Photo: Bildbyrån
Peter Forsberg is not completely satisfied with the Swedish squad for the Four Nations.
He thinks the team lacks toughness and is worried that it will be costly for Tre Kronor.
– Everyone is free to think and think what they want, says national team captain Sam Hallam to Sportbladet.
February 13-21, it’s finally time for Tre Kronor to play the Four Nations against the USA, Canada and Finland away in Boston and Montreal. For the first time in nine years (World Cup 2016), the national teams concerned will have full access to all their NHL professionals. During the Wednesday evening, Sweden’s squad was presented by the national team captain Sam Hallam.
Peter Forsberg lacks toughness in Tre Kronor
It is a team with great stars that will represent the Swedish people away in North America in two months. Some of those found in Tre Kronor’s squad are Erik Karlsson, Victor Hedman, Rasmus Dahlin, William Nylander, Mika Zibanejad, Elias Pettersson, Philip Forsberg, Jesper Bratt and the super talents Leo Carlson and Lucas Raymond.
READ MORE: Sam Hallam hits back at harsh criticism of Erik Karlsson
When Viaplay broadcast the selection on Wednesday, the legend was Peter “Foppa” Forsberg on site and commented on what he saw. He was happy with the backup set, but had several question marks when it came to the forwards. He lacks toughness in the squad.
– We have a skilled team. The slopes are amazingly good. We lack a bit of toughness among the forwards Mikael Backlund which might have been accommodated. If we look at the first two chains, there are no giant buffaloes right away. It is important that these guys are in shape when the tournament starts, if you don’t have that and are a little smaller it becomes difficult. We’ll see if we can get past the fantastic slopes in the other teams, he says in the broadcast and adds:
– What I am perhaps most worried about is who will kill when there are two minutes left.
Sam Hallam hits back at Forsberg
Now the union captain Sam Hallam has come out and defended his squad building.
– Everyone is free to think and think what they want and we have a picture of how this team needs to play in this competition. I feel very comfortable with everything from our three goalkeepers to our seven defenders and our thirteen forwards. I hope that everyone is healthy, but then I am also very comfortable that we have a good width and that there are more players available in case there are any injuries, he tells Sportbladet.
READ MORE: The unknown truth about Peter Forsberg: “He completely sucks at it”
He definitely thinks that there are players in the Swedish squad who are tough enough.
– It depends on how you mean it. What is tough? Do you think that Matthias Ekholm is tough? Do you think that Rasmus Andersson is tough? I think so. Are guys who have been playing for over ten years over there and have been well into the playoffs? As Gustav Nyqvistwhich Joel Eriksson Oak. You name it, I can go from top to bottom.
What do you think of Tre Kronor’s squad for the Four Nations? Will we have a chance against the other national teams? Feel free to comment on Sportbibeln’s Facebook page.
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