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Slovakia names Olympic roster

The Slovaks probably have the most diverse mix of NHL and non-NHL talent, with about half the team coming from the KHL. They're always underdogs but with decent goaltending and a few stars, could upset one of the big teams:

Goal: Peter Budaj, Jaroslav Halak, Rastislav Stana
Defence: Zdeno Chara, Milan Jurcina, Richard Lintner, Andrej Meszaros, Andrej Sekera, Martin Strbak, Lubomir Visnovsky
Forwards: Lubos Bartecko, Martin Cibak, Pavol Demitra, Marian Gaborik, Michal Handzus, Marcel Hossa, Marian Hossa, Tomas Kopecky, Zigmund Palffy, Branko Radivojevic, Miroslav Satan, Jozef Stumpel, Richard Zednik

While only 12 of the 23 players here are actually playing in the NHL, almost everyone's going to be familiar to North American hockey fans. Palffy, of course, was a star with the Islanders and Kings before the lockout and made a comeback the past few years in the Slovak league. Satan was a UFA this summer who never found a home. A handful of the others had brief NHL careers and are now in the KHL.

The only two snubs from the NHL? Marek Svatos and Boris Valabik.

Potential lineup:

Zednik - Handzus - Gaborik
Hossa - Stumpel - Hossa
Palffy - Demitra - Satan
Bartecko - Radivojevic - Kopecky
Cibak

Chara - Visnovsky
Meszaros - Jurcina
Strbak - Sekera
Lintner

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Every player on Slovakia has played in the NHL at some point. But as to your Slovakian decline thoughts earlier, it should be noted that the youngest forwards are still Gaborik, Marcel Hossa, and Kopecky.

Hockey blogging can't get any flatter.

by saskhab on Dec 29, 2009 4:48 PM CST reply actions  

I really do not know what Team Slovakia was thinking picking Marcel Hossa over Marek Svatos. Coming from a huge New York Rangers fan I know he is not that great of a player but from my understanding he is playing amazingly in the KHL. Okay its the KHL the league that even Chris Simon also played amazingly so take it with the grain of salt that it is.

by b4mv01 on Dec 29, 2009 6:08 PM CST reply actions  

Funny to see Stana’s name there as the third goalie. He was a former prospect of the Capitals before the lockout.

by Forsch31 on Dec 29, 2009 6:16 PM CST reply actions  

Will Demitra be ready?

I’m a Canucks fan, and I’m a little baffled by Demitra’s status. I recently heard he was skating with the team, but I’d also heard that he was months away from returning still.

by dbarefoot on Dec 29, 2009 10:17 PM CST reply actions  

I know it’s unlikely due to the grouping, but what I’d give to see to watch Orpik line-up and drill Zigmund Palffy, who straight up quit on the Penguins 3 years ago.

/not bitter I swear
//OK maybe a little

Pensburgh.com

You come at the king, you best not miss.

by Hooks Orpik on Dec 29, 2009 10:51 PM CST reply actions  

Holy crap, make that 4 years ago. Time flies when you’re winning Cups. Well, not you Palffy.

Pensburgh.com

You come at the king, you best not miss.

by Hooks Orpik on Dec 29, 2009 10:52 PM CST up reply actions  

Can you say

Underdog?

Writer for Pinstripe Alley.
"Today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of this earth."
"So I close in saying that I may have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for."

by Brandon C. on Jan 2, 2010 9:47 PM CST reply actions  


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