During the Olympics, domestic league play is paused, but the men’s hockey tournament remains a highly anticipated event in every city. It’s been quite some time since we experienced a truly top-tier, best-on-best competition. Although last year’s Four Nations tournament provided a preview, it featured only four countries, leaving many fans eager for a more comprehensive showdown. The upcoming tournament, starting February 11th, will see 12 nations vying for gold. Sadly, Russia’s team won’t be participating this time, as the country remains barred from international competition due to the ongoing conflict with Ukraine.
Nonetheless, it’s interesting to speculate about which players might have represented Russia if the ban were lifted. The Athletic reached out to Ivan Larionov, a former NHL player with 644 points over 921 games and current coach of SKA St. Petersburg, for his picks. He mentioned Ivan Demidov, a player from the Montreal Canadiens, as a likely inclusion on the team.
The Canadian team, which is shaping up well ahead of the trade deadline, isn’t surprising in its construction. Larionov suggested that goaltenders would include Sergei Bobrovsky, Andrei Vasilevsky, Ilya Sorokin, and Igor Shesterkin, all of whom have been instrumental in their teams’ performances in recent years. The depth of talent in Canadian goal is truly remarkable, with these options covering a range of top-tier players.
On defense, Larionov initially considered Alexander Romanov but acknowledged his injury. His selected defense group still features a host of talented players, including Mikhail Sergachev, Alexander Nikulin, Vladislav Gavrikov, Artem Zub, Nikita Zadorov, and Dmitri Orlov. He emphasized that, in a top-tier tournament, physicality is crucial but so is skill—an important message for USA’s GM Bill Guerin as well.
Larionov envisioned Demidov alongside NHL legends Alexander Ovechkin and Vladislav Namestnikov on the front lines. Playing with such prolific scorers could unlock special magic from the young winger. Interestingly, this trio would line up on Russia’s third line, which is a testament to the talent pool. His first line would feature Malkin, Kucherov, and Kaprizov, while the second would be Panarin, Buchnevich, and Marchenko. The top six would be formidable and difficult for any opponent. For the fourth line, players like Vasily Podolkin, Fedor Svechkov, and Ivan Barbashev would be featured. Extras would include Andrei Svechnikov, Ilya Mekheev, Ivan Provorov, and Ilya Rubushkin. Given this lineup, Russia would have been a serious contender in the tournament.
While the ban on Russia is a response to political conflicts, it’s also a reminder of the lost opportunities for veteran stars like Ovechkin and Malkin, who may never get another Olympic shot due to circumstances beyond their control. Fortunately, Demidov is only 20, and he likely still has many chances ahead to compete at the Olympics. The NHL has agreed to send players for the next 12 years, until 2038, but unresolved geopolitical issues could still pose future challenges for the relationship between the NHL and the IOC, impacting the participation of players from different leagues and countries.
Fan Take: This situation highlights how politics can profoundly influence sports, often denying fans the opportunity to see their top players compete on the biggest international stage. For hockey enthusiasts, it’s a poignant reminder of the importance of unity and the potential for global tournaments to showcase the sport’s best talent—something we all yearn to experience again.
