On the eve of the unveiling of the Slovakia, Norway and Latvia rosters I thought I'd do a preview of each of them and make some predictions. Norway and Latvia are going to be pretty difficult but I'll try. Slovakia I'll do right now while later this evening I'll post a Latvia/Norway combo posting.
As for team Slovakia....
The Slovak's are pretty thin in most aspects of their roster so there really isn't many choices. The fact is most of their most talented players are in the NHL and very little stay in the Slovak Extraliga. However saying this that doesn't mean their squad doesn't have a chance or isn't a good team. I think they could be a sleeper team to surprise a few but most likely wont make the top 5.
On Forward: Obviously the leading goal scorer and 2nd in point producer Marian Gaborik will be leading the charge. His good pal and countryman Pavol Demtra will center the top line if he's healthy. On the Left side expect former star NHLer and recently unretired Zigmund Palffy. Palffy has been light up the Extraliga and last season shattered it's record books in almost every category. The second line will consist of both Hossa's. Marian of the Chicago Blackhawks on the right while little brother Marcel of Dinamo Riga in the KHL on the left. Michael Handzus will likely get the call to center the second line. On the third line it should feature another KHL member Ladislav Nagy of Severstal Cherepovets on the left. Up the middle former Florida Panther and KHLer Jozef Stumpel of Barys Astana and to his right the enigmatic Marek Svatos of the Colorado Avs. On the 4th line another KHLer Branko Radivojevic of Spartak Moscow. Up the middle Tomas Kpoecky of the Chicago Blackhawks . Finally on the right side another former NHLer and now KHLer Richard Zednik of Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Subbing in should be center/left winger Peter Sejna of the ZSC Lions of the Swiss League.
On Defense: Zdeno Chara of the Boston Bruins will be his countries main source of well everything from the backend. He'll add the grit, offense, defense and anything else the Slovaks need. Lubomir Vishnovsky of the Oilers should be Chara's partner and in attendance if hes healthy. The second pairing most likely will consist of the inconsistent Andrej Mezaros of the Tampa Bay Lightning and shut down D Boris Valabik of the Atlanta Thrashers. On the last pairing freshly traded Milan Jurcina of the Columbus Blue Jackets and Andrej Sekera of the Buffalo Sabres. The 7th man should be Martin Strbak of HC MVD of yes the KHL.
In Net: This is the easiest one since theres literally no options avaliable to the Slovaks. Obviously Jaroslav Halak of the Habs will be the Slovak's goto guy between the pipes. Next in line is Colorado's Peter Budaj. Finally this is a gamble but I think youth experience is very important so I'm going to go with World Junior Allstar Jaroslav Janus of the Erie Otters. If not it's Jan Lasak of the Slovak Extraliga as usual.
Some sleepers to watch: I'm going to say for my 3 sleepers Tomas Tatar of the Grand Rapid Griffins and Detroit Red Wing prospect. He might make it if he has an incredible World Juniors and or if the Slovaks decide to go youth. My next sleeper is Richard Panik of the Windsor Spitfires and Tampa Bay prospect. Same deal as Tatar, if it's a youth movement or he impresses he could steal a job. Finally another KHLer and NHL defector Marek Zagrapan of Severstal Cherepovets and Buffalo Sabres prospect.
What do you guys think? Let me see your predictions. Post Away...
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