I know how you're thinking, but Forsberg is definitely still a world class player. His passing skills are as good as ever and he has a supernatural eye for the game. I know of course that the NHL is a better league, but in the 06 olympics for example Kenny Jönsson was appointed the tournaments best defenceman-title, and he stopped playing in the NHL two years before in 04. In fact he even played in the second division in Sweden. I think for some players of a certain caliber, relatively small differences between leagues doesn't impact on their skill, as long as they keep in shape.
I suppose your right, we'll just have to wait and see. I think most teams will have younger players, other than experienced ones, I mean sure the occasional veteran will be in there somewhere.
I think Canada is going to be the favorite this time around, which they should have been last time...Though If they give Crosby captaincy...I'll kill myself...he's great and all but seriously this is a whole other level here...your not just playing for a team, your representing an entire nation. Not that I'm doubting his leadership capabilities but, he's not ready to take that throne just yet.
Yzermnan was at the Habs/Caps game last night, definitely scouting Mike Green, but I seriously hope he took a look at Michael Cammalleri because that guy is on absolute fire since he got to Montreal...Everyone is like oh he doesn't have Iginla to feed him the puck. Well he's got 12 goals so yeah lol.
As for Russia, definitely another favorite, but I have a bad feeling about there Defense, with Andrei Markov out till February...Which is the pretty much one of the best all-around defenseman in the game right now.
My top 4 teams to hit the semi's will definitely be this:
Canada
Russia
Sweden
Czech Republic (Ondrej Pavelec will definitely backstop the team and get them somewhere if he plays great)
USA (I put them in there because I have no idea on how there team is gonna turn out.)