I have a big problem with Team Canada’s selection of players. Draper, Maltby, Doan, Bertuzzi, and a few others have no business being on that team. Their defense is weaker than it should be.
Russia’s forward base is absolutely dynamite. Ovechkin, Kovalchuk, and Datsyuk on a line together? Damn! Backed up by both Kozlovs, Yashin, Kovalev, Afinogenov, Samsonov and Malkin. That is a super-skilled forward lineup.
Gonchar, Markov, Tyutin, Volchenkov, Zubov, and whomever else make up a solid blueline. Bryz in goal will be capable.
Czechs are an easy prediction for me. They have so many players coming from the Rangers that chemistry won’t be a problem. Plus Jagr and Elias are two of the best wingers in the NHL right now.
And I like predicting Canada not making it to the gold medal game :)