As the NHL season opens on Tuesday, the background battle will be for Olympic roster spots. USA TODAY Sports hockey columnist Kevin Allen gives an early primer for the 12 teams that will be participating in the Sochi Games in February:


The most significant change in the U.S. program over the last 30 years is that a miracle is no longer required to win an Olympic medal.

Roughly one in five NHL players is an American, and the U.S. team is generally considered a medal threat in every international tournament. The world championships were the one place where the Americans hadn't been able to make strides, but they won a bronze last spring with a roster that didn't boast many top established players.

The Americans always have enough talent to be competitive.

Recent Olympic history: The Ryan Miller-led Americans were silver medalists in 2010 in Vancouver, and the Herb Brooks-coached Americans won silver in Salt Lake City in 2002.

Core players: Zach Parise and Ryan Suter (Minnesota Wild), Patrick Kane (Chicago Blackhawks), Dustin Brown (Los Angeles Kings), Ryan Callahan (New York Rangers), Jack Johnson (Columbus Blue Jackets).

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Coach: Dan Bylsma. The Pittsburgh Penguins coach lacks international experience, but he has proved to be a quick study in the NHL. The respected coach's positive approach seems like a good fit for this team.

Analysis: It's not too difficult to figure out the first 14 players. The Americans will go back to many of the 2010 players, but there will be new faces, such as Max Pacioretty (Montreal Canadiens) and maybe James van Riemsdyk (Toronto Maple Leafs). Because the tournament will be played on a wider ice surface, the Americans might find a spot for Keith Yandle (Phoenix Coyotes), a high-quality puck mover. Poile said he would look for skaters. Competition for the role-player positions will be keen.

Roster questions: Alex Galchenyuk (Canadiens), 19, was an offensive hero for the USA at the worlds. Will he develop enough over the first three months of the season to grab a roster spot? Brandon Saad (Blackhawks) is another young player whose development will be watched.

Strengths: Goaltenders, high-quality scorers on the wing, gritty competitors, effective defensemen.

Weaknesses: No true No. 1 center. The Americans miss the days when they had Mike Modano, Jeremy Roenick, Pat LaFontaine and Doug Weight.

Forecast: The USA is a B-plus team that could win a medal if it does A work for the length of this tournament.


A case can be made that Canada should be favored in every international hockey tournament based on overall talent and unwavering enthusiasm for the mission.

No country has more interest in hockey than Canada. Every Canadian player grows up with the double dream of wanting to winning a Stanley Cup and representing his country. Canadians put their hearts into these tournaments because they know the entire nation will be watching.

Recent Olympic history: The Canadians are the reigning Olympic champs, having defeated the USA for the 2010 gold medal in Vancouver. Canada and also won gold in Salt Lake City in 2002. Before then, the Canadians had not won a gold in hockey since 1952.

Core players: Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins), who scored the gold-medal clinching overtime goal in 2010, Jonathan Toews and Duncan Keith (Blackhawks), Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry (Anaheim Ducks), Steven Stamkos (Tampa Bay Lightning), John Tavares (New York Islanders), Shea Weber (Nashville Predators), Eric Staal (Carolina Hurricanes) and Patrice Bergeron (Boston Bruins).

Goaltending options: The competition to be Canada's goalie is too close to call. If Roberto Luongo (Vancouver Canucks) plays well in October, November and December, why wouldn't Canada go back to him? He has an Olympic gold medal and two world championship golds in his trophy case. Carey Price (Canadiens) and Corey Crawford (Blackhawks) are the other prime contenders. Mike Smith (Coyotes) and Braden Holtby (Washington Capitals) are also in the mix.

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Coach: Mike Babcock. The Red Wings coach won in Vancouver and has been invited back for the title defense.

