Olympics: National teams in 2014 without NHL players

[Mathradio]

Many of the Russian KHL stars are also at the end of their careers, or way past prime, even more so in 2014.

But if the Russian, Czech and Finnish olympic teams without NHL players would be considered their Team B or C, the Swedish team would be more like Team E, considering how many players that are projected to go overseas in the next couple of years to add up with the big bunch we already have. Of course for Canada and USA, the alphabet wouldn't be enough, and Slovakia would be a complete non-factor.

It wouldn't be an intriguing tournament at all, considering the World Champs field better teams and is played every year. A little more prestigous trophy but that's it.

The difference between the best Canadian players outside the NHL and the ones in it would make a NHLer-free Team Canada a team C/D (maybe E like Sweden) or so. The U.S. will be much harder hit than Canada. Russia will be the clear-cut favorite but Finland, Czech Republic and maybe Canada or Sweden will be able to be in contention for medals. A Canada-Russia final is still possible.