“The strongest team of Russia.” The Athletic proposes an Olympic roster with NHL players
“The strongest team of Russia.” The Athletic proposes an Olympic roster with NHL players
The Athletic journalist House Lushchishin premise, what would the Russian national hockey team look like at the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing (China), if the NHL had not refused to go there.
“Compound:
Vasilevsky (Shesterkin);
Orlov – Sergachev, Ovechkin – Malkin – Kucherov;
Provorov – Tooth, Panarin – Vice-Presidents – Whims;
Gavrikov – Kulikov, Buchnevich – Barbashev – Tarasenko;
Nichushkin – Shipachev – A. Svechnikov.
Russian hockey looks like this, judging by the tracks, in a state of decline for several years, but in this case it is reconsidering its type of renaissance. Russia would be the stronger side to take bronze at the Olympics, with a real chance of silver or gold against North American nations. And this is without Evgeny Kuznetsov.
Russia’s problem is prostate: a lot of talent on the flanks, but a big hole in the center. Kuznetsov could fix this a lot thanks to his playing at the event and his presence increased Russia’s chances for a medal. Evgeni Malkin remains the elite. It also helps that Ivan Barbashev is experiencing the best moment of his career.
This was probably mostly due to the presence of a large number of St. Louis hitters. “). Alexander Ovechkin repeats the season at the MVP level, Nikita Kucherov is always at this level – with Malkin, they would be one of the strongest links in the tournament next to him. Staying in the second link of the team of Artemy Panarin and Kirill Kaprizov is an incredible luxury.
The fact that the group of wingers was not even their representative is a frightening confirmation of the situation with goalkeepers in Russia. And it’s a complete shame that there are no two gates for each of the pair Andrei Vasilevsky – Igor Shesterkin. I assumed that the team would entrust the starting place to the veteran, but many really prefer Shesterkin, given the season he sticks to. In any case, Russia would have a brick wall that could easily grace a victory or two against more towers or more talented lineups.
The issue with Russia is the same as always: defense. The goalkeeping duo is magic, but they could do with working with whoever is in front of them. Having said this, I must add that the defense looks much stronger than in previous years, and perhaps this would be enough to state their work. Dmitry Orlov is unbelievable in this case, and along with Mikhail Sergachev, he has a solid, if unimpressive, top pair. This duo can really move the puck, which would be an incredible advantage, their skill pleases. The rise of Artyom Zub is also a blessing, as his pairing with Ivan Provorov would give Russia two solid defensive lines. Even the third pair of points of view in search of the past – if the trip that Russia does not make the mistake of taking Nikita Zaitsev with them.
It would be the strongest Russian team we have seen in a long time. She got real fireworks at the tournament, a happy rivalry with both Canada and the United States, ”The Athletic quotes Lushchyshyn.
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