Team Czech Republic

Back, after feeding and changing my daughter! We are here to present the Czech Republic's team for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics!

Goalies:
Ondrej Pavelec (Thrashers), Jakub Stepanek (Vitkovice Ostrava), Tomas Vokoun (Panthers)

I am honestly not certain which one to go with when it comes to being the #1 goalie in this one. It will probably be Vokoun, although he has kind of shrunk into mediocrity since joining the Panthers. He is the one who has had, however, the most success with his career. I would expect a split in time between him and Pavelec, who is playing decently for the Thrashers this year. I'd have to say that this is definitely the weak link for the Czech team, which is a really bad place to have your weakness.

Defense:
Miroslav Blatak (KHL), Jan Hejda (Blue Jackets), Tomas Kaberle (Maple Leafs), Filip Kuba (Senators), Pavel Kubina (Thrashers), Zbynek Michalek (Coyotes), Roman Polak (Blues), Marek Zidlicky (Wild)

A pretty solid defensive unit here, led by Pavel Kubina who is among the NHL leaders in scoring among defensemen. He is a great weapon on the power play with a big shot that seems to have eyes. He passes well, also, and makes smart decisions. He is also an awesome +15. Which means that he will not be giving up goals while he is on the ice. Kaberle is another offensive weapon. He has 32 assists on the year for the Maple Leafs. Look for him to help create some offense both 5 on 5 and with the man advantage. As a whole the unit is +6, which isn't bad, but isn't great. Especially when you look at the fact that some of them are either very +, or they are very -. Hopefully, for them, they will be able to balance that out in time for the tournament.

Forwards:
Petr Cajanek (KHL), Roman Cervenka (Slavia Prague), Patrik Elias (Devils), Martin Erat (Predators), Tomas Fleischmann (Capitals), Martin Havlat (Wild), Jaromir Jagr (KHL), David Krejci (Bruins), Milan Michalek (Senators), Tomas Plekanec (Canadiens), Tomas Rolinek (KHL), Josef Vasicek (KHL)

A lot of familiar names on this list, and a lot of names that are in Russia, but have also had a decent amount of playing time in the NHL. Vasicek, Cajanek have both played decent amounts of time in the NHL. Firstly, I have to say that I am somewhat shocked by a name that is not on the list. The Czechs have left out Milan Hejduk, of the Colorado Avalanche, who has played the last 3 Olympics with the Czechs and is having a darn good season with the Avs this year. I think that will hurt them. However, inclusions of sure scorers like Elias, Havlat, and Jagr, should hopefully keep them scoring. Plus, Martin Erat is having an amazing year in Nashville this year, and should be able to chip in with some decent scoring. Milan Michalek is also scoring a good amount for the Senators and will be a good second or third line scoring threat. All in all, a pretty strong team.

Team grade: B/B+. I didn't bump them up to an A simply because of the place where they have their biggest weakness. Their goaltending is the thing that is the biggest question mark for them, and when you're trying to win a gold medal against the best competition in the world for 2 weeks, you're going to have a hard time. I think that this team will make the Quarterfinals, and probably the Semis, depending on their draw, but I don't think that they will win a medal this year, to be honest.

Coming right up next, TEAM CANADA!