Team Canada claimed Olympic hockey gold over Team USA in overtime off a slick shot by none other than the Canadian Kid himself Sidney Crosby. Can you ask for a better finish to a great game? Well, as a fan of Team USA I would have preferred a different outcome, but the fact remains that the past two weeks have been nothing short of spectacular as the best players in the world converged in Vancouver for the 2010 Olympic games. Before NHL action resumes again tomorrow night, here’s a quick breakdown of some of the highlights and stories that stuck out over the past two weeks.

First off, I have to mention Team USA. Here is a young squad put together to gather experience for the 2014 games, and they come out of nowhere to place second in the tournament after going undefeated before losing to Canada by one goal in the gold medal game. Talk about spectacular. Ryan Miller played out of his mind and was absolutely the anchor of this team. But what really impressed me was the sheer determination and the effort shown by this squad. Watching the first game where Team USA beat Canada, I was thoroughly impressed with the effort USA put forth to keep their lead in tact. Any time a Canadian player wound up at the point to rip a shot, I saw two guys sliding down to get in the shooting lane to block the shot. You’re not getting paid $6 million a season to block shots in the Olympics. You’re doing it out of pride for your country. Team USA took a blue collar approach and it got them the silver medal. Ryan Miller was visible upset after losing the gold. He has no reason to be. That team had less talent and less star power than a lot of other teams and still worked hard all the way through to the very end. They earned themselves that silver medal and should wear it with pride.

I thought it was great in the preliminary round when Russia played the Czech Republic and the announcers asked Pierre McGuire between the glass what language the teams were speaking. Pierre answered, “Well, on the benched the Russians are speaking Russian and the Czechs are speaking Czech, but when they talk to each other they speak English and they aren’t saying nice things to each other.” It doesn’t take long to learn the swear words in a new language, does it?

Over his storied career, Teemu Selanne has appeared in over 120 international hockey games for Finland, including five appearances in the Winter Olympics, five Ice Hockey World Championships, and the 1996 and 2004 World Cup of Hockey tournament. Selanne ended his international career yesterday with a Bronze medal victory over Slovakia and cemented his place in history as the all-time Olympics points leader with 37 career points. Not too shabby for a guy who taught kindergarten for three years in Finland before becoming an NHL player. 

Marian Hossa can’t seem to catch a break. For two years in a row, first with the Pittsburgh Penguins and then in a devastating Game 7 loss with the Detroit Red Wings, Hossa has failed to place his hands on Lord Stanley. Just yesterday Slovakia entertained a 3-1 lead over Finland going into the third period where Finland scored four unanswered goals to route Slovakia 5-3 for the Bronze. Needless to say I wouldn’t want this guy on my team because it means you will fall just shy of some sort of hardware, whether it be a medal in the Olympics or the Stanley Cup. Can’t wait to see what he does this season with the Chicago Blackhawks.

Did anyone else see Jaromir Jagr get rocked by Alexander Ovechkin at center ice when the Russians played the Czech Republic? To top it off, Ovechkin caused a turnover with the hit that teammate Alexander Semin scooped up and dished off to Evgeni Malkin for a snipe past Vokoun.

Okay, I can make fun of Hossa and Jagr a bit, but in all seriousness, one of the best stories I heard came late one night when Norway was playing. The announcers began talking about Norwegian goaltender Paal Grotnes and the fact that when his time at the Olympics ends, he goes back home to his family and his day job as a carpenter. After working his day shift as a carpenter, he goes out and backstops the Norwegian national team.  We can talk about Canada’s talented roster or Team USA’s blue collar approach to hockey, but these guys all get paid millions of dollars to do what they do night in and night out in the NHL. I think Grotnes is a great story that really exemplifies love for the sport of hockey. They finished close to the bottom of the standings, but they have heart. And that goes a long way in the sport of hockey.

Tomorrow the NHL returns from their two-week hiatus. Trade deadline is March 3, so things will get hectic very quickly in the NHL and it will be back to business as usual and playoff will be here before we know it. For what it’s worth, I had a great time watching the highest caliber players playing on the grandest stage of them all – the Olympics. I look forward to seeing them back at it in 2014.

