Continuing on the preview series here at The Oilers Rig is Team Europe. Earlier this week, I looked at Team North America over here and predicted North America to finish somewhere in the middle of the pack.
Team Europe is also a mix and match team, although it is not regulated by an age restriction. It’s an interesting concept mashing some smaller European countries into one mega team, and it’s one that I like. After all, it gives an international flavour to players who might not be able to participate other wise. Sorry Anze Kopitar, Team Slovenia is unlikely to get it’s own team in this tournament any time soon.
However, unlike Team North America, I think Team Europe will be in a dog’s fight to do well in this year’s tournament.
Projected Line Up Preview
Boedker-Kopitar-Hossa
Zuccarello-Draisaitl-Gaborik
Tatar-Nielsen-Hansen
Niederreiter-Bellemare-Rieder
Extras: Thomas Vanek
Josi-Sekera
Chara-Seidenberg
Streit-Sbisa
Extras: Christian Ehrhoff
Andersen
Griess
Halak
Strengths
When I look at the projected forwards, I get a sense of balance throughout the four lines. There is a nice mix of veteran presence and a touch of youth throughout the forward core. While it does not necessarily have dazzling snipers, Team Europe has some very solid two way players, led by one of the best in the league- Anze Kopitar. While Marian Hossa is getting older, he is still one of the better two way wingers in the NHL and it’s a nice mix right off the get go. Team Europe also contains a varied skill set that is not afraid to mix it up with physical play with the additions of Hansen and Bellemare.
In goal, I like these goalies slightly more than the Team North America goaltenders. Andersen is solid, Griess had a fantastic season and, when healthy, Jaroslav Halak is a capable number one goaltender.
Weaknesses
Depth is going to hurt Team Europe in the worst ways. It’s not like Team Canada or Team Sweden where they have to make hard choices to the rosters. While I mentioned Bellemare for his physical play, he’s not an outstanding player by any means.
Defensively I do not like Team Europe in this category. I think Europe has one of the weakest defensive units in this tournament. Yes, Roman Josi is a fine player and Andrej Sekera can play either side (although he’s better on the left), I worry about the age factor catching up to Chara and his recently bought out former partner, Dennis Seidenberg. The third pairing is brutal: Mark Streit not so much, but Luca Sbisa? It must have been real slim pickings to have to choose Sbisa.
Who To Watch
I think the focus here for Oilers fans is pretty easy: Leon Draisaitl and Andrej Sekera. Draisaitl should be given some pretty decent minutes in this tournament and will be playing with some quality line mates. I like having Zuccarello and Gaborik with Draisaitl as it’s a nice blend of skill and speed. We all know Draisaitl is riding from an impressive 51 point campaign in his sophmore year and he looked solid in the World Championship.
Speaking about the World Championship, Andrej Sekera often looked like Team Slovakia’s best player. I like Sekera as a capable second pairing guy, à la Jeff Petry, who can also play top pairing minutes. Here, like Draisaitl, he will be given prime minutes with a capable partner.
Expect both Oilers to be playing a big role for Team Europe.
Biggest Snubs
Hey, if guys like Thomas Vanek and PE Bellamore are on your team, there isn’t much there to get snubbed. It’s sort of like Team North America except it doesn’t have the quality.
Jerseys
Poor Team Europe, you guys got the short stick when it came to the jerseys. I think Team Europe has the worst jerseys in the tournament. The logo itself is really innovative, having a negative space creating an E as it’s logo. I really love it when sports teams do that. However, the rest of the jersey is a huge pile of meh. I am not a fan of the home jerseys being two shades of blue, split down the middle vertically. I’m a jersey traditionalist and this is not a look that sits well with me. The white jerseys kind of continue that trend with blue stripes on one side and darker blue stripes on the other.
No thank you Team Europe.
Prediction
I have Team Europe finishing near the bottom of the tournament this year. I have them in 7th, close to the basement due to the lack of depth on the blue line and the lack of fire power on the roster. That said, Team Europe does have a nice balance of a roster filling a variety of skill sets. Yet, that will not help them overcome powerhouses like Team Canada, who’s fourth line could end up being a top line on Team Europe.
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