Analysis: The Canadians have so much talent that terrific players will be left home. Premium forwards Matt Duchene, Jordan Eberle, Jordan Staal and Chris Kunitz are bubble players. Getzlaf, Eric Staal and Tavares likely will shift to wing. GM Steve Yzerman said a heavy emphasis will be placed on speed, which will help Taylor Hall (Edmonton Oilers). The defense, featuring Norris Trophy winner P.K. Subban (Canadiens) and Alex Pietrangelo (St. Louis Blues), will be overflowing with skill.

Roster question: Can the Canadians find room for NHL scoring champion Martin St. Louis? The smallish Tampa Bay winger didn't make the squad in Vancouver.

Strengths: No country can measure up to a center ice crew of Crosby, Stamkos, Toews and Bergeron. If anyone gets hurt, Staal moves back to center.

Weaknesses: The Canadians would love to have a bona fide superstar in net because they have stars at every other position.

Forecast: Canada has all-world fans to go with an all-world lineup. You'll see Canadian fans all over Sochi when Canada goes to the title game.

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The Russians face more pressure than any other athletes in the Olympic hockey tournament because they are playing in their homeland.

Oddsmakers have pegged them as the pre-tournament favorite. The Russian people expect them to win. For the Russians, any finish that doesn't include a gold medal might feel like a disappointment.

Recent Olympic history: The Russians have yet to win gold since the NHL began allowing its players to participate in the Olympics. They won a silver medal in 1998, losing to the Czech Republic in the championship game. The Russians won bronze in 2002.

Core players: Pavel Datsyuk (Red Wings), Ilya Kovalchuk (Kontinental Hockey League), Alex Ovechkin (Capitals), Evgeni Malkin (Penguins), Alexander Radulov (KHL), Alexander Semin (Hurricanes), Slava Voynov (Kings), Andrei Markov (Canadiens).

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Goaltending options: Vezina Trophy winner Sergei Bobrovsky (Blue Jackets) seems to be the favorite as No. 1. But Semyon Varlamov (Colorado Avalanche) has a good reputation with Russian officials because he was strong in net in leading the Russians to a world championship in 2012. Evgeni Nabokov also is in the mix, along with KHL veterans Konstantin Barulin and Vasily Koshechkin.

Coach: Zinetula Bilyaletdinov. He was an assistant coach with the Coyotes and original Winnipeg Jets in the 1990s.

Analysis: This will be a very scary offensive team, and Russia's defense might be better than you think. Sergei Gonchar's best years might be behind him, but Voynov is a rising difference-maker. The Russians will have a handful of KHL players on the team, and that could include veteran defensemen Denis Denisov and Alexei Medvedev or others who will be very comfortable on the wider European ice surfaces.

Roster question: Are talented youngsters Vladimir Tarasenko (Blues) and Nail Yakupov (Edmonton Oilers) ready to compete on this big stage?

Strengths: The Russians should have the tournament's most dynamic offense.

Weaknesses: Will their goaltending be good enough? Goaltending seems to have been a question mark for Russia since Vladislav Tretiak retired.

Forecast: We could be looking at home-ice disadvantage. Enormous pressure will be heaped upon this team. The Russians seem ripe to be upset in the quarterfinals.


Sweden has to be considered among the Olympic favorites, because it is the reigning world champion and boasts goalie Henrik Lundqvist.

Swedish hockey culture has become somewhat North Americanized. The Swedes know how to use their speed to take advantage of the wider European ice sheet, but they also know how to thrive in a North American physical style of game.

Recent Olympic history: Sweden has one medal in the NHL era: gold in 2006. Mats Sundin, Daniel Alfredsson, Peter Forsberg, Nicklas Lidstrom and Lundqvist were on that team.

Core players: Lundqvist (Rangers); Erik Karlsson (Ottawa Senators); Daniel and Henrik Sedin, Alex Edler (Canucks); Alfredsson, Johan Franzen, Henrik Zetterberg and Niklas Kronwall (Red Wings); Oliver Ekman-Larsson (Coyotes); Nicklas Backstrom (Capitals).

