Right now? I would consider Sweden as the clear third and perhaps Finland before Russia at four as well. Depends how much Russias goalies would show up and make a difference in a single playoff game that particular day. But Finland clearly have better centers and a lot more depth in that position. A lot of smart centers that are capable of playing a winning game and buying their role on top of that.
I honestly believe that the Czechs with a growing D-core and Dostal in the net will be closing the gap to Russia and Finland in a couple of years, perhaps even Sweden.
Those Jiriceks, Svozils with Kulich, Sapovaliv (if his injury didn't destroy him), Sale, Benak, Dostal together with Necas, Pastrnak, Hronek, Zacha.
And let's not forget both Czechs and Finland have a lot to play for when playing against Russia.
Michkov can become crazy good but if he's a winger, will he be any better than a prime Ovechkin, Kucherov or Panarin? Because as mentioned. Malkin is not prime Malkin anymore and Kuznetsov (one of the biggest prospects I've witnessed, still remember his WJC's) aren't or hasn't become the leader that I expected.
And yeah, Russia has easily the best goalies but then again, only one can be on the ice at once and both Sweden, Finland and the US have one good goalie at the very least.
