Sweden vs Russia

[MrOT]

Which roster is currently better?

Sweden:

Nylander - Pettersson - Zibanejad
Forsberg - Bäckström - Landeskog
Rakell - W. Karlsson - E. Lindholm
Nyqvist - Backlund - Silfverberg

Hedman - Karlsson
OEL - Klingberg
Ekholm - Dahlin

Russia:

Panarin - Malkin - Kucherov
Ovechkin - Kuznetsov - Svechnikov
Gusev - Namestnikov - Dadonov
Kovalchuk - Barbashev - Radulov

Orlov - Provorov
Sergachev - Zaitsev
Gavrikov - Kulikov

Click to read more...

 

[Lambo]

The big swedish strengh is thier depth and very balanced roster(inc. probably the best D in world). Their major weakness is the peak in OF. This is however the big strengh of Russia the high level player in OF. The rest is unbalanced(particulary D)!

I vote Sweden

 

[CherryToke]

Sweden but I would have Rakell on the top line with EP and Zibby

 

[MrOT]

Looks like it's a new NA era for national teams coming up as both Sweden and Russia have regressed since the last best on best tourney. Finland is on their way forward however but not fast enough. Still lacks depth and elite defense. Right now it's:
1. Canada
2. USA
3. Sweden
4. Russia
5. Finland
6. Czech Republic
7/8. Switzerland, Slovakia
9. Germany
10. Denmark

 

[Northern Avs Fan]

Sweden is going to have a nasty defence at the next olympics. Dahlin should be ready for prime-time and Hedman will still be a force. Russia is really talented, but their defence lacks star power and depth.

 

[MrOT]

Sweden is going to have a nasty defence at the next olympics. Dahlin should be ready for prime-time and Hedman will still be a force. Russia is really talented, but their defence lacks star power and depth.

Would love to see a pre tournament next World Cup with Switzerland, Slovakia, Germany and Denmark fighting for 2 spots instead of gimmick teams. Would also build up more excitement around the tournament, that you should feel honored to be there, that it means something. Let's also hope NHL players will be released for the next Olympics.

Imagine for example if Draisaitl would take the Germans all the way from pre tourney to an unexpected best of 3 final vs USA with all the Oilers fans cheering for Germany. That would be awesome.

 

[Lambo]

Looks like it's a new NA era for national teams coming up as both Sweden and Russia have regressed since the last best on best tourney. Finland is on their way forward however but not fast enough. Still lacks depth and elite defense. Right now it's:
1. Canada
2. USA
3. Sweden
4. Russia
5. Finland
6. Czech Republic
7/8. Switzerland, Slovakia
9. Germany
10. Denmark

But the typical kind of hockeyplay(incl. top coaching) makes Finland as a dangerous opponent for NA.

 

[Gavy]

Sweden but I would have Rakell on the top line with EP and Zibby

Why would you want Nylander to get less ice time? Guy was Swedens best player last time and Rakell is not a guy who is going to replace Nylander lol

 

[Signupnow]

Looks like it's a new NA era for national teams coming up as both Sweden and Russia have regressed since the last best on best tourney. Finland is on their way forward however but not fast enough. Still lacks depth and elite defense. Right now it's:
1. Canada
2. USA
3. Sweden
4. Russia
5. Finland
6. Czech Republic
7/8. Switzerland, Slovakia
9. Germany
10. Denmark

I don't know how one can rank a team who never wins anything as number 2? Most of you people in here was not even born when they won a gold last time. Jacks and Mathews mothers was still kids.

One cannot rationalise having USA as number 2 when there is such a loser culture in the team. They are the England of ice hockey looks decent on papper but never wins.

 

[Ben White]

That Russian top line though...

Overall it’s Sweden though quite comfortably

But that Panarin - Malkin - Kucherov line could do so much damage especially on the power play. Need to simulate this game on NHL 20 and the how it plays out. Interesting to see Hedman/Ekholm teaming up on the pk with Backlund and Silfverberg trying to stop the Russian bombardment.

 

[CanadienShark]

Woops. Meant to vote Sweden, but can't change my vote. I misclicked.

Russia has hands down the best elite talent up front. Sweden doesn't come close. I do think Sweden has a deeper roster overall though. The defence tips the scales, imo. The gap between the Russian forwards vs Swedish forwards is smaller than the gap on defence. Goaltending is a wildcard, and both teams have guys who can steal games.

 

[Maag80]

Someone mentioned above that the Czech Republic would be sixth in the world. I have to ask here; Maybe that's right considering the depth? But, they have a lot of top talent.

 

[Regal]

Someone mentioned above that the Czech Republic would be sixth in the world. I have to ask here; Maybe that's right considering the depth? But, they have a lot of top talent.

They have some good players (Voracek, Krejci, Hertl, Kubalik, Vrana, Palat), but Pasta is the only one who would definitely make the top 6 of any of the other countries above them.

 

[MrOT]

Nylander < Panarin
Pettersson < Malkin
Zibanejad < Kucherov
Forsberg < Ovechkin
Bäckström =< Kuznetsov
Landeskog >= Svechnikov
Rakell > Gusev
W. Karlsson > Namestnikov
E. Lindholm > Dadonov
Nyqvist >= Kovalchuk (at this point)
Backlund > Barbashev
Silfverberg >= Radulov (at this point)

Hedman >> Orlov
Karlsson > Provorov
OEL > Sergachev
Klingberg > Zaitsev
Ekholm >> Gavrikov
Dahlin >> Kulikov

After Russias top 5 it's actually Sweden by an enormous margin, which erases the advantage of Russia's high end offensive talent.

 

[NyQuil]

It's funny that goalies are omitted because I think Russia has an advantage here that could offset the D discrepancy.

 

[al secord]

I think Sweden will be better than the States come Olympic time.

 

[Peat]

It's funny that goalies are omitted because I think Russia has an advantage here that could offset the D discrepancy.

Lehner's arguably been the best goalie in the NHL over the last two years. I don't see a big advantage for Russia if any.

 

[CaptnCanada]

I like Sweden here.

 

[NyQuil]

Lehner's arguably been the best goalie in the NHL over the last two years. I don't see a big advantage for Russia if any.

Very arguably.

 

[Conspiracy Theorist]

I think Sweden will be better than the States come Olympic time.

I don't think any top 5 team will be clear favorite in 2022.

 

[EdJovanovski]

You’re missing Igor Shesterkin

 

[KoozNetsOff 92]

Lehner's arguably been the best goalie in the NHL over the last two years. I don't see a big advantage for Russia if any.

Not even close to the best.

 

[KoozNetsOff 92]

Goalies are a big advantage for Russia.

Based on op though, Sweden. Russia has the better high end players but as usual the depth and D is crap (not overall but in comparison to the other big countries).

 

[Peat]

Corsica has Lehner as 4th best this season. Only one of three goalies with over 4000 minutes in the last two seasons to have a GSAA/60 of .5 or over in the last two.

If someone wants to explain what about his play hasn't matched up to this stats then I'm all ears.

 

[spiny norman]

Lopsided result.