How sick will Team Russia be in 4 years?

The shear thought of just the combination of Zherdev, Kovalchuk, Ovechkin makes me drool uncontrolably. Looks like the good ol red curtain should be dominate with some development. Any thoughts on the remaining lines?

I'd be concerned about their netminders. Khabibulin is the only top Russian goalie in the NHL right now. I'm drawing a blank when thinking about the younger Russian goalies...perhaps someone else can pick up where I'm leaving off.

Bryzgalov should be a good one.

I'd be concerned about their netminders. Khabibulin is the only top Russian goalie in the NHL right now. I'm drawing a blank when thinking about the younger Russian goalies...perhaps someone else can pick up where I'm leaving off.

I would say that Nabokov has been looking pretty sexy of late

Throw Medvedev into the mix as well.

I would say that Nabokov has been looking pretty sexy of late
Nabokov can't ever play for Russia in international competition. He tried to sneak in for the 2002 games, but they ruled that because he has already competed for Kazakzstan that he is not eligible for team Russia.

Throw Medvedev into the mix as well.
Heh.. Too easy.

Barulin, Medvedev, Bryzgalov...decent, but nothing Earth-shattering there...

they have no real young physical players outside of Babchuk.. I think they'd get roughed up pretty bad by Canada or USA

They could play with an empty net and it wouldn't matter they will score score score....I suggest they paint hot-dogs on the puck and through Medvedev in net...he would never let one of those get by.

Just joking, I really hope he turns out to be a great goalie, seems to have the potential.

Unbiased Canadian

They could play with an empty net and it wouldn't matter they will score score score....I suggest they paint hot-dogs on the puck and through Medvedev in net...he would never let one of those get by.

Just joking, I really hope he turns out to be a great goalie, seems to have the potential.

Unbiased Canadian


that was the plan in 2002. Just score score score. Except you know what happened? They couldn't score.



Yeah zherdev, ovechkin and kovalchuk could all be in teh top 10 in scoring in the NHL in a few years. BUt you don't win with offense. You win with defense. And like kmad said russia has a horrendous shortage of good young physical defensemen.


and goaltending? whoaaa. khabby is already up there. Who do we got besides him? That bryzgalov guy in teh anaheim system but he could still turn out to be a bust you never know.

Team Russia=New York Rangers of most of the past decade. Look where "all offense", no defense, and erratic goaltending got the Blueshirts..........

What about Danny Markov and Anton Volchenkov?? Aren't they physical enough??

What about Danny Markov and Anton Volchenkov?? Aren't they physical enough??

Yeah, but where are they on the NHL depth charts? 4th or 5th. When Fetisov is the standard by which Russian D-men are compared to, they are found to be lacking.

Think of how good Canada will be too though in 5 years with Heatley, Nash, Thornton, Lecalvier, they also have very solid goaltending in Luongo but I think the wildcard could be Crosby, he could be the one centering Heatley and Nash.

Danny Markov is a pretty good dman, Anton Volchenkov too. But they aren't #1 defenseman at all. Maybe Markov could be a great #3 in the Olympics and Volchenkov a #5-6. I think that in 4 years, Andrei Markov will be a star in the league. He could be your #1...but I think that Team Canada will be stronger than Team Russia.

Danny Markov is a pretty good dman, Anton Volchenkov too. But they aren't #1 defenseman at all. Maybe Markov could be a great #3 in the Olympics, and Volchenkov a #5-6, but where are the other 4 defensemen?

Andre Markov

Andre Markov
Just edited my post, before I saw your reply :)

Andre Markov

Good thing is physical play isn't alowed in the international Chamionships....Can you imagine Andrey Markov laying 5 minutes on the ice every time somebody touched him? :eek:

Very good ! watch out for the bad russians :yo: :lol:

And dont forget MALKIN and Vasyunov ! and and and :banana:

they have no real young physical players outside of Babchuk.. I think they'd get roughed up pretty bad by Canada or USA
Vishnevski?

Yea and Volchenkov is a softie ha ............

Vishnevski?

Vishnevski is from my hometown (Charkov, Ukraine). I don't think he'll play for team Russia.

Vishnevski is from my hometown (Charkov, Ukraine). I don't think he'll play for team Russia.


He played and he will play .

