The Finished Flash

The defending silver medalists will have a tough time following up on their successes of 2006 in Vancouver. These Fins have longer odds and older stars. With 29 Finish players skating in the NHL this season, compared to the 31 in 2006, this Scandinavian nation has stayed consistent in terms of number of players. Where it drops off is in the talent.

In 2006, the 31 Fins combined for 703 points over a full season, meaning 8.57 FSI (Finish scoring index... ok it could be any nation's scoring index, I just made it up). They had considerable contributions from Teemu Selanne, Saku Koivu and Jere Lehtinen. Yes, these guys are still around this season but "they don't make them like they used to".

So far this season, the 2009 Fins have 189 through 36 games, meaning 5.25 FSI. You can start to see a drastic difference here. Even though they have found new leadership in Mikko Koivu, Olli Jokinen and Niklas Hagman there is still much to be desired. Their offensive production has been in question before but the Fins will play a very strong defensive game and wait for their opponent to make a mistake (very venus fly trap-ian). It is doubtfull they will get any help from the home bodies but if anyone makes it, it may be Hannes Hyvonen of Minsk Dynamo.

Here is a look at their forwards... (Note the number of repeated names, the Jokinen's are not related... although, every American probably thinks Brad Richards and Mike Richards are brothers, if americans watched hockey.)

Selanne-O.Jokinen-S.Koivu

Hagman-M.Koivu-T. Ruutu

J.Jokinen-Leino-Lehtinen

J. Ruutu-Filppula-Meitinen

Defensively the team will rely heavily on Kimo Timonen and the strength of their defensive forwards. They always seem to play strong against the big teams and don't count them out to stymie some of the high powered offenses. Losing Teppo Numinen to retirement (heart issues) will hurt this team a lot.

Timonen-Salo

Pitkanen-Lydman

Vaananen-Koistinen

Goaltending is definitely their ace in the hole. The SUOMI will be backstopped by some of the best goaltenders in hockey. Kiprussof or Backstrom could both be the top goaltender of the tournament if they had their way. However, with Kipper's boisterous public demand to be the starter, he seems to have laid claim. Look to see Pekka Rinne accompany the goaltenders and earn experience for the future.

Overall, this Finish team is not the most attractive selection to medal, however they could do some damage to a team that would be overlooking them. Watch for them to have close games all tournament long. Final prediction: Bronze Medal

Olympic Fever - A Russian Update

"Of course I win gold" Maybe not this time Alex....

With every media outlet firing out our team Canada hopefuls faster than your morning's medium double double. I thought it would be useful to give you an update on the competition, starting with the Russians.

Since the times of the Soviet Union, never has the POSSHA been more feared. Speaking of which, Fetisov is making a return in the KHL this weekend! They may not be able to field multiple teams that could compete for a medal, but their cream of the crop is definitely tops. In case you haven't imagined it already - check it. Here is a look at their forwards.

Ovechkin-Malkin-Kovalchuk
Semin-Datsyuk-Kovalev

Frolov-Kozlov-Radulov (remember him?)

Morozov-Yashin-Afinogenov

Yikes.

But your thinking that their defense will be weak since they always have been. They only have 7 defenseman with games played in the NHL this season (I looked it up, kinda surprised) with a total of 121 games played; extrapolated over an 82 game season it means they have only played in 21% of games this season. All that to say, yes, their defense IS weak.

Gonchar-Markov

Volchenkov-Tyutin

Grebeshkov-Kulikov

Goaltending is a different story of course, they not only have veteran incumbents but rising stars (or Sputniks). The experience of Nabokov, Khabibulin put them atop the rankings however I would slide the ever shut-out-ing Ilya Bryzgalov into the mix. Don't forget about Washington's Varly as he has just one loss in 16 games played this season.

Bryzgalov

Nabokov

Varlamov

Simply looking at their offense, the Russians have too much firepower to be stopped by any defense. Yes, Canada does have it's on-ice version of NORAD in Neidermayer and Pronger. But no one, can stop Ovechkin-Malkin-Kovalchuk on one line.

Final placement: Silver Medal