Ice Scoopz: Team Sweden 2010

As we all know several Olympic rosters were named for Vancouver 2010 so I've decided to a quick recap and Ice Scoopz review of each one. The good and the bad will be judged starting with the Swedes.

The Swedes for will have credible goaltending again in Henrik Lundqvist (Turin 06), Stefan Liv (Turin 06) and newcomer Jonas Guvstafsson. This is a well rounded group who will mainly rely on Lundqvist to carry the load although Liv can handle the weight as well. The Monster is another good choice because he will or hopefully should be Sweden's future in net.

The defense features several newbs but also has a veteran feel including both Nicklas Lidstrom and Mattias Ohlund who will be making their 4th Olympic squad. Henrik Tallinder who is no rookie when it comes to experience will be in charge of shutting down the oppositions forwards along with the injured Nicklas Kronwall who is a risky decision as he may not be healthy in time for the games. Rookie Tobias Enstrom will give some offensive support along with Johnny Oduya from the Devils. Magnus Johansson of the Swedish Elite league and Douglas Murray will round out the defense. I'm surprised to see Kim Johnsson left off the list but I can understand the decision to get younger and make way for the new generation. I like the defense but a lot will hinge on Kronwall's recovery. I'm kinda surprised to see big Victor Hedman discluded but he may indeed not be ready for the International scene yet although he was increidly head strong while in the World Juniors. If Enstrom is there, I'm sure he could play a minor role too.

As for the forwards the biggest news is the selection of "Foppa" aka Peter Forsberg. After many botched comebacks he has returned to the hockey scene and is reportedly healthy for the first time in nearly 4 years. How effective can he be with little to no serious competition? is the question to ask on top of how healthy is he really? and how long will he stay healthy? A big risk that could pay off in a gold medal if he can return to his dominant form. He was after all a gold medalist in 06. Returning from the 2006 Turin roster is also Sens captain Daniel Alfredsson, Henrik Zetterberg, the Sedin's, and shut down forward Samuel Pahlsson. It sounds like an All-Star line up but it's really the Injury Reserve line-up in reality. Zetterberg is currently nursing a shoulder injury and Daniel Alfredsson will be out untill the games take place also with a shoulder injury. The bad news is that Alfie has stated he will chose Sens over Sweden if he still isn't 100%. Speaking of injuries the often injured Fredrik Modin who was also in Turin and also injured made the club. A strange pic as Modin hasn't exactly been lighting it up the past few seasons and is fresh off a serious injury. Youngster Nicklas Backstrom will of course be there along with newcomers Loui Eriksson, and Patric Hornqvist. The steal of the roster is however in former NHLer and playing in the KHL for Dinamo Moscow.....Mattias Weinhandl who has been tearing up the KHL the past two years. Definitely a name that deserves to be there and should make an impact despite doubts. The Modin pick I feel is a bad one. Modin is fading away slowly and I'd rather have seen Tomas Holmstrom in the line-up. Holmstrom would have added much needed grit and crease presence the Swedes will need to be sucessful. Another big name left off was the injured Johan Franzen for obvious reasons. Mikeal Samualsson also was overlooked and caused quite a stir by saying "F*** them" in requards to Sweden's management. I feel he'd be a bit better than Hornqvist but thems the breaks as they say.

Overall I think Sweden's got a great mix of young and old. Their experience is impressive and they have the goaltending to steal games. If their injured players can return to form, they may end up repeating. But if they don't I place them around the top 4.