Hockey Trade Rumors

The Olympics are fast approaching and the beginning of the Men’s Tournament is less than a week away. Here is part 1 of a 3 part preview of the games. In this part, we preview Group A, excluding Canada as they will be previewed in Part 3.

Czech Republic

Goaltending

It there was one country that could challenge Canada in terms of depth and talent in nets, it’s the Czechs. In fact, it will be a very hard decision to make as to who gets the bulk of the workload in Torino. Both Dominik Hasek and Tomas Vokoun are among the best netminders in the World. Many naturally will place the legendary Hasek as the number 1 guy. He has returned to form this season helping the Sens to being one of the NHL’s best teams. After a 3 year layoff and some struggles along the way, Hasek is back being the Dominator. Based on his past history, and the fact that he is arguably the most intimidating goalie in a shootout, Hasek probably will get most of the work. But Vokoun has been nothing short of excellent for his team in Nashville. He has helped the Preds become a raw expansion team to a legitimate playoff contender. They have all season battled the Wings for tops in the division and conference. Whomever plays is going to bring A+ goaltending for the Czechs. Former NHLer Milan Hnilicka is the 3rd goalie.

Defence

The Czechs bring to Torino an experienced defence corps. Offensively the team should have no trouble breaking out of their own end with the likes of Tomas Kaberle, Marek Zidlicky, Filip Kuba and Frank Kaberle back there. Kaberle of the Leafs is among the league leaders in defence scoring. He has been a monster player on the powerplay. His passing ability, skating and puck moving skills are among the best in the NHL. He just has a bit of trouble shooting the puck as he simply never does it. But that is where a guy like Pavel Kubina or Kuba come in. They bring a different dimension offensively with their heavy shots. The elder Kaberle has been a key cog in helping the Canes be the NHL’s top team. He has been helpful in transforming the Canes from a slow, slug like team to a quick fast skating outfit. Zidlicky is a whiz at the powerplay and though small, can hold his own defensively.

Kubina, and veterans Marek Malik and Jaroslav Spacek bring size, experience and leadership to the blueline. Malik has been very good at turning the Rangers into a much better defensive team. He has been solid at that part of the game the last couple of years. Spacek has been around a while whether it be in the NHL or Europe. He can log alot of minutes, play sound defence and move the puck on offence. Kubina, if he wants to, can be dominating at both ends of the ice. The big key is if he wants to. When the Bolts won the Cup he was just that, but this year he hasnt been as big a contributor.

Opposing teams are going to have to keep their heads on a swivel as this group loves to join the rush. On the counter attack, the Czech D will often be the 4th man coming and may catch alot of teams off guard. With the big ice, their passing skills and skating ability, they will be a dangerous group to stop. They may not be the most rugged and efficient in the defensive end, but with the kind of goaltending they will get, a mistake or two wont be too demoralizing. Their goalies will allow the Dmen to take chances because they know they will make the big saves. that is a recipe for disaster for opponents.

Forwards

The Czechs are so deep that the team lost an original member named to the team and replaced him with an even better player. Rookie sensation Petr Prucha was forced out of the tourney with a knee injury, but it opened up a spot for the ever dangerous Patrik Elias who has himself returned from illness and has been one of the main reasons for the Devil’s resurgence. The Devils captain is one of many reasons to fear the Czechs. Offensively they are not that far off from Canada in terms of the type of talent they can throw out there. They will be led by Jaromir Jagr. Despite being a point per game player the last few years, teh consensus was that JJ lost it. But this year it seems he got his mojo back and is his ever dangerous self. He is healthy and hungry to win and is one of the few players in the World who can carry a team on his back.

Jagr’s two linemates with the Rangers, Martin Straka and Martin Rucinsky will likely be his linemates in Torino. Straka is like an energizer bunny never stopping his feet from moving. Rucinsky is one of the best international performers ever. The fact that they have so much chemistry together only makes it logical that this trio line up together in Italy. They are winners, leaders and will be counted on to get the team going in the right direction.

The Czechs are far from a one line team however. The likes of Elias, Robert Lang, Milan Hedjuk, David Vyborny and Vaclav Prospal give them potentially 3 lines that can light the lamp. Lang and Prospal are two of the most productive players in the NHL. Hedjuk was the NHL’s last 50 goal man and Vyborny is a crafty offensive player. Throw in skilled youngsters like Radislav Olesz, Ales Hemsky and Martin Erat and you have one of the deepest offensive teams in the tourney.