Goaltending options: Lundqvist will be the most revered goalie in a strong field in Sochi. He is Sweden's No. 1. Jhonas Enroth (Sabres) was in net when Sweden won at worlds. Viktor Fasth (Anaheim Ducks) is in the mix.

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Coach: Par Marts. He is the coach for the HV71 team in Sweden.

Analysis: With Henrik Sedin, Backstrom, and Alex Steen and Patrik Berglund (Blues) at center, the Swedes have a forward group that measures up nicely against any other country's. When a coach is looking at Gabriel Landeskog (Avalanche) and Loui Eriksson (Bruins) playing on his third line, he knows he has a deep roster. All of the Swedish defensemen move the puck slickly, and Karlsson is the world's top difference-maker in rushing the puck.

Roster question: Is there room for Niklas Hjalmarsson (Blackhawks) among the top six defensemen? He's highly respected around the NHL, but if he gets a spot, Victor Hedman (Lightning) or Tobias Enstrom (Winnipeg Jets) becomes No. 7. That doesn't make sense either. The Swedes are deep.

Strengths: The goaltending and defense are impressive. The Swedish defense could be Edler (suspended for the first two games), Karlsson, Kronwall, Enstrom, Ekman-Larsson and Hedman. Karlsson could be unstoppable on the big ice.

Weaknesses: Alfredsson's skills aren't what they once were. Franzen is inconsistent. Sweden's recent Olympic history is checkered, one strong tournament tucked in a poor body of work.

Forecast: The Swedes are a dark-horse candidate to bring home gold.


The Finns always are more competitive than the hockey world thinks they should be.

They are deep in net and boast enough quality NHL players to be a factor in Olympic tournaments. Since NHL players started participating at the Olympics in 1998, the Finns have placed heavy emphasis on bringing home a medal. They have been rewarded for their efforts.

Recent Olympic history: Finland is the only country that has claimed three medals in the NHL era: bronze in 1998, silver in 2006 and bronze in 2010.

Core players: Teemu Selanne (Ducks), 43, will be offered the opportunity to play in his sixth Olympics. Also: Mikko Koivu and Mikael Granlund (Wild), Saku Koivu (Ducks), Kimmo Timonen (Flyers), Tuomo Ruutu (Hurricanes) and Valtteri Filppula and Sami Salo (Lightning).

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Goaltending options: Finland's goaltending pool is too deep to project a No. 1. It probably will come down to Pekka Rinne (Predators) vs. Tuukka Rask (Bruins). But how can you count out Antti Niemi (San Jose Sharks) or Niklas Backstrom (Wild)?

Coach: Erkka Westerlund. The former national team player was coach of the 2006 silver medal team.

Analysis: A key for Finland will be whether Granlund is ready to light it up offensively against NHL competition. He's going to be a crowd-pleaser, but it might not be this season. The Finns also will need a strong offensive series out of Mikko Koivu and Filppula. But equally important will be the play of less-heralded Finns such as Lauri Korpikoski (Phoenix Coyotes), Ville Leino (Sabres) and Sean Bergenheim (Florida Panthers).

Roster question: Is there enough room for highly regarded Panthers center prospect Aleksander Barkov? He has a good chance to end up on Finland's team.

Strengths: Other countries are envious of the Finns' goaltending depth.

Weaknesses: Selanne, Saku Koivu, Timonen and Salo are in the late stages of their careers. This team's NHL cast seems less impressive than in the past. Remember the days of Jari Kurri, Esa Tikkanen, Jere Lehtinen, Teppo Numminen, Jyrki Lumme and others?

Forecast: The Finns' bid for a medal seems like it will fall short. But that probably was said before the three tournaments in which they did medal.


Choosing the Czech Republic's best player today is a matter of debate, but there's no doubt Devils right wing Jaromir Jagr, 41, remains the face of Czech hockey.