When it comes to men’s hockey in the winter Olympics, anyone has a shot at gold. Team Sweden turned the hockey world topsy-turvey when they prevailed to take home the gold medal four years ago at the Turin Olympics while Team Canada, always a favorite for gold, finished in a dismal seventh-place. When the elimination rounds hit, teams better come prepared to play at the highest level every night or else it’s one-and-done before a team packs their bags to take the early flight home. EB already posted his predictions on who will take home medals this year, but here is a more in-depth look at who could surprise and teams to keep an eye out for as the Vancouver games get underway.

The Gold Medal Favorites: Canada and Russia. These two teams are stacked from top to bottom with talent. When Ryan Getzlaf potentially centers your third line behind the likes of Sidney Crosby, who is having a career year, and Joe Thornton, you know you have an almost invincible lineup. Anything besides gold would be a disappointment for this Canadian squad, especially after their abysmal finish in Turin. Similarly, Russia is stacked with firepower in the likes of Alexander Ovechkin, Ilya Kovalchuk, Alexander Semin and Evgeni Malkin. Oh, and did I forget to mention that some of those players will have the gifted Pavel Datsyuk feeding them the puck night in and night out? Yikes. It could be a miracle if any defense can stop that type of firing squad. But with both teams the X-factor could be chemistry. In order to be successful, these teams need to check their egos at the door and play like a team.

The Underdogs: Sweden. Defending their gold-medal-winning performance from four years ago certainly won’t be easy, and the Swedes come in as heavy underdogs this year, but that’s the way they like it. With much of the same roster returning, it’s hard to count this team out. What I really like about this team is the healthy mix of offensive players capable of backchecking aggressively and the defenseman able to rush up and contribute on offense. With Henrik Lundquist between the pipes, this team is all-around good. The X-factor here could be Peter Forsberg, who has missed time in recent years nursing a lingering foot injury. He maintains that he is in good health, but it will be interesting to see how he fares against the top athletes in the world.

Don’t Count Out: Finland. This team does surprisingly well in international competition. Bronze in 1994 and 1998 and silver in 2006. Goalie Mikka Kiprusoff has stood on his head at times for the Calgary Flames this season and could easily do so for Finland at the Olympics and lead them into the medal rounds. Not to mention they have a highly touted group of underrated players led by Washington Captials forward Niklas Backstrom, who currently 26 goals and 50 assists this season. And, much like Team Sweden, Team Finland is more than capable of checking their egos at the door to play as a cohesive team. However, the X-factors are numerous for this team. Will Saku Koivu and Teemu Selanne pick up the scoring in what will most likely be their last Olympic appearances? And can Olli Jokinen play with 100 percent effort night in and night out? Every second counts, but like I said, this team does well internationally and may surprise some fans.

I’m Not Giving Up On: Team USA. Talk about a rag-tag group of players. But if nothing else, Team USA sports a lineup of guys who know how to work hard. Sure, they may not have the firepower of a team like Russia, but Zach Parise, Patrick Kane, Phil Kessel and Bobby Ryan (pictured) are all capable of finding the back of the net. Ryan Malone and David Backes add toughness as well as scoring depth. Ryan Miller is having a career year in goal and Jonathan Quick has established himself as a number one goaltender as well. Plus, the team now has a rallying point with the recent death of Team USA GM Brian Burke’s son. That extra incentive to work hard for Burke in memory of his son could push this team over the hump and right into the medal rounds.

In the elimination rounds, it’s anyone’s game. A bad bounce either way could spell the difference between the gold medal game and going home early to catch the rest of the tournament from the comfort of your own living room. Every team needs to be ready to compete at 100 percent every time they step on the ice. Gold medals aren’t easy to win, that’s why they only come around once every four years.

The Detroit Red Wings should trade captain Nicklas Lidstrom. There. I said it. Now, before you go and call me a blasphemer and start setting up the logs beneath the stake, you need to hear me out.