Rounding out the forward group are veterans Petr Cajanek and Jan Bulis who will likely take on the checking and penalty killing roles for the team.

The Czechs are one of the favorites to medal. Now what colour they win is anyone’s guess. Gold is a definite possibility. If JJ stays healthy, they get the goaltending they expect, and the consistency is there, then the Czechs will be celebrating in Prague like they did in 1998. There are many countries who stand in their way but it’s Canada who they have to take down if they want to win.

Finland

Goaltending

The Finns chances at a medal were dealt a huge blow when their top player Mikka Kiprusoff withdrew from the tournament. He was integral in helping the team get to the World Cup final. And of course, he has made the Flames into one of the league’s best. If you thought that was bad, it got worse when Kari Lehtonen, the future in goal for the Finns also withdrew. It left the team without it’s top 2 goalies and 2 difference makers. It has been a tough year for Finnish goalies with injuries. Vesa Toskela, Pasi Nurminen, Jani Hurme, Kiprusoff, Lehtonen and Hannu Toivonen have all been hurt at some point this year and in fact are still hurt in some cases.

Instead the team will go with Antero Nittymaki as the main guy. He has had a decent rookie season in Philadelphia splitting time with Robert Esche. He was also a key cog in leading the Flyers farm team to the Calder Cup. His backup for now is Fredrik Norrena who is a veteran over in Europe. However do not be surprised if one of the other current Finnish goalies in the NHL get a shot. They include Toskela, Jussi Maarkanen and Mika Noronen.

Whomever is in goal, they will need to steal a game or two if they have any shot at medaling this time around. The talent is there, the question is can they outplay Brodeur, Hasek, Lundqvist, Nabokov among others? They are going to need it but that may be too much to expect from a rookie, an NHL backup or a non- NHLer.

Defence

The Finnish blueline is a skilled and talented group. There is plenty of depth even with Ossi Vaananen out with injury. Generating offence will not be a problem. Jani Pitkanen, Kimmo Timonen and the ageless Teppo Numminen are excellent at starting the rush, running the powerplay and moving the puck out of their zone. They are a quick group and the big ice should play right into their hands.

Pitkanen has really emerged as a go to guy in Philly. He has taken over the PP duties, joining the rush regularly and being more aggressive than he was as a rookie. It is a great sign for Finnish hockey that they will have a blueliner like him to build around for years to come. Timonen has been an All Star in the NHL and a consistent point producer. Despite being rather small, he has adapted well to North America and has not let his lack of size effect him defensively. He is a very underrated player. And of course any Finnish team is not complete without Numminen who has been around for 2 decades. He is proving this year that this Finn is not finished by any means.

Adding to the offensive balance will be Sami Salo. It adds a big shooter to go with the plethora of sound playmakers from the back end. He has used it well this year already establishing a career high in goals.

Joining them will be veterans Aki Berg, Petteri Nummelin and Toni Lydman. Berg is the team’s biggest blueliner and will need to bring some physicality especially now with the loss of Vaananen. Nummelin was just added to the team to replace Vaananen and should provide veteran international experience. Lydman is just a solid player at both end who moves the puck very well.

Perhaps not having a top flight goalie behind them will be troublesome, especially since the D is not very physical. But this is a very solid group that can get the job done and with the ways penalties may be called in Torino, some of these guys may be difference makers when it is all said and done.

Forward

He may be a bit old, he may be slowing down and he may be showing less flash these days, but it would not be right if Finland was not led on offence by the Finnish Flash Teemu Selanne. He is having a resurgence in his 2nd stint with the Ducks. He has been roughly a point per game player this year on a team without much talent. It goes to show you the kind of player he is. It would come to no surprise if he continues that kind of play in Torino as playing for his country seems to bring out the best in Selanne.

Unlike his situation in Anaheim, Selanne will have help on offence here with the Finns. Habs captain Saku Koivu is one of the league’s best playmaking centres and has a heart of a lion. He will probably join Teemu on the team’s top line. Jere Lehtinen is one of the NHL’s best two way players. Playing regularly with a player like Mike Modano has allowed Lehtinen to be a dangerous offensive player. But it hasnt taken away from his Selkesque defensive play. Olli Jokinen will also be on hand to provide some offensive punch. With his combination of size and speed, it adds a different dimension to the lineup.

