Geeks and NHL stars. Who to follow at the Ice Hockey World Championship without Russia

At the end of February, the national teams of RUSSIA and Belarus were suspended from the World Cup. Their places were given to Austria and France. Why exactly them?

Austria and France were relegated from the elite in 2019, and in 2020 and 2021 the world championships in the first division were not held due to the CORONAVIRUS. Therefore, the composition of the participants in the main world championship did not change. In 2022, instead of Russia and Belarus, it simply included the two worst teams at the time of the last changes.

The national team will miss the second World Cup in history. Since the team made its debut at the world championships in 1954, it has taken part in all tournaments except one - in 1962. Then the USSR, Czechoslovakia and Romania did not come to the United States in protest against the refusal of the Americans to issue visas to East German hockey players due to the construction of the Berlin Wall.

A year ago, NHL players traveled to the World Championship in Latvia in limited numbers, largely due to strict anti-virus regulations, including a six-day quarantine, which was reduced to five days during the tournament, and also because of the position of the clubs. They were not eager to let hockey players go overseas during a pandemic.

Now there are no restrictions in Finland. But it cannot be said that the national teams are much stronger than a year ago.

Finland is mainly staffed with players who have played in the KHL and European championships. But it includes the 2011 world champion, Nashville's fourth scorer last season (11 goals plus 53 assists), Mikael Granlund.

Sweden was strengthened by several players from the NHL, among whom defenders stand out - the third scorer of Buffalo Rasmus Dahlin (13 + 40) and two-time world champion from Vancouver Oliver Ekman-Larsson.

The Czech Republic got one of Detroit's leading defensemen, Filip Groneck, as well as several skilled forwards. Among them are San Jose second scorer Tomas Gertl (30 + 34), who missed most of the season due to injury, Jakub Vrana (Detroit) and veteran, 36-year-old David Krejci from Olomouc, previously more than 10 years was one of the leaders of the "Boston".

The Canadians once again brought an average team to the World Cup, from which three people stand out - the leading defender of Ottawa Tom Chabot, as well as the leader of the Islanders Matthew Barzal (15 + 44) and the third scorer of Winnipeg Pierre-Luc Dubois (28 +32). Almost the entire game of Canadians in attack will be built through these hockey players.

As part of another North American team - the United States - only the leader of the defense of "Chicago" Seth Jones can be noted.

There is someone to watch in the compositions of less status teams.

The Germans received solid reinforcements for their level, for whom three of the eight hockey players representing Germany in the NHL will play. This is the main goalkeeper of Seattle Philip Grubauer, the most productive defender of Detroit, the contender for the prize of the best rookie of the season Moritz Seider (7 + 43), the second scorer of Ottawa Tim Stutzle (22 + 36).

Leading forward San Jose Timo Mayer (35 + 41) and one of the New Jersey leaders, the first number of the NHL draft in 2017 Niko Hishir will play for Switzerland. As well as less status players - forwards from Detroit and Chicago Pius Zuter and Philip Kurashev, as well as Columbus defender Dean Kukan.

It is possible that the Swiss squad will also be strengthened by defense player Roman Yosi, who last season scored a fantastic 96 (23 + 73) points for a defender. Yossi is Nashville's all-time leading scorer, 11th in all-league points, and the first defenseman to break 90 points in the 21st century. The previous time this indicator was overcome in 1994 by Ray Burke (91 points). Yossi claims the award for the best defender of the season.

Denmark will be reinforced by Winnipeg's fifth scorer Nikolai Ehlers (28+27). And as part of the Slovakian national team, special attention will be riveted to Juraj Słafkowski. He does not play in the NHL, but plays for the Finnish TPS. However, at the last Olympics in Beijing, the 17-year-old striker became the best sniper (seven goals) and the most valuable player of the tournament, and the Slovaks for the first time in history won an Olympic medal in hockey - bronze. Both the team's award and the junior's performance became sensations. It is possible that Slafkowski and Slovakia will show themselves in Finland as well.

The absence of Russia, which has been among the favorites at all recent championships, increases the chances of other teams for awards. This is especially true for those who have rarely appeared on the podium in recent years. For example, the Czechs have not taken medals since 2012.

The favorite of the world championship is Finland, which includes almost two dozen Beijing Olympic champions. The Finns have an experienced and well-played team. In addition, they are the hosts of the tournament.

Canadians and Swedes have the best chances for silver and bronze. Czechs and Americans can compete with them. The Swiss should not be discounted - in the last eight tournaments they have played in the final twice.