Swedish phenomenon?

[razzamaztaz]

What I can see out of all European countries Swedish players are really dominating. There's 5 Swedes in top 30 point leaders (and if Backstrom hadn't been injured there had been 6), in comparison there's only two russians and two czecks.

There's 3 swedish rookies in top point leaders, can't even see any other europeans there (correct me if I'm wrong).

There is only superhot goalie (Lundqvist), but there is a ton of Swedish goalies, Gustavsson, Lindback, Hedberg, Karlsson, Markstrom and others I've forgotten.

WC junior gold went to Sweden.

There's lots of Swedish talent still not in NHL, most of all you should put this name in your head: Silvferberg. Forget Landeskog, I haven't seen such a talent since Forsberg.

Amazingly, none of these are hardly talked about in Swedish media, not even the Sedins. When the Sedins still played in Sweden there was a Sedin twin hysteria, but then they went to NHL, it took a few years to blossom, and now they hardly get mentioned. Nor any of our young players. I haven't seen such a broad strong swedish player base since the golden years (mid 90's) and yet our media miss it. Now I wonder, does anyone else over there talk about this, or does most of these players happen to be lowprofile too-nice non-social types no media cares about?

Imo, give it a few more years with the young upcoming talent and Sweden could have a dominating national team grabbing more Olympic gold.

[30ranfordfan]

Can't comment on any of the coverage in Sweden - but I think you're absolutley correct in assessing how good the talent coming out of Sweden is.

There are some great players already in the NHL, playing really great hockey. A Swede will probably win the Calder, and the Vezina. Looks like one is going to lead the league in assists (again) too. Some very good players doing very good things.

Since the NHL started sending players to the Olympics (heck, even before!) Sweden should have always been in the conversation as to who is likely to get into a game for a medal. Could they be the favorites in 2014? Absolutley.

[razzamaztaz]

Nah I wouldn't say favorites, Canada always got way too much talent, but I think we've sailed up as second. I really thought 2-3 years back Russia would come big and dominate, not sure what happened. It's sad to see so few collect them though, I mean, how many Loui Eriksson collectors are there (only know of one), Sedins got a few but not many. Not even Lundqvist, being on a hobbywise good team, got as many collectors as he "should have". I feel russians get more attention. It must be the quiet Swedish way that scares people off lol

[afholmes87]

Yeah, Detroit hasn't been on to something there for the past 20 years, have they? ;)

[ravens_creed]

A Swede will probably win the Calder, and the Vezina. Looks like one is going to lead the league in assists (again) too. Some very good players doing very good things.

Very possibly the Norris Trophy as well.