Now I have completed 3 countries’ all time teams. The players in this lineup are all extremely talented, fast and skilled with the puck. Compared to the United States (link below), which team is stronger?

https://www.capfriendly.com/armchair-gm/team/1318923

I think the forward russian are better but the blue line his definitely weaker!

Sweet

I would also try to find a spot for Alexei Kovalev.

Yes the Russian team is built on puck moving defensemen.

You are right, I completely forgot about him. Such a skillful and tricky player in his prime. Maybe he can take Kovalchuk’s place?

Prime Kovalchuk ate people alive

Also shoutout to Datsyuk who might be a top 5 player of all time

Yeah but over the year the russian haven’t grown a lot of elite defenceman like the usa! If tou compare just the three first defenceman on each team the usa are way ahead! Just a more complete squad! Thats why since the olympics have put nhl player that the russian have so much difficulty too reach podium! You win with defence

Have you seen Datsyuk’s isolated impact from I think the 08/09 season? You’d think god was playing hockey

May go kasparaitis over tverdovsky, but that’s one solid team, the transition game and outlet passes would be fast

All time russian or all time nhlers?

I wanted to say maybe best of all time, but I know that wouldn't fly well around here. He's like Bergeron on steroids - on steroids.

Scariest part is he was probably a bit removed from his prime at that point. I mean I'm an atheist, so the only reasonable explanation is that God was indeed playing hockey with a red #13 on his back

Anywhere, anything

Well obviously the United States are a more disciplined team when it comes to defensive play. The Russians are an all out attacking team that don’t care about defence and that is why they never achieve anything as a country. However I do believe the Russian defence is underrated compared to what most people credit them for, like Markov and Gonchar were very good at both ends of the ice in their prime.

As a Pens fan I have mixed feelings over Kasparaitis. He used to intimidate Lemieux so much but he was a hero when he came to the Steel City. Highly underrated player with great defensive abilities. I didn’t know whether or not to include him because I saw he was from Lithuania like Danius Zubrus. Plus I felt Tverdovsky was one of the best puck moving defenseman of his era.

He could probably still be the best 3c in the nhl

That would assume that you put him there with gretzky lemieux and bobby orr! Over maurice richard gordie howe ray bourque steve yzerman jaromir jagr patrick roy martin brodeur peter stastny dale
Hawerchuk gilbert dionne! I think datsyuk is a great players but he still not be in the top 10! But if you mean pure skill ill put him up there because he was magical with those soft hand

In terms of individual skill, I don’t think there’s ever been a player quite as good as Datsyuk. Maybe Mario before his injuries.

Just on need, there’s enough skill, need a little muscle, konstantinov going to need someone to kill penalties with, ya I was questioning the same, where he was from, still remember a game in Brandon, tverdovsky first year in North America, behind his own net 10 seconds left in the period, goes end to end and scores before the horn goes off, may have been some home ice advantage scoring, but you could instantly tell where he was headed with that skating ability

This is the correct take

I disagree most of those players were on the Red Army team. Where not doing what the coach said could land you in the gulag.

I'd add Yashin, Kovalchuk and Kovalev.

I do like this roster a few players always get overlooked but you've added all of them. Excellent Job!!!

I understand what you’re saying, and i really thibk that markov would be the best of them all if that it been for all those injuries! He was so dominant on the powerplay! And made poo defenceman look like all star! Sheldon souray, mike komisarek both should be really grateful for markov because he made them sign big deal for big money! He was playing for a poor montreal team for almost all
Off is carrer and still put some really good number, and the injuries right at the prime of is career really put shadow on is great achievement

That’s right, Tverdovsky was real good at his peak. The issue with Russia is that they have too much talent and ego in the team it sometimes doesn’t blend well. They are like Brazil and Argentina in soccer, a bunch of highly skilled undisciplined clowns.

No doubt, Markov was extremely capable. If it hadn’t been for those injuries and poor teams, I think he could’ve won the Norris and surpassed Fetisov.

Yepp mario !! Hes shoot and score!! He beat him like a rented mule! When he put the puvk between the leg of ray bourque! I do believe that he was over gretzky but injuries have add him