Russian Olympic Roster

With a lethally high-powered offense, veteran puck movers on the blueline and world class keepers in net, the Russians will be looking to win their first gold medal in the pro player era, and also their first Olympic championship since 1992.

Goalies
Evgeni Nabokov: Probably the frontrunner for the starting job, Nabokov will have to be on top of his game to keep his spot. He is currently 2nd in the league with 26 wins, and has a very respectable 2.29 GAA.

Ilya Bryzgalov: Probably the main reason for the Coyotes’ first half success, Bryzgalov has developed into a legitimate elite goaltender. Ranked 2nd in the league with 5 shutouts, and 9th in the league with 1016 saves already.

Semyon Varlamov: The rookie netminder has only one regulation loss in his regular season career with the Capitals. He’s been rehabbing an injury for the past two months, but should be ready to go for the Olympics.

Defensemen
Sergei Gonchar: Perhaps the best powerplay quarterback in the league, Gonchar again missed part of the season with an injury, but has wasted no time in regaining his pre-injury form.

Denis Grebeshkov: A budding star in Edmonton, Grebeshkov’s numbers aren’t great, 4 goals and 14 points in 31 games, but he is very capable manning the point on the powerplay. His -11 rating won’t make his goalies very happy, though.

Dmitri Kalinin: A solid defender for the Sabres for the better part of this decade, Kalinin is having a very good year in the KHL, with 10 goals and 18 points in 42 games.

Konstantin Korneyev: Played his whole career in Russia, currently has 5 goals and 15 points in 43 games with CSKA Moscow.

Andrei Markov: About as good on the powerplay as Gonchar, Markov missed most of the season so far with a leg injury suffered on opening night in Toronto. Since his return, he’s averaged over a point per game.

Ilya Nikulin: Another Russian who’s never played in the NHL, Nikulin has played the last five seasons with Ak-Bars Kazan. Currently on pace for a career year, with 5 goals and 28 points to go with his 66 penalty minutes.

Fedor Tyutin: Has developed into a top-tier defender since being traded to Columbus. He has played in all 49 games for the Blue Jackets this year, and can throw in some offense as well.

Anton Volchenkov: Probably the most physical defender on the Russian blueline, Volchenkov will be expected to continue to deal out heavy hits on opposing forwards.

Forwards
Maxim Afinogenov: After two poor seasons in Buffalo, a change of scenery has jumpstarted the speedy winger’s career. He already had 16 goals and 40 points, and may set new career highs in goals and points.

Pavel Datsyuk: Probably the best two way center in the NHL today, the diminutive Red Wing can dangle and score with the best of them. Oh yeah, he also won back to back Selke Trophies as the best defensive forward in the league.

Sergei Fedorov: One of the greatest Russians to play in the NHL, Fedorov has taken his career back to Russia, where he has 25 points for Magnitogorsk this season.

Ilya Kovalchuk: Kovalchuk will be the prize of the 2010 free agent class if he doesn’t re-sign with the Thrashers. On pace to score 50 goals this year for the first time since 2007-08.

Viktor Kozlov: One of a few well-seasoned veterans for the Russians this year, Kozlov has 10 goals and 25 points in his first season of play in the KHL since the lockout.

Evgeni Malkin: Geno has been content to let Sidney Crosby take most of the spotlight in Pittsburgh, but has scored 219 points in his last two seasons. Hit a bit of a slump this year, but still has 43 points so far.

Alexei Morozov: Hasn’t played in the NHL since before the lockout, but scored 50 points in his last NHL season with the Penguins. Has scored at least 60 points in each of the last 3 years with Ak-Bars Kazan.

Alex Ovechkin: The most exciting player in hockey loves the international stage, and created a bit of a stir earlier this year when he said he’d be playing for Russia in 2014 regardless of whether the NHL was participating or not. The best pure goal scorer in the game today has 28 goals and 57 points already, helping him earn a sterling +23 rating.

Alexander Radulov: One of the foremost young players to abandon the NHL for Russia, Radulov is having a monster year, with 19 goals and 51 points already.

Alexander Semin: The other Alex in Washington is no hack. He had 34 goals and 79 points last year, despite playing only 62 games. He’s on pace to put up similar numbers this year.

Denis Zaripov: A talented forward who has spent the last ten seasons with Ak-Bars Kazan, Zaripov had 34 goals in the first season of the KHL’s existence last year.

Sergei Zinoviev: Like Zaripov, Zinoviev will be a virtual unknown to many fans of the NHL, as he has played only 10 games in his career. He is on pace to set new career highs in the KHL with 14 goals and 42 points already.

Roster Depth: Fair
Medal Chances: Strong