Slovakia is a bit scary. Finishing a record 4th at the Vancouver 2010 Olympics, the other teams in the tournament better be ready for them.
First let’s take a look at the defence. I shouldn’t have to say much when I say the name Zdeno Chara so I won’t, but Visnovsky, Meszaros and Baranka are all solid D men that could definitely put up a wall. Then again, Chara could play the whole tournament by himself on the blue line and they’d still probably reach 4th place.
Goaltending is pretty solid too. Look at former Montreal Canadien teammates Jaroslav Halak and Peter Budaj to be Slovakia’s one-two punch in net. If Halak can keep up his play, he will no doubt shine in the tournament.
Forwards is where it gets fun. Can you imagine a line of Hossa, Handzus and Gaborik? No? Yeah well, give your head a shake because it could happen. Kopecky, Stumpel and an old Buffalo fan favourite Miroslav Satan could also form line #2. That’s about as far as the depth chart goes though.
Keep an eye on these feisty Slovakians. They came so close to the podium in Vancouver; they just might reach it in Sochi.
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