Hockey Players To Watch In Sochi

The 12 players to watch in the Sochi Olympics men's hockey tournament

SI Staff | Feb 10, 2014

Hockey Players To Watch In Sochi /

Hockey Players To Watch In Sochi

Phil Kessel, C, USA

This is a different Kessel than the one who represented the United States four years ago. He was a phantom in Vancouver, weak, easily knocked off the puck and out of the play. Now, he comes in as one of the hottest snipers in the game, a player whose shot mechanics are broken down with the sort of reverence reserved for Jack Black's guitar slinging or the prose of David Mamet. He'll be hidden behind the bigger names—Zach Parise, Patrick Kane—and be all the more dangerous for it. He's America's best-known secret weapon. -- Allan Muir

Aleksander Barkov, C, Finland

Initially tabbed for a depth role with the Lions, Barkov was promoted to first-line center after injuries to Mikko Koivu and Valtteri Filppula forced a dramatic shake up of Finland's roster. Florida's rookie sensation lacks the experience of those veterans, but he plays a gritty style and has the size to go head-to-head with the top pivots he'll face in Sochi. But does he have the touch to get the most out of wingers Teemu Selanne and Mikael Granlund? If not, Finland's offense will be too easy to neutralize. -- Allan Muir

Anze Kopitar, C, Slovenia

No one harbors any illusions about Slovenia's chances in these Games, but Kopitar's presence gives this team a dimension it didn't have when it qualified for an Olympic berth last year. His size, skill and championship pedigree will make everyone wearing that uniform play two inches taller and 20 pounds heaver, and while that's unlikely to help them win a game, his presence makes a statement that Slovenia belongs on the international stage. -- Allan Muir

Henrik Lundqvist, G, Sweden

With Sweden's offensive might whittled away by injuries and slumps, the pressure falls squarely on King Henrik to keep this team in gold medal contention. Fortunately for Tre Kroner, the timing couldn't be better. After a slow start, Lundqvist is back to playing world-class hockey for the New York Rangers, allowing just 19 goals on 363 shots –a .948 save percentage—since being named to Team Sweden. -- Allan Muir

Jaroslav Halak, G, Slovakia

This is Halak's chance. A chance to quiet all those trade rumors, to prove to the fans (and, more importantly) the management of the St. Louis Blues that he deserves a shot to lead that club into the Stanley Cup Playoffs and can seize the moment and put a team on his back because, while the Slovaks aren't on anyone's list of favorites, they have pieces in place to make some noise. But it all depends on Halak and his ability to make the big save when it's needed most. Just like it will in St. Louis this spring. -- Allan Muir

Ondrej Palat, LW, Czech Republic

With the last remnants of its greatest generation playing their final games with the national team, the Czechs will be looking to the future with Palat. A seventh-round pick of the Lightning in 2011, the speedy left winger quickly advanced from a bottom-six role to skate on Tampa's top line, earning NHL Rookie of the Month honors for January. He could dazzle skating on the second line with David Krejci and Jake Voracek. -- Allan Muir

Patrick Thoresen, LW, Norway

Arguably the second-greatest player ever produced by Norway (after the great Espen “Shampoo” Knutsen), Thoresen remains an effective offensive weapon for SKA St. Petersburg of the KHL at age 30. That's worth noting because the former NHLer (last seen in Philadelphia back in 2008) has made noise about wanting to play in North America again. A strong performance in Sochi could grease the wheels for his return next season. -- Allan Muir

Pavel Datsyuk, C, Russia

That he was named captain over flashier players like Alex Ovechkin or Ilya Kovalchuk speaks to the reverence afforded Datsyuk by his Russian teammates. But after missing a month of hockey in Detroit, and his team's first practice in Sochi, there are concerns that he's not at full strength ... and may not be able to go at all. His absence would leave an unfillable hole in the heart of this squad. -- Allan Muir

P.K. Subban, D, Canada

He was a lightning bolt of controversy in the lead-up to Team Canada's roster announcement, a player regarded as its most creative and dangerous offensive weapon on the blueline, but also one that is not trusted by his own coach to play in critical moments. In the end, the Canadian staff decided his speed and playmaking skills could make him a gamebreaker on the big ice. -- Allan Muir

Roman Josi, D, Switzerland

Outside of Nashville, he's scarcely made a name for himself as an NHLer, but Josi has emerged as the rising star of Swiss hockey. The MVP of the 2013 World Championships guided his team to an unlikely silver medal, setting them up for a legitimate medal shot in Sochi. Josi's game is ideally suited for the big ice, where his subpar physical play is easy to overlook thanks to his puck-moving skills and calming presence in the defensive zone. -- Allan Muir

Sandis Ozolinsh, D, Latvia

Six years removed from his last NHL experience, the 41-year-old defender is set to play a top-four role for the underdog Latvians. Coach Ted Nolan has said he'll rely on the veteran to quarterback the power play and key the transition game at five-on-five. This will be the third flag that Ozolinsh has skated under at the Olympics: He previously played for the Soviet Union and the Unified Team. -- Allan Muir

Thomas Vanek, LW, Austria

A trip to Sochi might be the perfect getaway for Vanek, who found himself the center of trade talks after turning down a sizable offer to re-sign with the Islanders. A game-breaking talent off the wing who can beat you with his shot or his net-front presence, he'll be the primary offensive weapon for a team that's trying to prove that it belongs at this event. -- Allan Muir

Published Feb 10, 2014

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