No offense to Switzerland, Norway or Latvia—but they are not the big storylines on the first day of Men’s hockey at the 2010 Olympics. Team USA, Team Canada and Team Russia are all serious contenders for medals—even the Gold Medal.
For anyone who is curious about the line combinations for the tournament, here is what we know so far. Of course, line combinations are always subject to change—but seeing how the coaches ENVISION their team gives some insight as to what they expect from each player. Not only that, it gives a glimpse into each GM’s mind and their expectations when they were building their respective teams.
You can find the initial line combinations for Sweden, Finland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic here.
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Team Russia
Forwards
Alexander Ovechkin – Pavel Datsyuk – Alexander Semin
Ilya Kovalchuk – Evgeni Malkin – Maxim Afinogenov
Viktor Kozlov – Sergei Fedorov – Alexander Radulov
Danis Zaripov – Sergei Zinoviev – Alexei Morozov
Defensemen
Andrei Markov-Fedor Tyutin
Denis Grebeshkov – Sergei Gonchar
Anton Volchenkov-Konstantin Korneyev
Dmitri Kalinin-Ilja Nikulin
Starting Goaltender
It’s been assumed that Evgeni Nabokov will be the starter for Team Russia—but the Russians are playing it close to the vest. Betweeen Ilya Bryzgalov and Evgeni Nabokov, they can’t really go wrong.
Team USA
Forwards
Patrick Kane – Paul Stastny – Zach Parise
Ryan Malone – Joe Pavelski – Phil Kessel
Jamie Langenbrunner – Ryan Kesler – Dustin Brown
David Backes – Chris Drury – Ryan Callahan – Bobby Ryan (all 4 skating in practice)
Defensemen
Ryan Suter – Brian Rafalski
Tim Gleason – Erik Johnson
Jack Johnson – Brooks Orpik
Starting Goaltender
Ryan Miller
Canada
Forwards
Rick Nash—Sidney Crosby—Patrice Bergeron
Eric Staal—Ryan Getzlaf—Corey Perry
Patrick Marleau—Joe Thornton—Dany Heatley
Brendan Morrow—Jonathan Toews—Jarome Iginla
Mike Richards (appears as though)
Defensemen
Dan Boyle – Chris Pronger
Duncan Keith – Keith Seabrook
Shea Weber – Scott Niedermayer
Drew Doughty
Starting Goaltenders
Roberto Luongo vs. Norway
Martin Brodeur vs. Switzerland
According Bob McKenzie (TSN.ca), here are the units that Team Canada was using for the power play (in no particular order)
Power Play Forwards
- Richards-Crosby-Nash;
- Perry-Getzlaf-Staal;
- Marleau-Thornton-Heatley
Power Play Defensemen
- Pronger-Doughty
- Boyle-Weber
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For ongoing updates from Vancouver, Dan Rosen (NHL.com), Chris Johnston (The Canadian Press), Michael Russo (Minneapolis/St. Paul Tribune) and Francois Gagnon (La Presse) have been killing it. I highly recommend that you check them out for live updates throughout the coming days.
As lines change throughout the tournament, you are welcomed to note any changes or updates in the comments section.
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russia has the best frowards. malkin is the best goal scoring set up man u could ask for. ovechkin is just awesome. i like kovy on the second line but malkin and datsyk should switch. canada has a solid defense and offense. but crosby needs to step it up . Nash needs to start passing. and iginla is doing something right with a hat trick in the first game. usa isgonna get bronce. the czche are good as well as sweden but russia and canada are top conetenders.
LOL. I cant even use that excuse! If he were filling in for his Dad, he's be playing for Czechoslovakia… Yes, I just dated myself…
(and it's fixed… thanks for pointing out the mistake)
Why is Peter Statsny on the USA Team? Is he filling in for his son Paul? haha
Its interesting what you say about the Czechs and Slovakia… I actually think that the Slovaks have passed the Czech's (for now)… its nice that they're in the same group so we'll get to see them play against each other this time.
I agree with Bergeron being one of the best 2-way players in the league. I know there were alot of raised eyebrows when he was selected to the team– but he's exactly what the team will need. I'll go out on a limb and say he'll be killing a few penalties before the tournament is over…
The Russian and Canadian teams are unreal as far as talent goes, but I really like the American team as well! The Americans have a lot of VERY skilled and fast players like: Parise, Cane, Kessel, and Stastny! Canada made a great move picking Patrice Bergeron to be on the team as well, he is possibly the best 2-way player in the NHL, great offensively and even better defensively! The American defensemen are great as well! I agree that the Russian defense is a little weak, but Markov is an amazing player, if he is 100% he is one of the very best defensemen in the world! Canada clearly has the best overall team, but don't forget about Sweden, Finland, Czech, and Slovakia though, all have a great chance to win gold as well as the other 3! Sweden and the Czech especially have great teams! Don't sleep on Slovakia though with big Zdeno Chara who is the best defensive defensemen in the world probably, and is great offensively as well with the hardest shot in the NHL!
Kovlachuk to Malkin… on the SECOND line! But you're right… their defense is thin (at best). I wonder how many minutes Markov can play. Or Gonchar. Can they just put them together and play the full 60? LOL
The Russian forwards are un-friggin-real. I'd say they are the best in the tournament. But that defense is shaky. Grebeshkov on the second pairing? Nabby or Bryz will have to stand on their collective heads.
Now Canada's defense is awesome. This is going to be a great tournament.