NHL: The Big Six selecting eight

By Lee Manchur Sports Central Columnist

While countries such as Japan, Belarus, France, Ukraine, and Latvia will be submitting teams to vie for the ice hockey gold medal of the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympic Games, the "lesser known" hockey nations will have little to no chances against the "big six" hockey nations of the defending gold medal champions, the Czech Republic, the United States, Canada, Russia, Sweden, and Finland - all of which finished in the top six at the 1998 games in Nagano.

Those six countries have a considerable advantage over the others. Like the USA basketball "dream team" consisting entirely of NBA players at the Summer Olympics, the Canada's and Russia's of the Winter Olympics will use professional hockey players to fill their roster, making for an unbelievable amount of talent on the ice at any time of the game, whether it be the number one or number four line.

By March 22, the general managers of the six countries, whose rosters will consist primarily of National Hockey League players, must submit a list of eight players who will be attending the Games, while filling the other fifteen spots, at the latest, in November. Here are my picks if I were at the head of any one of these countries:

United States

After their sixth-placed finish in Nagano that had some of Team USA's members trash the Olympic Village, the United States will be looking to rebound on home ice in 2002. This year's team should be able to compete for a medal, but it will be awfully difficult with so many other countries loaded with talent, as well. The home fans will definitely be an important factor in the team's success to repeat their 1980 "Miracle on Ice". Expect this team to do well if goaltending proves to be strong enough against other countries' powerful offense; Brian Boucher (Philadelphia) and Mike Richter (N.Y. Rangers) appear to currently be the top contenders for that position for Team USA. Richter has had his chances in international competition, which is why I chose Boucher for my team. The Top Eight: Tony Amonte (C, Chicago); Mike Modano (C, Dallas); Chris Drury (LW, Colorado); John LeClair (LW, Philadelphia); Bill Geurin (RW, Boston); Brett Hull (RW, Dallas); Brian Leetch (D, NY Rangers); Brian Boucher (G, Philadelphia)

Canada

Although Canada hasn't won Olympic gold since 1954, they are still the number one contenders for the Olympic gold medal in 2002 having won numerous international championships in the past. While Canada is deep in goaltenders - with the list only beginning with names like Curtis Joseph, Martin Brodeur, Eddie Belfour, and Sean Burke - don't expect any netminders to make it to the list of eight in March. The spots for goalie will likely be filled by whoever is playing hot come November.

The Top Eight: Mario Lemieux (C, Pittsburgh); Joe Sakic (C, Colorado); Steve Yzerman (C, Detroit); Theo Fleury (RW, NY Rangers); Luc Robitalle (RW, Los Angeles); Paul Kariya (LW, Anaheim); Chris Pronger (D, St. Louis); Rob Blake (D, Colorado)

Czech Republic

Many of the people from the 1998 gold medal championship team from the Czech Republic in Nagano will be returning in 2002 to take on the world in Salt Lake City. Although goaltender Dominik Hasek has had weak years recently -- comparing them to Dominik Hasek standards -- he should be geared up and as ready as ever to play for his country. The team will run a tight defensive system, but when the opportunities arise, watch for the likes of Jaromir Jagr and Martin Rucinsky to pounce on offensive chances. A lot of important players on Team Czech Republic can be expected to come from the Eastern Conference, and, in particular, the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Top Eight: Robert Lang (C, Pittsburgh); Martin Straka (C, Pittsburgh); Jaromir Jagr (RW, Pittsburgh); Milan Hejduk (RW, Colorado); Patrik Elias (LW, New Jersey); Martin Rucinsky (LW, Montreal); Roman Hamrlik (D, NY Islanders); Dominik Hasek (G, Buffalo)

Russia

Team Russia lost the gold medal game in 1998 by a 1-0 score versus the Czech Republic. It wasn't because their offense or defense was bad, it was just the fact that they ran into a hot goaltender. To do better this year, Russia will have to keep nearly the same solid team, but hope for some better, luckier bounces (the game winning goal was a slap shot from the blue line), as well as a goaltender that can out play Dominik Hasek should they run into him. If there were one team that could beat the Czech Republic in a gold medal game in 2002, I would pick Team Russia.

The Top Eight: Sergei Fedorov (C, Detroit); Bobby Holik (C, New Jersey); Alexei Yashin (C, Ottawa); Pavel Bure (RW, Florida); Sergei Samsonov (RW, Boston); Sergei Gonchar (D, Washington); Sergei Zubov (D, Dallas); Nikolia Khabibulin (G, unsigned)

Note: It is unknown if goaltender Evgeni Nabokov (San Jose) will or will not be able to represent Russia at the Olympics as he played six games for Kazakhstan when he was 18.

Article courtesy of Sports Central