The Olympic Field

bbruins37 writes "We all know that Canada is one of the favourites to win in Vancouver but what about the other teams? For a while now there has been the “Group of 7” that have a legitimate shot at gold: Canada, Czech Republic, Finland, Russia, Slovakia, Sweden, and the U.S.A.

Canada: We all know...
Ranks: Offense –2nd Defence – 1 Goalies – 1 Overall – 1st

Czech Republic
Forwards: This is a pretty deep group headlined by Jaromir Jagr, who is still one of the better players in the world. Along with Jagr, you have the rejuvenated Patrick Elias, the ever dangerous Martin Havlat, Ales Hemsky and Milan Hejduk for other starpower. You also have young talent like David Krejci, Jiri Hudler, Martin Erat, Michael Frolik, Milan Michalek, Martin Hanzal, Vladimir Sobotka, Jiri Tlusty and Petr Prucha. And then you have the solid talent of Robert Lang, Peter Sykora, Ales Kotalik, Vaclav Prospal and Tomas Plekanec.

Defense: This group is nothing to laugh at headlined by Tomas Kaberle. Along with Kaberle you have brother Frantisek, Pavel Kubina, Ladislav Smid, Roman Hamrlik, Tomas Fleischmann, Filip Kuba, and Marek Zidlicky to form a solid core.

Goaltending: Tomas Vokoun is one of the best in the game. Ondrej Pavalec has potential too.
Ranks: O – 3 D – 4 G – 5 Overall – 5th

Finland
Forwards: They aren’t the deepest group but are headlined by Olli and Jussi Jokinen, Teemu Selanne, Saku and Mikko Koivu, Jere Lehtinen, Niklas Hagman, Valterri Filpulla, Tuomo Ruutu.
Defense: Again, not too deep but are headlined by Joni Pitkanen, Sami Salo and Kimmo Timonen.
Goaltending: This has always been the Finns real strength withNiklas Backstrom, Mikka Kipprusoff, Tuukka Rask, Pekke Rinne, and Vesa Toskala.
Ranks: O – 6 D – 7 G – 2 Overall – 6th

Russia: Basically their offense is ridiculous. Alexander Ovechkin, Alexander Semin, Ilya Kovalchuk, Pavel Datsyuk, Evgeni Malkin, Alexander Frolov, Sergei Fedorov, Alexander Radulov, Sergei Samsonov, and Enver Lisin.

Defense: This group is offensive minded as well with Sergei Gonchar, Andrei Markov, Sergei Zubov, Ilya Zubov, and Alexei Zhitnik. They have Anton Volhenkov as their main defensive stalwart.
Goaltending: Has been known as an Achilles Heel for the Russians but it looks pretty solid with Evgeni Nabokov, Nikolai Khabiboulin, Simeon Varlamov, and Ilya Bryzgalov.
Ranks: O – 1 D – 5 G – 4 Overall – 3rd

Slovakia
Forwards: Big time playmakers like Marian Gaborik, and Marian Hossa headline this group while they get some solid support from Pavol Demitra, Marek Svatos, Michal Handzus, Tomas Kopecky, Ladislav Nagy, Miroslav Satan, and Richard Zednik.
Defence: They have one of if not the best in the world in Zdeno Chara and have Milan Jurcina, Andrej Sekera, and Boris Valabik to help.
Goaltending: Huge weakness. Their best is Peter Budaj, and they have Jaroslav Halak to help.
Ranks: O – 7 D – 6 G – 7 Overall – 7th

Sweden
Offense: Huge talent on board here with Henrik Zetterberg, Johan Franzen , Daniel and Henrik Sedin, Mats Sundin, Daniel Alfredsson, Niklas Backstrom. Other talent includes Tomas Holmstrom, and Michael Nylander, Mikael Samuelsson, and P.J.Axelsson.
Defense: We all know about Niklas Lidstrom and Niklas Kronwall but how about Anton Stralman, Johnny Oduya, Niklas Hjalmarsson, Christian Backman, Alexander Edler, and Henrick Tallinder for depth? Oh and Victor Hedman
Goaltending: You really don’t need anyone else when you have Henrik Lundqvist, but the Swedes have Jonas Hiller and Jonas Gustavsson.
Ranks: O – 4 D – 2 G – 4 Overall – 2nd

U.S.A.
Forwards: A plethora of young talent in Zach Parise, Patrick Kane, Phil Kessel, Blake Wheeler, Paul Stastny, Ryan Kesler,Dustin Brown, David Booth, Dan Fritsche, david Steckel, Patrick O’sullivan, Joe pavelski, Brandon Dubinsky. Add in veterans Brian Gionta, Jamie Langenbrunner, Chad LaRose, Erik Cole, Bill Guerin, Ryan Malone, Scott Gomez, Tim Connolly and Chris Drury and that is the definition of depth.
Defense: Not a bad group at all with Brian rafalski, Mike Komisarek, Paul Martin, Tom Poti, John-Michael Liles, Brooks Orpik, Hal Gill, Rob Scuderi and younger players like Matt Lashoff, Mark Stuart, Jack Johnson, and Brian Lee.
Goaltending: This is where the States shine: Tim Thomas, Rick DiPietro, and Ryan Miller are all some of the best in the game. And then there’s still guys like Scott Clemensson, Ty Conklin and Corey Scnheider.
Ranks: O – 5 D – 3 G – 3 Overall – 4th

Expect any of the top 5 to take a shot at Gold in 2010."