The Finns did lose some firepower to injuries as Sami Kapanen and Tuomo Ruutu bowed out. Ruutu is a big loss after he wowed everyone at the World Cup with his very dynamic play. That will be missed, especially on the big ice.

There is not a ton of proven offense after the top 4 mentioned above. Jussi Jokinen and Antti Miettinen are teammates of Lehtinen in Dallas and give the Finns some young legs who are adept at playing a solid two-way game. Ville Nieminen and Jarko Ruutu will add a significant amount of grit and sandpaper that the Finns generally have an abundance of. In the NHL circles, these two players are hated as opponents and loved as teammates. They are 2 of the best at what they do. Finnish veterans Ville Peltonen and Jukka Hentonen add plenty of experience to the team. They have been productive players in Europe for years and will be counted on to provide some support scoring. Anti Laaksonen of the Avs is a very good penalty killer and his skating ability is an asset on the larger ice. Rounding out the forward contingent is youngster Mikko Koivu, the younger brother of Saku. You see alot of the big nations going this route, having a veteran laden squad but at the same time implementing some of the better young talents with an eye at the next Olympics. Koivu is skilled like his older brother but adds much more size. He is still a bit raw and needs more experience, but should at least contribute using his big body.

The Finns, despite injuries are deep and talented and often underrated. They thoroughly enjoy being written off and discounted from the medals. In reality, they are a tough team to play against and are a legitimate threat to bring something back to Finland in Ice Hockey.

Germany

Goaltending

Any chance for a miracle win by the Germans rests in the hands of goaltender Olaf Kolzig. The veteran Caps goalie is the team’s best player. The only way the Germans medal is if Kolzig gets hot and steals a game or four.

Backing him up will be his former Caps teammate Robert Muller. He is a veteran over in Europe and may see some action since this is such a condensed tournament. Also on hand is Thomas Greiss who is a San Jose Sharks draft pick.

Defence

Germany is finally starting to produce some NHL calibre defencemen. 3 current and 1 former NHL blueliner will line up on defence for the Germans. Dennis Seidenberg is probably the best of the bunch. He is a solid offensive minded defencemen who will probably be leaned on by coach Uwe Krupp, a former NHL blueliner. Joining him are first year NHLers Christian Ehrloff and Christoph Schubert. Ehrloff is slowly but surely earning a regular spot in the Sharks lineup. His playing time increased when the team moved out Brad Stuart. He will probably quarterback the PP. Schubert has be used as a 4th line forward due to injuries and has not looked out of place. He will bring a bit of grit to the defence. Former Devil’s prospect Sasha Goc (older brother of Marcel Goc) will bring a physical element to the defence along with plenty of international experience. He will likely see alot of action on the PK and up against the opponents top forwards. The rest of the D includes Andreas Renz who is another defenceman that brings experience to the table. At 28, he is the oldest blueliner among the group. Also around is Alexander Sultzer a 21 year old Nashville Predators prospect. Unless a miracle happens, it is unlikely Germany will win anything in Hockey in Torino, so it should be good for the country’s development to bring a young group of defenders who may be around again in 2010.

Forwards

3 current NHLers will need to provide the bulk of the offence for Germany. Jochen Hecht is probably the team’s most dangerous forward. His speed and puck skills are top notch, it’s just his finishing ability that is questionable. He will need to fill the net for the Germans for them to even come out with a win or two. Marco Sturm will also need to find the net as well. The speedy Boston Bruin’s forward will either line up beside Hecht on the top line or anchor a 2nd unit. He is having his best offensive year as he is getting more responsibility and ice time with the Bs. His former Sharks teammate Marcel Goc is the only other forward in the NHL. Goc is only 22 and has shown glimses of offence as he plays 3rd fiddle behind Patrick Marleau and Joe Thornton in San Jose. He is currently playing a more defensive role and has done well as he has been able to skate with veterans Alyn MacCauley, Scott Thornton and Nils Ekman from time to time. Here, he’ll have to bring it on offence.

The Germans do have a couple of other forwards in Jan Benda and Stefan Ustorf who have played in the NHL before. Both were former Caps prospects. These two have played the last several years in Europe and will be counted on to bring some offence, and also sound defence and experience to the team. It will really help them to have the NHLers around for the full tournament instead of being forced into starring roles which they are not accustomed to.

