Slafkovsky
Adam Ruzicka
Tomas Tatar
Peter Cehlarik
Marek Hrivik
Richard Panik
Pavol Regenda
Michal Kristof
Martin Chromiak
Marian Studencic
Libor Hudacek
Milos Keleman
Marko Dano
Tomas Jurco

Martin Fehevary
Erik Cernak
Samuel Knazko
Simon Nemec
Martin Gernat
Michal Cajkovsky
Peter Ceresnak
Christian Jaros

Jaroslav Halak
Matej Tomek
Patrik Rybar

vs


2014:

Peter Budaj
Jaroslav Halak
Jan Laco

Ivan Baranka
Zdeno Chara
Milan Jurcina
Andrej Meszaros
Rene Vydareny
Martin Marincin
Andrej Sekera
Tomas Starosta

Martin Gaborik
Tomas Tatar
Richard Panik
Marian Hossa
Marcel Hossa
Michal Handzus
Peter Olvecky
Tomas Zaborsky
Tomáš Surový
Tomas Marcinko
Milan Bartovic
Tomas Kopecky
Tomas Jurco
Branko Radivojevič
Michel Mikilik

Click to read more...

 

[moropanov]

Worse on paper today propably

 

[BigBadBruins7708]

2014 by a lot

 

[bossram]

2014 is way stronger, as listed above.

Slovakia's hopes come from their recent draft classes.

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

Most of Slovakia's talent is still young.

You're also missing Dvorsky.

The main issue with Slovakia's current team would be goaltending.

 

[Hockeyholic]

No AINEC

 

[WarriorofTime]

A bit worse, but they are basically two ships passing in the night. 2014 Slovakia was extremely old and reliant on former stars nearing the end of their careers with almost nothing in terms of young talent. Slovakia probably peaked as a nation in terms of overall talent in 2002-03 and then they started to really rapidly decline after 06, and they were still reliant on a lot of players that were part of that era. Flash forward nearly 10 years and unsurprisingly, their veterans aren't too good but they have a nice group of promising youngsters to look forward to.

So snapshot in time, they are worse, but in terms of overall outlook, they have a lot more to feel positive about.

 

[SOLR]

Slafkovski, Mesar and Dvorsky need to arrive as adults for the current team to be in the same league.

 

[Czechboy]

Definitely not BUT ask in 2 years because that group may be stronger. Lots of Slovaks of interest coming up. Even Koch signed a 2 way contract.

 

[Eye of Ra]

Definitely not BUT ask in 2 years because that group may be stronger. Lots of Slovaks of interest coming up. Even Koch signed a 2 way contract.

Koch, Klok, Knot!

 

[ESH]

Chara, Gaborik, and Hossa are just so much better than anyone Slovakia has currently

 

[Eye of Ra]

Chara, Gaborik, and Hossa are just so much better than anyone Slovakia has currently

no shit sherlock. but they where old and injured

 

[ESH]

no shit sherlock. but they where old and injured

In 2014, Chara finished 2nd in Norris voting, Gaborik led the playoffs in goals, and Hossa was still one of the best defensive wingers in the game and a 30 goal scorer.

 

[StreetHawk]

Right now it’s a lot of hope. And honestly at their max ceiling the kids don’t approach the top guys from 2014.

 

[Czechboy]

Right now it’s a lot of hope. And honestly at their max ceiling the kids don’t approach the top guys from 2014.

Slaf and Nemec have very high ceilings. But I do agree... Lots of hope.

 

[Old Man Jags]

They had better players in 2014 but they were nearing their end. The current team, as others have said, has better prospects and Slovakia is fortunate to have a coach - Craig Ramsey - who has been keen and pro-active in integrating young players into the national side. The team likely has a brighter future than present; the position was the reverse in 2014.

 

[jcbio11]

Damn that 2014 team is stacked.

 

[Antiillafire]

Slovak NT was obviously way better in 2014 but I think Slovak hockey as a whole is in a better spot in 2023. Just 5 Slovaks were selected in total in the 2012,2013 and 2014 drafts combined. 6 Slovaks were taken in total in 2022 alone.