Goalkeepers: Alexander Eremenko, Vasily Koshechkin.
Konstantin Barulin signed a sentence, playing poorly against the Austrian national team, although claims there can be brought against almost all hockey players. But the two goalkeepers left in the application say that Vyacheslav Bykov hopes for an early release overseas of either Evgeny Nabokov or Ilya Bryzgalov. In an ideal situation, they can finish the season by the end of the second stage of the competition. And if one of them arrives, you will have to ignore the acclimatization, large areas and immediately rush into battle. At the same time, Eremenko and Koshechkin should be mentally prepared that they will be put in reserve for decisive matches. The only trouble is that Nabokov, for example, has already stated that he is unlikely to go to the capital if he leaves the playoffs. And why Bryzgalov is stronger than Eremenko (given all the factors - character, fatigue, flight), it is difficult to understand. Although the coach can be justified. For him, the NHL goalkeeper is a testament to quality.
Defenders: Vitaly Atyushov, Sergey Gonchar, Denis Grebeshkov, Alexey Emelin, Maxim Kondratyev, Andrey Markov, Ilya Nikulin, Vitaly Proshkin.
It is surprising that Alexey Emelin remained in the team. In the last three matches, he was the worst, and the defeat from the Swedes in Stockholm can even be written to his account. At the same time, Bykov did not call Vitaly Vishnevsky and Andrei Zyuzin, deciding to use their services, obviously, only in case of force majeure.
In general, it is clear that there is a shortage of players in the team who are able to efficiently fulfill their direct duties. The real defense players who try to play “to zero”, and not to score a goal, two. Vitaly Atyushov and Andrey Markov. Potter gravitates to attack. Kazan defense players, of course, are also reliable, but primarily due to the activity of partners in the attack. And if, for example, the forwards do not go, then Proshkin and Nikulin do not always cope. Moreover, this was evident even in the championship of Russia. What can we say about world-class rivals?
Apparently, Vyacheslav Bykov himself is aware of all this, and therefore keeps Vishnevsky and Zyuzin on a note.
Forwards: Danis Zaripov, Sergey Zinoviev, Ilya Kovalchuk, Nikolay Kulemin, Evgeni Malkin, Alexei Morozov, Ivan Nepryaev, Alexander Ovechkin, Alexander Radulov, Peter Happy, Alexander Frolov, Alexander Kharitonov.
Vyacheslav Bykov has two dubious decisions. He refused the services of Sergei Mozyakin and Alexei Mikhnov. Mikhnov, for example, last year was one of the best in our team at the World Cup. And now he, even if he missed a couple of points in the match with Austria, was the most noticeable on the site.
Sergey Mozyakin is one of the most technical hockey players playing in Russia. Able to defend well, besides. Probably, in the fourth link with Ivan Nepryaev in the center, he would be quite useful.
Nothing at all is known about the potential of Alexander Radulov, who, although he showed good hockey at Nashville, has not played in Europe for too long. In addition, do not forget that this player had strong partners in the NHL. And while it is not clear why he is better than the same Mozyakin, if you discard the reverence for NHL players.
Mozyakin or Mikhnov could be taken instead of Alexander Kharitonov. But the Dynamo striker is a proven hard worker who knows how to cling to the pucks. And a proven person.
Do not forget that three more hockey players? Bykov will add to the second stage. It is still unknown who he is counting on. Perhaps the same Mozyakin will appear later.
Alexey Shevchenko