The inclusion of former Colorado Avalanche star defenseman Sandis Ozolinsh on the roster is notable, considering he is still playing at age 41, but 20-year-old Buffalo Sabres rookie Zemgus Girgensons is the one who will lead the team in Sochi. Even though he only has four goals and ten assists through 45 games, he has impressed Buffalo and Latvia coach Ted Nolan enough to earn his spot on the international squad.
The Swiss team isn’t going to win any awards on paper, but Jonas Hiller is having a great season for the Anaheim Ducks, and countryman Mark Streit should help him out on the defensive side. Hiller has notched 23 wins in 32 starts for Anaheim and carries a .914 save percentage through the 2013-14 season. This will be his second appearance in the Olympics for Switzerland, having been on the eighth-place squad in Vancouver in 2010.
It’s a rough year for the Czech squad. Even though there are names you’ll recognize like Jaromir Jagr and Petr Nedved, they’re aging and not likely to have a major impact. Tomas Plekanec is one of the better defensive forwards out there, and could be one of the bright spots on the Czech roster. He's got 14 goals and 14 assists through 47 games this season, and he recently helped shut down Marian Hossa, Jonathan Toews and Patrick Sharp.
The Swedes are so deep on offense, with Nicklas Backstrom, the Sedin twins (Daniel and Henrik) and Henrik Zetterberg that it may not even matter if goaltender Henrik Lundqvist struggles in the net. Backstrom led Team Sweden to the quarterfinals of the 2010 Olympics with six points in four games, and will be relied upon heavily again this year.
Norway’s only NHL player to make the roster, Mats Zuccarello of the New York Rangers faces a tough road ahead as they’re matched with Canada and Finland in Group B. Zuccarello played for Norway in 2010, scoring one goal and notching two assists before his team was eliminated.
The Austrians are just happy to be back in the Games for the first time since 2002. All three of Austria’s NHL players made the roster, and Thomas Vanek of the New York Islanders is the clear headliner. It will be interesting to see how a team that hasn't played on this stage for a decade fares.
The only NHL player on the entire Slovenian roster could be in for a brutal run with Russia and the United States in the same group. Kopitar has 38 points through 47 games with the Los Angeles Kings this year, and carries a +23 rating right now.
Marian Hossa isn't just the best player on the Slovakian team, but undoubtedly one of the best in the world today. As to whether he's the best player on his NHL club, the Chicago Blackhawks? You'll have to keep going to see about that one. Still, Hossa will be the focal point of Slovakia's offense, especially with Marian Gaborik out. This will be Hossa's fourth Games, which means he has all the experience needed to lead his squad.
You know you have a good team when you can't even decide between Alex Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin for this particular title. The Washington Capitals star edges out Malkin, though, based on his league-leading scoring pace. In these Games, you likely won't be able to separate the two much, but Ovechkin will bring his highlight-reel scoring to the international stage once again.
The American roster is stacked, as you can tell by the decision to leave off players like Bobby Ryan, Kyle Okposo, and Dustin Byfuglien. Patrick Kane, however, was a leader for the silver medal team in Vancouver, and will be integral to the Americans' hopes of knocking off Canada and Russia. His remarkable 56 points through 49 games are second in the NHL this season, trailing only...
Is there any doubt here? Nothing really needs to be said about the best player on the Canadian team when he's also the best player in the entire world. Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby leads the NHL in scoring with 68 points, carries a +12 rating, and he led the Canadians to gold four years ago on home ice in Vancouver. The Canadian roster is one of the most talented on paper, and it all starts with No. 87. Crosby will almost certainly lead his squad into the medal round.
Get our content customized for you directly to your inbox!
