Remember them? The team nobody is talking about.

We are once again on the precipice of yet another Olympiad.  As the three week NHL hiatus begins, much to hockey fan’s dismay, our thirst for hockey is quenched by one of the great events hockey enthusiasts can witness; the Olympic men’s hockey tournament.  This is an event where players trade in their club logos and outrageous contracts for a chance to represent their heritage, culture, and most importantly their flag.  It is a rare opportunity in which the hockey community gets to see Sidney Crosby and Mike Richards on the same team.  How about seeing Evgeni Malkin and Alex Ovechkin on the same line?  Will Ovechkin aim his cross hairs at Nick Backstrom?  Us Caps fans certainly hope not, but Ovechkin’s “predatory style” as coined by Pierre McGuire could potentially go unbiased against club teammates.  Could the now white-hot rivalry between Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin boil over into international competition?  Consider it done.  Crosby holds the edge in number of Stanley Cups, but ask anybody near to Ovechkin and they will tell you that in Ovechkin’s mind, a gold medal over Crosby and the Canadians evens the score.  These are just some of the different scenarios that could unfold in Vancouver, and Gary Bettman may put an end to this come 2014.  But that is for another time.

February 16 marks the beginning of the gold medal defending run for the Tre Kronor.  Team Sweden will be looking to defend their gold medal from Turin in 2006.  And just as they were four years ago, Sweden finds itself flying under the radar and much overlooked.  Here is a look at players on the Swedish Olympic roster, and their respective club teams.

G. Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers
G. Jonas Gustavsson, Toronto Maple Leafs
G. Stefan Liv, Jonskoping
D. Tobias Enstrom, Atlanta Thrashers
D. Magnus Johansson, Linkopings
D. Niklas Kronwall, Detroit Red Wings
D. Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit Red Wings
D. Douglas Murray, San Jose Sharks
D. Johnny Oduya, Atlanta Thrashers
D. Mattias Ohlund, Tampa Bay Lightning
D. Henrik Tallinder, Buffalo Sabres
F. Daniel Alfredsson, Ottawa Senators
F. Nicklas Backstrom, Washington Capitals
F. Loui Eriksson, Dallas Stars
F. Peter Forsberg, MODO
F. Tomas Holmstrom, Detroit Red Wings
F. Patric Hornqvist, Nashville Predators
F. Fredrik Modin, Columbus Blue Jackets
F. Samuel Pahlsson, Columbus Blue Jackets
F. Daniel Sedin, Vancouver Canucks
F. Henrik Sedin, Vancouver Canucks
F. Mattias Weinhandl, Dynamo
F. Henrik Zetterberg, Detroit Red Wings

This year’s team will have the same cast of characters that past Swedish teams have had.  Experience will be a key to this year’s team as 13 of the 23 players on the 2006 gold medal winning team are returning for another run at gold.  Most notably Peter Forsberg.  Forsberg has been out of the NHL for a few years now but despite battling injuries is contributing with MODO in the Swedish Elite League.  A less vigorous schedule in the Elite league should benefit Forsberg’s legs.  It could be argued that the Swedes lack the high scoring fire power of the Russians or the grit of the Canadians, but by no means is this team short on talent. They are just as skilled as any team in this tournament. Their top two centers now are now top four in the NHL in scoring. Henrik Sedin is lighting it up  in Vancouver already and is on pace for a 100 point season. Henrik, along with his brother Daniel have now combined for 130 points. The only center/left wing combination putting up better point totals than the Sedin twins are the combination of Backstrom and Ovechkin.

Which brings me to the player who continues to fly under the radar and is still somewhat underrated in my books. Nicklas Backstrom is making a name for himself and is arguably one of the three best centerman in the NHL. Backstrom is now 4th in the NHL is total points. Trailing NHL coverboy Sidney Crosby by just one point. He has already surpassed his career high in goals with 25 and sits 3rd overall in assists with 48. Backstrom flying under the radar is not the fault of his own, nor is it any intentional lack of coverage by the media. Alex Ovechkin gets most of the attention these days in DC, and deservedly so. But understand that Backstrom is perfectly fine being in the shadow of one of the games best players. Ovechkin thrives in the spot light. Backstrom prefers the attention be elsewhere. Backstrom should enjoy it now because if his current point totals are a taste of what is to come, he’ll be in the spotlight in no time.

The Swedes are blessed to have premier goal scoring talent and play making ability. In addition to the Sedin twins and Nick Backstrom, the Swedes boast Henrik Zetterberg, Daniel Alfredsson, Loui Eriksson, and Thomas Holmstrom just to name a few.

The key to toppling the Russian and Canadian juggernauts will be the ability to stop them. All boils down to defense and goaltending.  Both of which are strong suits for the Swedes.

The backbone of the the Swedish defense will once again be Nicklas Lidstrom.  The six-time Norris trophy winning is once again showing why he is one the game’s greatest defenseman.  He remains a steady contributor on the Red Wings blue with 33 points and a +21.  Expect to see Lidstrom quarterbacking the power play for team Sweden; a power play consisting of the Henrik Sedin, Nick Backstrom, Henrik Zetterberg, and Tomas Holmstrom.  That is down right scary and is on par with any power play this year’s Olympic games will offer.  Puck moving defensemen like Tobias Enstrom and Johnny Oduya will add to the offensive threat this team presents.  The Swedes will also bring the grit needed to hang with the Canadians as Douglas Murray, who is amongst the NHL leaders in hits. 

The final piece of the puzzle is the king.  King Henrik Lundqvist will once again see the bulk of the time in net.  Lundqvist has proven he is capable of winning of playing well and winning international tournaments.  He has participated in multiple World Junior Championship tournaments and carried the load during Sweden’s gold medal run in 2006.  In three appearances in the 2006 games, Lundqvist went 3-0 with a GAA of 2.33 and a save percentage of .901.  Solid numbers.  Should Lundqvist play like he did in 2006 and avoid a Tommy Salo moment, the Swedes should be in good shape.

The countdown to Vancouver has officially begun.  Is this Canada’s tournament to win?  Will they survive the pressure of an entire nation?  Who will stop the Russians offensive assault?  And don’t forget the team nobody is talking about–the Tre Kronor.

Who’s your pick to win Olympic gold in Vancouver?