I don't see them being any different from any other russian team.. Bure, Fedorov, Mogilny, Yashin and so on.. Its very unlikely they all turn out to be better than those guys.

Danny Markov is a pretty good dman, Anton Volchenkov too. But they aren't #1 defenseman at all. Maybe Markov could be a great #3 in the Olympics and Volchenkov a #5-6. I think that in 4 years, Andrei Markov will be a star in the league. He could be your #1...but I think that Team Canada will be stronger than Team Russia.
In 4 years, Volchenkov could be a #2 or #3. Russia has some solid young D.

Team Russia has always had spectacular players. This changes nothing.

And about Bryzgalov, I thought he was Ukrainian.

He played and he will play .


That's just wrong. Team Ukraine might actually be something if Russia didn't steal all their good players.

That's just wrong. Team Ukraine might actually be something if Russia didn't steal all their good players.


steal ? Oh please ! They want play for russia .........they want play for the better team ! Whats wrong about it ?

Nabokov can't ever play for Russia in international competition. He tried to sneak in for the 2002 games, but they ruled that because he has already competed for Kazakzstan that he is not eligible for team Russia.
Nabokov already CAN play for Russia. He had such a problems last year, but IIHF has changed the rules on hockey citizenship and allowed him to play on the World championships and Olympic games for Russia.

Team Russia has always had spectacular players. This changes nothing.

And about Bryzgalov, I thought he was Ukrainian.


Born and raised in Togliatti, Russia.

And about Bryzgalov, I thought he was Ukrainian.

he's played for Russia in the past...(World Championships, World Juniors and I think he was #3 at the Olympics)

Also worth mentioning is Frolov
and maybe Chistov can rebound as well

Vishnevski is Ukrainian but played for Russia at the World Championships and the World Juniors

Nikolai Khabibulin is only 31. I see that if he's in the playoffs he can't play, but so won't these other guys if they're all in. Khabibulin can be at worst solid, for at least 7 years.

NO way in hell Zherdev plays for them, after how he left. Unless they make up (and that aint going to happen)

YOur assuming all these players are going to want to play for the Natinoal Team. With the way some of them are leaving, they dont want to play for them. Malkin and Ovechkin are probobly going to leave in the same way. (pretty much leaving the country illegaly)

I think Russia has some great young players:

Ovechkin-Yashin-Kovalchuk
Chistov-Malkin-Frolov
Semin-Taratukhin-Kvasha
Vorobiev-Svitov-Grigorenko

Other forwards - Perezhogin, Shishkanov, Mikhnov,Koltsov, Polushin, Alexeev, Evseev, Tatarinov, Chubarov, Anshakov.

Volchenkov-Grebeshkov
Kalinin-Semenov
Knyazev-Tyutin
Lyamin-Semenov

Other D-men - Kondratiev, Kaigorodov, Kiril Koltsov.

Goalies- Barulin, Medvedev.

That defense could turnout to be pretty good in a few years.

Alexander Perezhogin
Andrei Markov
Korneev (Defenseman for Habs)

are Russians

Also worth mentioning is Frolov
and maybe Chistov can rebound as well
Agreed... don't forget about these two. They will definitely add to the depth of the Russian Team.

GO FRO!

steal ? Oh please ! They want play for russia .........they want play for the better team ! Whats wrong about it ?

Well, for one thing it's very disrespectful.

And if these players played for their real country, they might succeed in something and that way advance the developement of youth hockey in their country. I don't really care either way, but it just seams to me that it would be better to get more competant teams out there, instead of a few good ones.

Well, for one thing it's very disrespectful.

And if these players played for their real country, they might succeed in something and that way advance the developement of youth hockey in their country. I don't really care either way, but it just seams to me that it would be better to get more competant teams out there, instead of a few good ones.

I am from Ukraine(8 years ago) and from what I read on Kiev Sokol site Ukraine doesn't have money to develop players.

These guys Vishnevsky, Tverdovsky (born in Ukraine) are probably playing for Russia because they developed and played long time over there.

Look at some of Canada's younger players:

Marleau, Heatley, Spezza, Nash, Thornton, Lecavalier, Crosby, Bouwmeester, Phaneuf, Coburn, Luongo, Fleury, etc.

