Over the next two weeks, we take a break from the Ryan Callahan and Dan Girardi sign/trade/other speculation to switch our attention to the Olympics. While I will add some updates as to potential call ups or trade options from Hartford or news surrounding the rumors from the NHL, much of the focus will be on Sochi. New York has seven players on four Olympic teams, the roles of which will vary from one seeing all the ice time he can handle to another acting as an extra forward. Below is a listing of the teams each player is on, possible applicable line combination and schedule, the latter of which was taken from the SNYRangersblog.com. Last, I will post my Olympic prediction that I wrote for Rotowire a month ago, yet I still think is applicable, but my confidence in it has waned a bit due to recent events.
Team USA: Ryan Callahan, Derek Stepan, Ryan McDonagh:
Callahan to date has skated on a pair of lines the first two days in practice. On Monday, he was on a line with Paul Stastny and Max Pacioretty, a group that looked like it was the fourth line, while on Tuesday, he was part of a trip with David Backes and Zach Parise, replacing T.J. Oshie, who skated with that duo Monday. I think Wednesday's skate will give us a better indication who Callahan plays with, as I would expect Backes and Oshie to stay together initially try and keeping the St. Louis chemistry going .
Stepan is an extra forward along with Blake Wheeler. With Backes, Joe Pavelski and Ryan Kesler at center, unless one of the three are moved to wing or Stastny struggles, Stepan will have a hard time getting on the ice.
McDonagh in both practices has been paired with John Carlson, a pairing I could see staying together, with Ryan Suter and Kevin Shattenkirk, Brooks Orpik and Paul Martin and Cam Fowler with Justin Faulk. I wouldn't be shocked to see McDonagh paired with Shattenkirk either.
• Thursday Feb 13: 7:30AM (Slovakia) NBC Sports Network • Sat Feb 15: 7:30AM (Russia) NBC Sports Network • Sun Feb 16: 7:30AM (Slovenia) NBC Sports Network
Team Canada: Rick Nash
Nash has skated both days with Jonathan Toews and Patrick Sharp, making him a defacto Blackhawk. Pierre McGuire has said that coach Mike Babcock is expected to use this trio as his “shutdown… line. Unsure if he means that defensively or one that will be so good offensively, they will shut down any counterattack by possessing the puck.
• Thursday Feb 13 at 12PM (Norway) USA Network • Friday Feb 14 at 12PM (Austria) USA Network • Sunday Feb 16 at 12PM (Finland) USA Network
Team Sweden: Carl Hagelin, Henrik Lundqvist:
Hagelin is skating on the likely fourth line with Jimmie Ericsson (Skelleftea AIK) and Marcus Krueger of the Blackhawks. (per Helene St. James). Look for that line to act like the third line in the NHL, one that can forecheck a bit, use speed to create chances but not score much.
Lundqvist should start every game between the pipes for Team Sweden
• Wednesday Feb 12: 12PM (Czech Republic) USA Network • Friday Feb 14: 7:30AM (Switzerland) NBC Sports Network • Saturday Feb 15: 12PM (Latvia) USA Network
Team Norway: Mats Zuccarello:
Zuccarello will be the Bugs Bunny of Team Norway. No, not because of his size, but because it will be like Bugs Bunny, First Base, Bugs Bunny, Second Base. Wherever and whenever they need Zuccarello is where he will be, as he will see all the ice time he can handle and then some. Which is why many of us are concerned he will suffer a drop in production after being overused in the Olympics.
• Thursday Feb 13 at 12PM (Canada) USA Network • Friday Feb 14 at 12PM (Finland) MSNBC • Sunday Feb 16 at 3AM (Austria) USA Network
Medal Predictions:
Gold: Sweden Silver: Canada Bronze: USA
In the Olympics, like any short - or once you hit the medal round - single-elimination tournament, a hot goaltender or fluke goal could turn the tide and make the difference. When looking at the teams, you can make a valid argument for any one of the six “favorites… to win gold. Determining the winner is a bit of a finger in the air exercise but here goes.
Russia, as the host country, will have lots of added pressure on them, but I believe they and the US, despite the absence of Bobby Ryan and Kyle Okposo, will come out of Group A. In Group B, Canada by virtue of the breadth and depth of their talent, including who was left off the squad, has to enter the Olympics as the favorite. Plus, until the defending champ is knocked off, they have to at worse get the benefit of the doubt. They, and one of my pre-tournament sleepers, Finland, should advance out of Group B. Sweden, let by Henrik Lundqvist, should win Group C with Switzerland, mainly because of Jonas Hiller, will edge the Czech Republic for the other berth due to that country’s weaker netminders compared to the top six teams. It wouldn’t surprise me to see them advance, though, if their offense rolls as we expect.
The three divisions’ winners and the US will get byes to the quarters, while out of qualifying, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Switzerland and Finland will advance to make it the final-eight. The final four will be the top-four countries, with the US beating Switzerland in a tight game, Slovakia, backstopped by Jaroslav Halak, putting up a valiant effort against Canada before falling, Sweden topping the Czechs and Russia squeaking by Finland in a shootout with Tuukka Rask standing on his head.
In the semis, Sweden will defeat the US, while in a game that goes to a shootout, Canada will defeat Russia, ending the host country’s shot at gold. In the finals, Sweden defeats Canada, as Lundqvist completes a stellar tournament and Gabriel Landeskog scores the game-winner. (Note: I wrote the original about a month ago before Henrik Sedin for Sweden and Mikko Koivu and Valtteri Filppula for Finalnd were ruled out of the Olympics, so while my finals and winner stayed the same, I put Switzerland in my final six. Of course, as a patriotic American, I am hoping I am wrong and the Red, White and Blue earn the gold again) .