Dallas, Detroit and Edmonton Olympics Previews

Dallas Stars - Defending Big D

Pack Your Bags!

Loui Eriksson (Sweden) - It could be in a third or even in a second line role depending on how the likes of Kristian Huselius and Daniel Sedin play the next month or so, but make no mistake that Loui - who is on pace for another 30 goal season this year - will be joining the defending gold medalists from Turin, Italy.

Karlis Skrastins (Latvia) - This is kind of a no-brainier considering how thin Latvia is in all positions.  Still, as we've seen so far this season Karlis is a very steady defenseman who also doubles as a puck magnet when opposing players take shots.  He's going to be on the team's top pairing, so unfortunately for Stars fans, we can expect him to have a few more bruises on his body after Vancouver.

Detroit Red Wings - Winging It In Motown

Nicklas Lidstrom-   Pack your bags
On the heels of an official announcement about playing for Team Sweden, Lidas can now be officially added to this list. Lidstrom will be on the top pair for sure but the question of who his other partner will be still remains.

Henrik Zetterberg-  Pack your bags
No doubt about Zetterberg being on the final roster, one of the best players in the NHL will surely be on top line for Team Sweden. Zetterberg is will likely be a set-up man for either winger and be able to contribute a great bit defensively and in the faceoff circle.

MrNorrisTrophy has an incredible preview up, so be sure to check it out.

Edmonton Oilers - The Copper & Blue

Pack Your Bags

Lubomir Visnovsky will be on the first pairing for Slovakia, along with Zdeno Chara.  They are a highly skilled bunch and have a goalie that could knock a major power from the tourney.  Visnovsky will run the power play and use his skating ability and underrated agility to launch the Slovakian attack.  They open with the Czechs, the boys that bounced Slovakia last time around.

Patrick O'Sullivan will likely draw in on the third line alongside Scott Gomez and Bobby Ryan.  O'Sullivan has a game that will do well on the big sheet, now, if he could only score goals.