Throw in St.Louis, Iginla, Doan, Smyth, Bertuzzi, Redden, and Jovo. Russia won't be dominating any time soon.

I would rather have Ovechkin,kovalckuh and Zherder over canada top .. Only aspects that russians lack is psyhological,but even these is getting better with every new generation...It the current trend goes on ,russia will again will be head to head with canada

I would rather have Ovechkin,kovalckuh and Zherder over canada top .. Only aspects that russians lack is psyhological,but even these is getting better with every new generation...It the current trend goes on ,russia will again will be head to head with canada

I wouldn't. Most top Canadian players can score and they can nail you too. Most Russian forwards can only score...and this has hurt them pretty bad imo at these kind of events. I'll take Nash, Spezza, Crosby over Ovechkin, Kovalchuk, Zherdev any day, personally.

Nabokov has to go back to Russia and play there for the next 4 years before he can qualify to play for Russia. Since he represented Kazakhstan in 1995, he has to play in Russia for 4 consecutive years before he can make the switch. However, Nabby came to North America in 1997. Unless the IIHF took his Soviet passport into consideration then I don't see it changing. Remember he lost his case in the Court Of Arbirtration of Sport just before the Olympics.

I would rather have Ovechkin,kovalckuh and Zherder over canada top .. Only aspects that russians lack is psyhological,but even these is getting better with every new generation...It the current trend goes on ,russia will again will be head to head with canada

So, you'd rather have an empty roster spot since Zherdev won't play, plus a prospect who is no better thn Crosby at this point and one electrifying, yet soft forward over the likes of Thornton, Marleau, Nash, or Iginla....

:dunno:

Did you fish that comment out of the bay just beyond the right field bleachers at Pac Ball???

The shear thought of just the combination of Zherdev, Kovalchuk, Ovechkin makes me drool uncontrolably. Looks like the good ol red curtain should be dominate with some development. Any thoughts on the remaining lines?

To bad none of htem can play defense or in goal.;)

Look at some of Canada's younger players:

Marleau, Heatley, Spezza, Nash, Thornton, Lecavalier, Crosby, Bouwmeester, Phaneuf, Coburn, Luongo, Fleury, etc.

Throw in St.Louis, Iginla, Doan, Smyth, Bertuzzi, Redden, and Jovo. Russia won't be dominating any time soon.

I agree

And so many more players to mention but I am lazy.

I hate to mention this but Canada hasn't been dominating either. Right now, you got Russia, Canada, USA, Czech Republic (thank God czechosolvakia split up or they'd be dominating hockey right now.) Hockey has progressed from the time when one country could dominate the sport and in a decade I'd say you'll have 3 or 4 other countries as part of the elite. As a Canadian it hurts to think we'll never be THE ONE HOCKEY COUNTRY but as a hockey fan it'll be great - imagine the next Lemieux could be a German or a Swiss or even a Belrussian.

Russia hasn't been dominating in any of the past 15 years, even though they've had players like:

F: Fedorov, Mogilny, P Bure, Yashin, Zhamnov
D: Gonchar, Kasparaitis, B Mironov, Zubov
G: Khabibulin

If you look at the future names, they don't look significantly stronger to me:
F: Kovalchuk, Ovechkin, Zherdev, Malkin, Frolov
D: Volchenkov, Grebeshov
G: Bryzgalov??
:dunno:

And of course we should look at the teams they're supposed to dominate:

Canada ... Crosby, Heatley, Bouwmeester and so on... no point trying to name them all, Canada will still be the strongest nation! :handclap:

Czech rep doesn't look much weaker than in the past:
F: Jagr, Hejduk, Lang, Straka
D: Hamrlik, Slegr
G: Hasek

Future:
F: Havlat, Olesz, Michalek, Hemsky, Erat
D: Krajicek, Klesla
G: Schwarz?

Finland will be a lot better than in the past
F: Selänne, Koivu, Lehtinen, Kapanen
D: Numminen, Niinimaa
G: Hurme and other struggling goalies...

Will be replaced by:
F: Ruutu, Tukonen, Koivu, O Jokinen, Joensuu
D: Pitkänen, Lepistö
G: Lehtonen :yo:

Sweden will be weaker though
F: Forsberg, Sundin, Näslund, Alfredsson, Nylander
D: Lidström, C Johansson, Norström, Öhlund
G: Salo

Look stronger than...

