The difference maker?

We all know the tragic story of Alexei Cherepanov. But honestly, had he not passed away and played in the WJC, I think Russia could have easily won Gold, if not, at least make it to the Gold Medal game.

What are your thoughts as to what would have happened if he was playing.

We all know the tragic story of Alexei Cherepanov. But honestly, had he not passed away and played in the WJC, I think Russia could have easily won Gold, if not, at least make it to the Gold Medal game.

What are your thoughts as to what would have happened if he was playing.

Butterfly Effect.

Butterfly Effect.

Indeed. Epistemological problem here.

Obviously no one can say for sure what would happen, but I just thought it would be an interesting topic to discuss. Its all hypothetical

He was dominating vs the men of the KHL this year....he would have dominated the tornament and it would have been a joke.

He was dominating vs the men of the KHL this year....he would have dominated the tornament and it would have been a joke.

+1.

He was NHL ready.

Had Luke Schenn and Drew Doughty been released......Canada would have SURELY won the Gold. [Not to mention Turris and Stamkos....but..]

Right now, the "B" team in my opinion, is in Gold Medal game....Actually, this is like A- team.

Had Luke Schenn and Drew Doughty been released......Canada would have SURELY won the Gold. [Not to mention Turris and Stamkos....but..]

Right now, the "B" team in my opinion, is in Gold Medal game....Actually, this is like A- team.

That is just about as valid as me saying if Cherry were their, they would have won for sure.

You cant say those things. Its just a matter of discussion. I think that with Cherry, Russia wouldve been pushed over that hump that they kept falling back down. They were just a goal away and I think Alexei couldve done some serious damage.

Obviously no one can say for sure what would happen, but I just thought it would be an interesting topic to discuss. Its all hypothetical

I guess, I'm not very big on hypotheticals. :sarcasm:

But he would've been the best player in the tournament, better than Tavares. Not a better prospect, mind you.

That is just about as valid as me saying if Cherry were their, they would have won for sure.

You cant say those things. Its just a matter of discussion. I think that with Cherry, Russia wouldve been pushed over that hump that they kept falling back down. They were just a goal away and I think Alexei couldve done some serious damage.

Well, who knows? That was my point......We can't really say.

That is just about as valid as me saying if Cherry were their, they would have won for sure.

You cant say those things. Its just a matter of discussion. I think that with Cherry, Russia wouldve been pushed over that hump that they kept falling back down. They were just a goal away and I think Alexei couldve done some serious damage.

Perhaps if you could have parachuted him into the Canada game, but remember the Russians lost 5-0 to the Swedes. The Canada game was far and away their best and was possibly massive overachieving.

Would Canada have taken them more seriously with Cherapanov in the lineup? Would his presence have meant one of the players that stepped up to star against the Canadians was not in the "go to" role. It is more likely he would have displaced one of the top talents for icetime than one of the weaker players.

In 2005 Ovechkin played for Dynamo but was not better than the other 19 year old Juniors Getzlaf or Carter and barely outscored the 17 year old Crosby. Playing in a tougher league doesn't automatically mean you will outperform players pulled from weaker leagues, or that you will have a great 6 game tournament. Hickey came in as the Canadian captain and was possibly their worst defenceman.

In terms of "what if" the Russian team played a great game against Canada and lacking offense isn't what cost them the victory(although you have to like their chances with him in the shootout). They have a lot of scorers. Certainly he could have been the difference. The whole tournament would have been different for them and each game would have played out differently. No way to know, just as there is no way to know if he would have been the next Russian superstar in the NHL.

That is just about as valid as me saying if Cherry were their, they would have won for sure.

You cant say those things. Its just a matter of discussion. I think that with Cherry, Russia wouldve been pushed over that hump that they kept falling back down. They were just a goal away and I think Alexei couldve done some serious damage.

So what you are saying is that we cant say that for the Canadian players like Stamkos and other eligible players but you can for Cherapanov?

No difference at all

They could've won the gold without him. They were 5 seconds away from the finals and who knows what wouldve happend there..

It breaks my heart when I think of him..

Who knows, maybe he would have hurt some team chemisty and the rest of the guys let down, maybe he would have had the flu, maybe he strains a groin in the 1st period of the 1st game and leaves the team short handed.

Its exactly the same as Canada saying if Schenn and Doughty were there, or if Stamkos was there, or if Turris ................ the list goes on and on.

Another point if he had played, you think maybe Canada would have worked out a game plan to handle him, either a checking line or a dman shadowing him? That could have neutralized other offensive players from Russia.

RIP, but he was always terribly overrated. Always found him a little selfish and soft, don't think the result would have changed at all.

Another point if he had played, you think maybe Canada would have worked out a game plan to handle him, either a checking line or a dman shadowing him? That could have neutralized other offensive players from Russia.

Yes. Now that Cherepanov wasn't there, they didn't bother shutting down the others. Good point :laugh:

Yes. Now that Cherepanov wasn't there, they didn't bother shutting down the others. Good point :laugh:

Were there any other players on Russia that were worth formulating a game plan around?

As somebody else mentioned, the butterfly effect. Do you understand what that means?

Maybe if the US had some coaching and had a game plan to handle Tavares they would have beat Canada?

No difference, I think.

Russia didn't win with Ovechkin and Malkin in the line ups on previous years (granted Canada's 05 Team that knocked Ovechkin out was incredible.)

Is this version of the Russian team better overall than those previous years and only missing one piece of the puzzle? (Seriously asking, as I have my own thought but am curious on others). They seemed to fair pretty poorly overall this tournament and I'm not convinced one player would turn the table but... you never know.

Lots of teams have what if's. What if Canada had Schenn, Gillies and Bailey (guys who we thought we probably would have this year). Forget Doughty, Stamkos, Turris, Gagner and Sutter - guys who we knew we probably wouldn't have. What if Bogosian was there for the U.S.? What if the Czechs had Voracek?

You play with the cards that are dealt with you. You don't play in what if's. Teams could go nuts if they did.

To many "JUSTs" any team could play this card even canada, this solves nothing except a bunch of non productive rants, including this one. :)

In the NHL for Canada is Stamkos, Schenn, Doughty, Gillies, Turris, Gagner, Sutter, Bailey. With bascially those players and some others around them they beat the Russians 7-0-1 in that Super Series in 2007.

But I see your point. Forget the other countries omissions and stick squarely on the Russians without Cherepanov and what is the result? My opinion, there isnt much of a difference at all. The team probably doesnt overacheive to the extent that they did against Canada. They may have relied on him too much to be honest but a guy with his skill wouldnt have hurt them without a doubt. It's only one player though. I can't see it being a ton of difference.

No diffrence at all. Most teams are missing one or 2 real good guy that could make a diffrent to their team, Canada is missing 11 guys that are in the NHL right now.

No more of a difference than a Stamkos, Doughty, Schenn, Gagner, etc. would have made going the other way.