While in the past the Russians have had one of the most talented forward rosters in any of the tournaments, arguably the only team that offensively can compete with Canada, if not more skill than Canada (in the past). But with Datsyuk no longer playing, center depth is a HUGE problem going into this tournament.
Goaltending probably the best in the tournament, and wingers that are undeniably elite talents, but that center depth is really going to hurt. This is also probably the best defence core that Team Russia has ever had. Which sadly, does not compete with the defence cores of Canada, Sweden & U.S.A.
A huge problem Russia posses each year is they load a team with superstar talented players, but they do not have the "dirty area" players that can play shut down, hard nose hockey. While yes, players like Ovechkin can throw his body around, they don't have a player like team Canada used to in a Ryan Getzlaf who when it comes to these tournaments, puts his pride aside as a first line star, and plays the 4th line shutdown hard working role.