F: Zetterberg, Sedin, Sedin, Steen
D: L Jonsson, Bäckman, Kronwall
G: Lundqvist
:D

And USA looks horrible compared to Modano, Hull, Roenick, LeClair etc... (sorry, can't name a good future US lineup here, someone help me...) :lol

Let's not forget Slovakia who will have
Hossa, Gaborik, Nagy, Chara, Mezei... a team which for sure won't be any easier for the russians to beat than the Slovakian teams have been in the past.

You lost all credibility when you named Salo as the face of Swedish goaltending.

???
(who else would it be in the past 10 years if not Tommy Salo??)

???
(who else would it be in the past 10 years if not Tommy Salo??)



You're right, Salo is the face of Swedish goaltending over the past ten years. I misread that part of your post. Anyway, look a little harder, the future of U.S. hockey is actually pretty bright. There has been a bit of a gap between the players that rose to prominence in the early nineties and the talent just now emerging, but that is about to end. As for what "younger" players look good:


Drury
Gomez
York
Cole
Malone
Legwand
Dipietro
Miller
Esche
Parise
Liles
Komisarek
Higgins
Ballard
Mara
Leopold
Taffe
Kesler
Brown
Gleason
Montoya
Jillson
Connolly
Hainsey
Eaves
O'Sullivan
Conklin



Some are in the NHL, some are prospects, but the bottomline is things look bright for USA Hockey.

Other forwards - Perezhogin, Shishkanov, Mikhnov,Koltsov, Polushin, Alexeev, Evseev, Tatarinov, Chubarov, Anshakov.

Konstantin Koltsov is from Belarus.

Think of how good Canada will be too though in 5 years with Heatley, Nash, Thornton, Lecalvier, they also have very solid goaltending in Luongo but I think the wildcard could be Crosby, he could be the one centering Heatley and Nash. Fleury as co-starter of course. :)

Konstantin Koltsov is from Belarus. Indeed.

Nabokov has to go back to Russia and play there for the next 4 years before he can qualify to play for Russia. Since he represented Kazakhstan in 1995, he has to play in Russia for 4 consecutive years before he can make the switch. However, Nabby came to North America in 1997. Unless the IIHF took his Soviet passport into consideration then I don't see it changing. Remember he lost his case in the Court Of Arbirtration of Sport just before the Olympics.
Thanks, you know it better than anybody else - IIHF, Russian Hockey Federation and personally Nabokov...
You'll get it if you can read Russian , if not - internet translator could help you.
IIHF: Nabokov is eligible to play for Russia (http://hockeynews.nm.ru/news/1838.htm)
11.12.2003. Nabokov will be named among the untouchable players for the upcoming World Cup. (http://www.news-sports.ru/hock/archiv.shtml?n=1068602712)

I would rather have Ovechkin,kovalckuh and Zherder over canada top .. Only aspects that russians lack is psyhological,but even these is getting better with every new generation...It the current trend goes on ,russia will again will be head to head with canada
Of course you rather have Ovechkin, Kovalchuk and Zherdev over Canada's top; you're Russian! It is obviously a biased choice like I prefer Canada's Spezza, Nash and Crosby. It's natural that we tend to prefer our own. The bottom line is both Russia and Canada have a bright future.

You're right, Salo is the face of Swedish goaltending over the past ten years. I misread that part of your post. Anyway, look a little harder, the future of U.S. hockey is actually pretty bright. There has been a bit of a gap between the players that rose to prominence in the early nineties and the talent just now emerging, but that is about to end. As for what "younger" players look good:


Drury
Gomez
York
Cole
Malone
Legwand
Dipietro
Miller
Esche
Parise
Liles
Komisarek
Higgins
Ballard
Mara
Leopold
Taffe
Kesler
Brown
Gleason
Montoya
Jillson
Connolly
Hainsey
Eaves
O'Sullivan
Conklin



Some are in the NHL, some are prospects, but the bottomline is things look bright for USA Hockey.

I'm sorry, but the players you have listed above don't scare me too much. The difference between your list and the Hull, Modano, Roenick, Tkachuk and Weight is big.

Sweden[/B] will be weaker though
F: Forsberg, Sundin, Näslund, Alfredsson, Nylander
D: Lidström, C Johansson, Norström, Öhlund
G: Salo

Look stronger than...

