Written by Adam Peleshaty
The IIHF Men’s World Hockey Championship begins Apr. 29 in the Slovakian cities of Kosice and Bratislava. This year’s edition will be the 75th ever held but it will be the first one ever held in Slovakia. The Canadians will be looking to improve on a worst-ever 7th place finish last year in Germany, due to the fact that most players on the gold-medal Olympic winning hockey team declined to participate. Canada has not won a men’s world title since 2007. Last year, the Czechs upset the Russians for the gold medal.
Here are some predictions and storylines going into this year’s tournament.
Group A: Russia, Slovakia, Germany, Slovenia
Russia won silver in last year’s worlds, but was expected to win gold for the third straight year. With a line-up that includes many from those gold medal winning teams plus possibly Ilya Kovalchuk, Nikolai Kulemin, Alexander Radulov and Evgeni Nabokov, Russia will be favourites to win gold for the third time in four years.
Slovakia will have Jaroslav Halak, Marian Gaborik, Pavol Demitra and the home fans cheering them on. Even though they finished fourth in Vancouver, the Slovaks have not reached the playoffs in the Worlds since 2007 and have not medalled since 2003. A medal might legitimize them as a top hockey nation again.
Germany used the home crowd to their advantage on their way to a fourth place finish in last year’s Worlds. While some of those players, including last year’s MVP goalie Dennis Endras will participate, a medal is out of the question.
Slovenia, coached by Matjaz Kopitar, will not have his son Anze leading the team as he is out with injury. Without him, they have no chance and will likely be relegated this year.
Group B: Canada, Switzerland, Belarus, France
Even though they finished seventh last year, Canada looks very good this time around. While the goaltending of James Reimer and Devan Dubnyk may be a concern, they still have captain Rick Nash, forwards John Tavares, Jordan Eberle, and Evander Kane with defensemen Dion Phaneuf, Luke Schenn, and Brent Burns. The Canadians should contend for a medal this time around.
The Swiss finished in fifth last year (their best placing since 1998) but they still couldn’t win a quarterfinal for the first time since ’98. They are capable, however, of defeating the top countries in the world such as Canada last year and while they have a lack of NHLers, the Swiss will have a showdown with Canada for top spot in Group B. Top eight finish? Yes. Medal? Probably not.
While Belarus will have Mikhail Grabovski playing for them as well as 2002 Olympic hero Andrei Mezin, they will have a hard time trying to reach the playoffs.
France has former NHLer Cristobal Huet in net while also having Ottawa Senators prospect Stephane da Costa as forward. They lost to Canada in Paris by a score of 3-2, but Huet’s performance will determine whether or not France stays in the top division.
Group C: Sweden, United States, Norway, Austria
Sweden won bronze last year, but they have a younger squad this year. The Swedes will have Mikael Backlund, Magnus Paajarvi, and Oliver Ekman-Larsson along with Loui Eriksson and Nicklas Grossman. In the last ten World Championships, Sweden has won seven medals. There is a decent possibility that they will do the same this year, but with their youth, that isn’t guaranteed
The United States will also have a young team with only one player, goaltender Ty Conklin, over the age of 30. It will include defensemen Cam Fowler and Mike Komisarek but will also include three NCAA forwards in Chris Kreider, Craig Smith, and Andy Miele (However, there may be additions from NHL teams eliminated in the Stanley Cup playoffs).The Americans have been one of the most inconsistent teams in recent World Championship memory, ranging from a bronze medal in 2004 to a 13th place debacle last year. A medal will not be in their grasp this year.
Norway has no full time NHLers on their roster but still have an assortment of players in the Swedish Elite League plus last year’s scoring leader in that league, Mats Zuccarello-Aasen, now with the New York Rangers. Also, goaltender Pal Grotnes has played well in previous World Championships. They finished in 9th last year, and expect the same result this year.
Austria is a bit of a wild card. They were promoted to the Worlds after being relegated in 2009. No NHLers yet, but could Thomas Vanek and Michael Grabner join the team? If they do, they have a chance in avoiding the relegation round altogether.
Group D: Finland, Czech Republic, Denmark, Latvia
Finland will be a medal contender that will include some of the members from the bronze-medal winning team in the Vancouver Olympics. Mikko Koivu and Tuomo Ruutu will be heading the offense for the Finns and they may still have additions some NHL additions yet to come. However, goaltending, a Finnish strength in previous years, is a bit weak this year with no Miikka Kiprusoff or Niklas Backstrom between the posts.
The Czechs are the reigning world champions and they should have most of last year’s line-up plus Jaromir Jagr, Martin Havlat, and Patrik Elias. A medal is also a distinct possibility for them as well.
Denmark finished in eighth last year, their best ever in a Worlds. However, without Peter Regin, Jannik Hansen or possibly Lars Eller, and retired captain Jesper Damgaard, the Danes will not have the same success.
Latvia will have no full time NHLers on their team, but chemistry won’t be a problem as half the team plays for Dinamo Riga in the KHL. However, they are more likely to be in the relegation round, than in the playoff round.
Medal Predictions: Gold: Canada, Silver: Russia, Bronze: Czech Republic
Teams to be Relegated: Slovenia, France
