John Jaeckel: Olympic Hockey Medal Dark Horses

Finland is my pick JJ. A hot goalie can steal a short tournament like the Olympics and the Finns have the goalies.

Lucky me I guess!

I love the Swiss team, but I don't think they're quite there yet. They'd need quite a few players to play quite above their natural abilities to medal.

John Jaeckel: Olympic Hockey Medal Dark Horses
- John Jaeckel

Gaborik isn't going.

I really like the finns, but with no Koivu or Filpula there top 2 centers are out, there not deep enough to win gold now. Barkov does look good but a rookie as your #1 center, will make it tough for them to medal.

No Gaborik for Slovakia they will be in tough to score, added with the unfortunate loss of Demitra who was an offensive force in 2010

I'll enjoy the Ogie-lympics much more when the NHL isn't involved.

Gold Finland
Silver Canada
Bronze Sweden


popular pick is Canada, I took Finland because of the goalies, their medal result in recent Olympics on large ice, and they will already play Canada early so it would be their second go around.

Russia boasts 3 of the top 5 players in the world, I'm guessing those guys won't be intimidated by the 'good young NHL players' from Switzerland.
To be fair, you did say dark horses, but you also said Switzerland could easily supplant Russia. Agree to disagree I suppose.

John Jaeckel: Olympic Hockey Medal Dark Horses
- John Jaeckel

Czech Republic....


Fear. The. Beard!

>Interesting slam on Bylsma's current Team USA line combos
>http://www.nbcchicago.com...be-Desired-244749331.html

Fun Fact: Russia has 6 guys named Alexander on their roster

Alexander Eremenko
Alexander Ovechkin
Alexander Popov
Alexander Radulov
Alexander Semin
Alexander Svitov

Fun Fact: Russia has 6 guys named Alexander on their roster

Alexander Eremenko
Alexander Ovechkin
Alexander Popov
Alexander Radulov
Alexander Semin
Alexander Svitov
- blackhawks30

You need a hobby.

You need a hobby.
- EKolb13

My hobby took 3 weeks off to go play in Russia so I'm left to amuse myself until it returns

Gold Finland
Silver Canada
Bronze Sweden


popular pick is Canada, I took Finland because of the goalies, their medal result in recent Olympics on large ice, and they will already play Canada early so it would be their second go around.
- homiedclown

You're kidding right? You realize their best forward right now is old man Teemu?! Even with their unbelievable goaltending they'll be lucky to even make the podium.

You're kidding right? You realize their best forward right now is old man Teemu?! Even with their unbelievable goaltending they'll be lucky to even make the podium.
- canada_dry

Missing Koivu and Fillppula mean NO gold.

Missing Koivu and Fillppula mean NO gold.
- Artyukhin76

or silver, or bronze. Super Dark horse to say the least.

Swiss always play a good team D game in intl. competition but its been shown in the past that they can only contain the powerhouses for so long. Finland would need Tretiak-esque type epic goaltending to even smell a bronze. I don't see anyone outside of the top 4 countries having a hope.

You're kidding right? You realize their best forward right now is old man Teemu?! Even with their unbelievable goaltending they'll be lucky to even make the podium.
- canada_dry

yeah I should pick canada to win gold

the yanks or red sox to win world series
the heat to win the nba
the hawks or pens to win the cup
the seahawks to win the next super bowl

Slovakia is a sexy darkhorse.

Im predicting

Gold- Sweden
Silver- USA
Bronze- Canada

Russia boasts 3 of the top 5 players in the world, I'm guessing those guys won't be intimidated by the 'good young NHL players' from Switzerland.
To be fair, you did say dark horses, but you also said Switzerland could easily supplant Russia. Agree to disagree I suppose.
- BestRapperAlive

I dont think so. Malikin for sure. Ovie might not even be a top 5 forward in the world (top 10 for sure) and Datsyuk has slowed considerably...unless you meant the semi-retired Kovalchuck?

I dont think so. Malikin for sure. Ovie might not even be a top 5 forward in the world (top 10 for sure) and Datsyuk has slowed considerably...unless you meant the semi-retired Kovalchuck?
- Jeropotato

Ovie is top 5, c'mon. Stamkos, Crosby, Ovie, Malkin are 4 of the top 5 forwards in the world.

Ovie is top 5, c'mon. Stamkos, Crosby, Ovie, Malkin are 4 of the top 5 forwards in the world.
- blacksheep1

Gotta side with countopotato on this one. Great8 is just too streaky. Scores goals like nobodies business but can vanish for stretches. Rather have Getzlaf or Toews. Hell, Id rather Datsyuk. I think Malkin is the only Russkie worthy of a top 5 nod.

Ovie is top 5, c'mon. Stamkos, Crosby, Ovie, Malkin are 4 of the top 5 forwards in the world.
- blacksheep1

Sure...some would argue that Tavares is better, Jonathan Toews is for sure a better hockey player, and there about 3 or 4 Defensemen that qualify higher in the TOP 10 "Hockey "players in the world as well.

Gotta side with countopotato on this one. Great8 is just too streaky. Scores goals like nobodies business but can vanish for stretches. Rather have Getzlaf or Toews. Hell, Id rather Datsyuk. I think Malkin is the only Russkie worthy of a top 5 nod.
- sanfordnson

Thanks.....Richard.