F: Zetterberg, Sedin, Sedin, Steen
D: L Jonsson, Bäckman, Kronwall
G: Lundqvist
:D

Indeed, Sweden will probably have the biggest decline. It already shows at the WJC in recent years; their results have been very disapointing.

Of course you rather have Ovechkin, Kovalchuk and Zherdev over Canada's top; you're Russian! It is obviously a biased choice like I prefer Canada's Spezza, Nash and Crosby. It's natural that we tend to prefer our own. The bottom line is both Russia and Canada have a bright future.

i am not russian...I think am not biased if i prefer top pick in 2001 ,top pick in 2004 and number 3 pick in 2003 wow...They are just more special players in my opinion...Nash does nothing for me,but i agree i am looking forward how the crosby will turn out.Heatley is also very good,i hope he gets back

Read in an interview that Zherdev hopes to play for Russia soon again........

Nabokov has to go back to Russia and play there for the next 4 years before he can qualify to play for Russia. Since he represented Kazakhstan in 1995, he has to play in Russia for 4 consecutive years before he can make the switch. However, Nabby came to North America in 1997. Unless the IIHF took his Soviet passport into consideration then I don't see it changing. Remember he lost his case in the Court Of Arbirtration of Sport just before the Olympics.

Nabokov played in the Russian League for about 4-5 years.

Konstantin Koltsov is from Belarus.

Maybe he meant Kirill Koltsov ;) good Russian offensive defenseman.

I'm sorry, but the players you have listed above don't scare me too much. The difference between your list and the Hull, Modano, Roenick, Tkachuk and Weight is big.


I would agree that the current crop of American players between the ages of say 24-30 isn't the greatest, but the generation of players after that, 23 and under, look to be quite impressive. I think the best of USA hockey is yet to come.

I think (long term)the United States has the brightest future.

Considering the way the game has taken off at the youth level as of late, combined with the U.S.' sheer population, I wouldn't be suprised if they were the sole dominant power within 20-30 years.

i am not russian...I think am not biased if i prefer top pick in 2001 ,top pick in 2004 and number 3 pick in 2003 wow...They are just more special players in my opinion...Nash does nothing for me,but i agree i am looking forward how the crosby will turn out.Heatley is also very good,i hope he gets back
Oh, sorry for my mistake then. You are a huge Russian fan though right? May I ask where are you from? Anyway, of all the young players right now, my favorite is Ilya Kovalchuk. I like him more than Ovechkin. The reason is that I like his attitude. Very competitive and I think he's genuine. With Ovechkin, I'm not sure if he's just giving a face to the media and audience. Nash I admit is not as complete as I would like him to be, but Canada needs a good goal scorer, whether the play is beautiful or not. I am very happy that Jay Bowmeester is Canadian. He is tall, yet extremly fast and fluid. Canada is in need for this type of defensemen if you ask me. He's way up there on my list along with Kovalchuk. I also think that Jason Spezza is very good. It's somewhat unfortunate that he's on such a good team that he can be left out at times. Then, there's Sidney Crosby. I too am looking forward to how he will turn out.

A few years ago, I admit that I was disapointed and worried about Canada's future. Many players were good, but nothing special about them until these past few years where we have been blessed with many rare talents. I think things comes in phases. Sweden had Sundin, Forsberg, Naslund, etc. during the '90s, but now their youngsters don't look as impressive. American hockey in general is in fact improving, but I don't think their young crop of upcoming players are as good as the Modano, Roenick and Tkachuk. There has been a whole decade of drought at USA Hockey. Just look at the rosters of Team USA since the World Cup. Their core players haven't changed much. I'm not too sure, but it seems that Team USA is getting older and older. Look at Canada's rosters and you see many changes from tournament to tournament. It shows lots of depth. I'm not too sure of the other countries, but I know that Canada and Russia are in an enviable position.

I think (long term)the United States has the brightest future.

Considering the way the game has taken off at the youth level as of late, combined with the U.S.' sheer population, I wouldn't be suprised if they were the sole dominant power within 20-30 years.
I think you're right. In the long run, the United States may very well be the dominant power. It will depend on the popularity of hockey though. If the sport become more popular than NASCAR racing, then other countries should worry, but if not, then things won't change too much.

