Anza Kopitar will be lucky to play more than four games for Team Slovenia Hockey in the Winter Olympics. Slovenia defied all odds by qualifying for the games with Kopitar and Detroit Red Wings prospect Jan Mursak as the only players most hockey fans would know.
Kopitar’s father Matjaz coaches Team Slovenia.
Forwards
Kopitar and Mursak are the team’s best forwards. Brothers Marcel and David Rodman helped get Slovenia this far with good enough play in the qualifying stages. Most of the forwards play in second-tier European leagues.
Defense
Nothing to write home about. This may be the only time any of the defensemen will be able to say an NHL star skated past them en route to scoring.
Goaltending
Robert Kristan is expected to start in net for Risi. If his save percentage is above 85%, then he should go home happy.
Group A opponents
USA, Russia, Slovakia
Projected group finish
4th– 0 points
Projected finish
12th
Follow Jeff on Twitter @sckih_ffej for more sports and entertainment ramblings. Jeff also contributes fantasy advice for The Fantasy Fix.