The Germans will need production as well from German League teammates Klaus Kathan and Daniel Kruetzer. Both have been 20 goal scorers the last 2 seasons. Also, Czech born forwards Thomas Martinec and Petr Fical will be counted on offensively.

Despite having a bit more depth and young talent this time around, the Germans are very short staffed. The team was relegated to the B pool at a recent world championship which was a step back for a country that was beginning to produce some talent. But based on the current group of NHLers on the team and the fact that the team is no longer made up mostly of transplanted North Americans, it is a good sign for a country that is looking to improve it’s standing as the 8th best hockey nation in the world.

Switzerland

Goaltending

Like the Germans, the Swiss will need top end play from their goalies for any shot at a miracle. And the possibilities exist with the type of talent they can put out in nets. David Aebischer and Martin Gerber are both established number 1 goalies. Gerber has played better this season on the league’s top team in Carolina. He will likely start as the main guy for the Swiss. But Aebischer should get some time. He has been the top goalie for the Avs for the last couple of seasons.

Defence

The blueline is led by Captain Mark Streit who is currently patrolling on D for the Habs. He will likely log major minutes trying to jumpstart a weak offence and going up against the World’s top players like he does in the NHL. He will be joined by Julien Vauclair and Goren Bezina, a couple of players who have tasted the NHL. Vauclair is a Sens prospect who will be counted on for offence. Bezina is formerly of the Coyotes and will add some grit to the back end. Also among the group is 15 year Swiss league vet Martin Steinegger. The blueline offers some skill but is not big enough, strong enough or talented enough to compete game in and game out against the best.

Forwards

There is really no player among the group that is a true offensive threat. They have many industrious, hard working forwards like former Bolt Thomas Ziegler and long time Swiss National team member Patrick Fischer. The offensive load will be carried by Kings prospect Flavien Conne who is a smallish swift forward with decent skill. Also on hand is transplanted Canadian and Swiss league vet Paul Dipietro. Habs fans will remember him as being one of the members of their last Stanley Cup team in 1993. Otherwise the team is void of any offensive talent. And they lack size as well. Only 1 forward stands over 6’0 and 2 forwards weigh in at over 200 lbs. If the team can maintain a high work ethic and check opponents to death, they have a chance, but they likely will not be able to withstand the talent other teams can put out there.

The team’s goaltending can steal a game or two. They should take some inspiration from how well their youngsters played, especially against Canada at the recent World Jrs. They will need to take a page from that team and have a productive power play. But these are the best players in the World. They will be lucky to lose by just 3 to any of the top hockey nations.

Italy

Goaltending

Former Calgary Flames first round draft pick Jason Muzzatti will log most of the goaltending duties. The Toronto born Muzzatti has played the last few years in the Italian league. The Italians will need to have Muzzatti show the form he had 14 years ago that made him a first rounder if the hosts wish to be competitive. Guther Hell backs up Muzzatti on their Italian club team and will do so here in Torino.

Defence

The Italians have some decent puck moving offensive blueliners. The leader of the group is veteran Bob Nardella who helped the Chicago Wolves to 2 championships. He has put up very good numbers at all levels he’s played in. Carter Trevisani and Andre Signoretti are a couple of transplanted Canadians who also can provide a bit of offence. It will be interesting to see the 5’5 Signoretti battle someone line Nash, Bertuzzi or Thornton in game 1. This is a relatively small, soft group that will be overwhelmed by the top hockey nations.

Forward

The forwards are made up of many North Americans. Jason Cirone and Tony Tuzzolino are the only 2 with NHL experience. Cirone will be counted on for offence, while Tuzzolino will need to bring a physical element to the team. There are several other former Canadian Junior players who will be needed to provide scoring. the likes of Tony Iob, Mario Chitarroni and John Porco will need to generate offence. Chitarroni is in fact the team’s most dangerous player. Another key offensive component is Lucio Topatigh who is a star over in the host nation. Though many Canadians are involved in the team, they are definitely no where near the calibre of Canada’s entry in the Olympics.

They are the sentimental favorites. As hosts, it would be nice if the Italians play well win or loss. But they simply are going to be overwhelmed. Playing game 1 against the Canadians may be the beginning of the slaughter.

Well that finishes Part 1 of the preview. Stay tuned for Part 2 which will preview Group B.