New Jersey is the future of american hockey. It is actually scary how many players within the organization are american.

Gomez, Gionta, Rafalski, Martin, Langenbrunner, Pandolfo, Hale, DeMarchi, Tallackson, Parise, Ryznar, Magowan, Massen, Clemmensen, Tarkir, Janssen, Hartsburg, Dziama, Burns, Brooks, Murphy, Hulbig and Darby. Thats at 23 americans in our organization.

well people already covered most of the stuff i was gonna say.


but one thing is - no matter what kinds of terms zherdev left on they're STILL gonna let him play on the national team.

2 reasons:

1) obvious one - they need him

2) more political one - even out of the people that were screaming, banging their shoes on the table and trying to sell their kidneys just to keep him in russia, even out of them 95% of them completely and totally understand that zherdev going to the NHL is better for him, and in some way better for the country - because he can develop best over there. ALso because it's good advertisement for the country in some way - u know Kovalchuk is #1 in the NHL in goals, in a Nike commercial, russian hockey is still dominant that's what it kind of shows.

AND, while in teh soviet days those kinds of people would try to do something retarded like try to "Punish" him over this (even though they understand the decision), those days are over. The political decisions in russia are much more reasonable. STILL crazy and f'd up but much MORE reasonable hehe

Nabokov played in the Russian League for about 4-5 years.



Maybe he meant Kirill Koltsov ;) good Russian offensive defenseman.


Slay, maybe you'll know this. Why does Nabokov where an American flag on the back of his mask? I don't think anyone else on the team does.

they have no real young physical players outside of Babchuk.. I think they'd get roughed up pretty bad by Canada or USA

Vishnevski!

You guys are seriously underrating Kalinin....he could be the backbone of the Russian defense with-in 5 years.

Add Suglobov, that guy has skill. (bias Devils fan)

And there is Pavel Datsyuk to add to the russian future star players. :banana:
He should not be forgotten! :) :yo:

i am not russian...I think am not biased if i prefer top pick in 2001 ,top pick in 2004 and number 3 pick in 2003 wow...They are just more special players in my opinion...Nash does nothing for me,but i agree i am looking forward how the crosby will turn out.Heatley is also very good,i hope he gets back

Yeah you are right. A 19 year old kid who is still growing, tied for 1st in the NHL for goal scoring on a team that doesn't score much in his 2nd season. He is a big power forward who even Blake, Foote and the bigger D-Men in the league have trouble with in front of the net. He has great hands just like the euopeans and isn't easy to move in front of the net. If you are not scared of a lineup like this then you must be very underrating Canada or your team must be whicked.

I know I would be scared to face the likes of: Thornton, Bertuzzi, Nash, Iginla

Good look moving those guys from the front of the net.

Canada is the mecca of Hockey and that is the way it is!

I'm skeptical about their D core.

You know, their D-core is still gonna be anchored by Sergei Gonchar.

You know, their D-core is still gonna be anchored by Sergei Gonchar.

I was thinking more like, deffensively. It'll be above average for sure, but I don't know how "sick" it's going to be.

SERGEI SAMSONOV. AGE 25

How a thread about the future of Team Russia got to page 5 without even mentioning Samsonov at all is baffling to say the least.

Yeah you are right. A 19 year old kid who is still growing, tied for 1st in the NHL for goal scoring on a team that doesn't score much in his 2nd season. He is a big power forward who even Blake, Foote and the bigger D-Men in the league have trouble with in front of the net. He has great hands just like the euopeans and isn't easy to move in front of the net. If you are not scared of a lineup like this then you must be very underrating Canada or your team must be whicked.

Well it is a matter of taste...if u like Shaq and other tall,big guys doing their stuff bellow basket then u must like Nash-like hockey players,strong,good reflexes,puting home the rebounds...but i rather watch datsyuk and zherdev and others any time ,so that is why i said he doesnt do nothing for me...

Good look moving those guys from the front of the net.
I agree russia lucks defencemans ,but i hope times will change

QUOTE]Canada is the mecca of Hockey and that is the way it is![/QUOTE]
Nowbody said it isnt ,i am only saying russia is making the way back ,after 1991 and all economic problems..If the economical situation in russia becomes even more stable russia will advance faster..