Jagr played a significant role in helping the Czech Republic win a gold medal in 1998. Sixteen years later, Jagr, barring injury, he'll be an important player for the Czech team when the Olympics are in Sochi.

The Czech program is perceived to be in decline, but the potential Olympic roster shows considerable talent.

Recent Olympic history: The Czechs won gold in 1998 and bronze in 2006.

Core players: David Krejci (Bruins), Patrik Elias, Marek Zidlicky and Jagr (Devils), Jakub Voracek (Flyers), Tomas Plekanec (Canadiens), Tomas Fleischmann (Panthers) and Milan Michalek (Senators).

Goaltending options: Ondrej Pavelec (Jets) is the top candidate. Tomas Vokoun (Penguins), Michal Neuvirth (Capitals) and Petr Mrazek (Red Wings) are other possible choices.

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Coach: Alois Hadamczik. He coached the team to the bronze medal in 2006.

Analysis: The Czechs' center group includes Krejci, Elias, Plekanec and Martin Hanzal (Coyotes). That's a proven foursome. Krejci increases his production in important games. When you also have Voracek, Michalek, Fleischmann, Jagr and others on the wing, the Czechs have to be considered a factor in the medal race. Jagr is an emotional player, particularly during international competition. He will get the Czech passions stirred up.

Roster question: Are there enough quality defensemen? The rise of Jakub Kindl (Red Wings) last season helps. Michal Rozsival (Blackhawks) played well during his team's title run. Rostislav Klesla and Zbynek Michalek (Coyotes), plus Roman Polak (Blues), are solid.

Strengths: If you play sloppy defense against the Czechs, they can make you pay. The Czechs can score.

Weaknesses: The Czechs lack an elite-level No. 1 defenseman, and goaltending is a question mark.

Forecast: The Czechs have enough talent to be dangerous and not quite enough to be considered a medal favorite.


The fact that Slovakia (2012) and Switzerland (2013) have won silver medals in the last two world championships is a reminder that other countries are expanding their ability to compete on the international stage.

A look at the other competitors in Sochi:


No one in the hockey world would be stunned if Slovakia was in the medal hunt. Led by Zdeno Chara (Bruins), Marian Hossa (Blackhawks) and others, the Slovaks can present problems at both ends of the ice. Slovakia lost to Finland in the bronze medal game in Vancouver.

Core players: Chara, Hossa, Marian Gaborik (Blue Jackets), Jaroslav Halak (Blues), Michal Handzus (Blackhawks) and Andrej Sekera (Hurricanes).


Don't forget that the Swiss upset Canada in the 2006 Games in Torino and took the eventual champion Canadians to a shootout before losing in Vancouver in 2010. With Jonas Hiller (Anaheim Ducks) in net, the Swiss can be a scary opponent.

Core players: Mark Streit (Flyers), Roman Josi (Predators), Raphael Diaz (Canadiens), Nino Niederreiter (Wild), Luca Sbisa (Ducks), Sven Baertschi (Calgary Flames), Damien Brunner (Devils) and Yannick Weber (Canucks).


Although Austria has some top players, it doesn't yet have the depth to be competitive against NHL-laden teams.

Core players: Thomas Vanek (Sabres) and Michael Grabner (Islanders).


The country has one exceptional player in Anze Kopitar (Kings).

Core players: Former NHL player Jan Mursak should be on the team. He is playing in the Kontinental Hockey League.


Kaspars Daugavins was the only Latvian to play in the NHL last season, and he has signed in Switzerland. Arturs Kulda (Jets) is coming back to North America this season after playing in the KHL.

Core players: Sabres first-round pick Zemgus Girgensons, 19, could make the team. Former NHL defenseman Oskars Bartulis is Latvian.


Mats Zuccarello (Rangers) is the only Norwegian who played in the NHL last season.

Core players: Former NHL player Ole-Kristian Tollefsen will be one of the team's leaders.