I find it odd how pessimistic Swedish posters on here can be sometimes.
Sundin has been retired for awhile and certainly not relevant for awhile. Naslund has been finished for longer than Sundin. Forsberg hasn't been seriously relevant in 3-4 years. Jonsson and Nostrom are very replacable considering the current crop. Alfredsson is also replaceable, not being on the same level as Forsberg or Naslund in their prime. Lidstrom is obviously the one player you are likely never going to replace.
Yet, we look at the current Swedish national crop. Backstrom in my mind is a top notch player. He isn't Forsberg level, but he's certainly on the same level as a Sundin long-term IMO. You havr the Sedin's, in their prime for another 3-4 years. Both are Top 10 players in the world. These 3 guys are world class Forwards. Eriksson promises to be an exceedingly good player for many years. He won't be on the same level as the Golden generation, but he's a player any national team would love to have. Zetterberg still has a few years left too.
World Junior wise, Sweden has won 3 medals in the last 4 years. I'd say arguably, year on year, they have had the best talent assembled outside Canada. They've under-performed at this event. Considering Sweden will always match up stronger to Canada in the Senior events than they do at Junior because of the sheer numbers, the situation looks good. Coming through are a number of world class D prospects. Larsson, Rundblad, Erixon, Hedman, Karlsson, Ekholm, Klefbom, Brodin plus many other potential NHL players at this position. Of course not all will succeed, but i'd be icnredibly suprised if 2-3 of these don't become world class players. Add these to Edler, Enstrom and the other competent Swedish D in their prime now, and the backend will be immensely talented capable of outplaying Canada during any given day.
The Goalies being developed now in Sweden are also world class. Lundqvist aside, prospects like Markstrom, Lindback, Nilsson and Enroth + others is plenty depth.
The Forwards aren't perhaps as strong as you like. But Backstrom + Sedin's give you 3 world class players. Prospects like Tedenby, Pajaarvi, Josefson, Omark, Landeskog, Lander, Silfverberg, Jarnkrok, Larsson, Forsberg, Collberg, Backlund, Zibanejad, Karlsson plus many more mean Sweden is going to produce high level players. Sure, it won't be as high end as Russia or Canada, but there are plently of potential Forwards capable of competing against those two nations.
The depth of talent Sweden is producing plus already existing high end players mean they are capable of winning gold at any event at any given time. If they faced Canada at an olympic or World championship event in the next 10+ years you'd never call it a shock if Sweden won.
That's an embarrassing post.
