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So let's assume for a moment that the likely medalists in Men's Ice Hockey at the Winter Olympics will come from the following countries: Canada, Sweden, United States and Russia.

Russia to me is the weakest of the four clubs. What was once a powerhouse in international hockey really is no more. But, they are the host country and they have a fairly strong roster, though clearly, any of my dark horses could easily supplant them.

And they are:

SWITZERLAND

Surprisingly potent and with a lot of good young NHL players, if say Jonas Hiller caught fire in net, the Little Country That Could, just might.

SLOVAKIA

Actually, they are my pick for the bronze. Why? A few reasons, like Switzerland they have a quality NHL goalkeeper in Jaroslav Halak who has been known to pick up a team and carry it (as he did in the 2010 playoffs with Montreal and in the 2010 Olympics, where Slovakia placed fourth). And there's 6'9" defensive pillar Zdeno Chara playing about half the game, a huge (pardon the pun) equalizer. Add to that one of the game's better two-way players in Marian Hossa and maybe just enough more talent upfront in Marian Gaborik and Tomas Tatar.

FINLAND

Like Russia, Finland has fallen off as potent international force of late. But, they have three net minders (Lehtonen, Niemi and Rask) who can get and stay hot and a lot of NHL talent at all positions.

CZECH REPUBLIC

The Czechs get better from the net (where Ondrej Pavelec is their best bet) out, through a suspect defense to a pretty strong group of forwards.

I'll be back soon with a look at how various Hawk prospects are doing in the AHL, juniors, NCAA and Europe.

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