Lidstrom currently makes a little less than $7.5 million a year and is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent (UFA) at the end of this season. From interviews that I’ve read and from what I’ve been able to gather, Lidstrom and GM Ken Holland have yet to discuss a contract extension let alone Lidstrom even committing to playing hockey next season. Lidstrom has stated that he will make that decision at the end of the season after evaluating how he feels going forward with his career. Let’s not forget that Lidstrom is pushing 40 (his 40th will come on April 28) and may only have a small handful of good seasons left in him…

Let’s also not forget that the Red Wings have been, well, extremely mediocre for the entire season. They are barely clinging to a playoff spot in a very tightly contested Western Conference race that features a lot of very good teams. The streak of consecutive playoff appearances very well might end this season. That’s a reality that many Wings fans need to understand. Even the almighty Red Wings are not invincible to a salary cap. And like most teams in a salary cap era, when the trade deadline hits sometimes you need to unload assets in order to stockpile for your future.

Lidstrom is a highly coveted player and could easily improve both the defense and offense of any team. With him being a UFA, why not send out the feelers and see who bites? So here is part one of the plan in all it’s glory. Trade Lidstrom. In return, get back a high-end prospect or a few draft picks. Lidstrom, who has had a Hall-of-Fame career, deserves the chance to go to a contender and work toward a 5th Stanley Cup. Not to mention that any team would likely welcome him with open arms because of his defensive skill, his offensive prowess and his leadership ability. In exchange, the Wings get a talented prospect or maybe a few draft picks that we can use to develop the future of the organization. Or, in the best-case scenario, we get a roster player that can make an immediate impact for this team and help us regain our footing next season. I’d be happy getting a Dan Cleary-esque player and some draft picks in return for Lidstrom. Grinders help win Cups.

Part two of the plan? Because Lidstrom will be a UFA at season’s end, we can resign him in the offseason. Its a win-win for both parties. Captain Nick gets a chance at Cup number 5 and the Wings get some depth added to the organization. Plus, we see Lidstrom in a Red Wings uniform again next season.

Okay, we all know this scenario will likely not happen. If I had to put a percentage on it, I’d say there is about a 99 percent chance this will not materialize. First off, Lidstrom would have to waive his no-trade clause. Second, the Red Wings are too classy of an organization to consider such a scenario. Lidstrom himself would likely have to suggest the idea to management. Lastly, the Detroit Red Wings are the only team that Lidstrom has ever played for and, much like Steve Yzerman, both Lidstrom and the Red Wings would probably like to keep it that way.

Besides, initial reports indicate that the Red Wings might have as much as $10-15 million worth of wiggle room under the salary cap at season’s end. Granted, the team has nine UFA’s and four restricted free agents that they may need to resign, but some of those players will likely sign for less than they currently make. If Lidstrom returns, he will likely take a big pay cut. I can’t see him resigning anything more than a one or two-year deal worth $4 million a season. But I’d likely peg the figure closer to $3-3.5 million a season.

More than likely the Red Wings will not make a move at the trade deadline. They might need to make a minor move or two beforehand in order to clear some cap space before Johan Franzen returns from long-term injured reserve, but the moves will be rather inconsequential and done simply to create cap space. As for Lidstrom, the captain was drafted by the Red Wings and will likely retire as a Red Wing.

Ilya Kovalchuk will undoubtedly be the biggest name in free agency this summer if the Atlanta Thrashers fail to sign the winger to a long-term deal before the free agency period hits. Even before that, however, Atlanta needs to determine if they will be able to sign the winger at all or if they should ship him out to the highest bidder at the trade deadline.

Atlanta currently sits at 12th place in a tight Eastern Conference race that has the team only four points out of a playoff spot. However, it still remains highly unlikely that Atlanta would advance beyond the first round even if they make it to the playoffs, which roughly translates into the fact that they would be better off shedding their assets at the trade deadline to get the best return. And they certainly could get a hefty return for a star like Kovalchuk. But who exactly might be interested in Kovalchuk’s services and what price would they pay for a player who has tallied 40 or more goals in each of his past four NHL seasons (and likely will do it again this year) and has 90 or more points twice in that span?

The price tag would involve more than just high-end draft picks for the next four-to-six years. Atlanta would want roster players in return, players that will contribute sooner than later and help the team rebuild. Teams like the Calgary Flames and the Chicago Blackhawks and names like Dion Phaneuf and Patrick Sharp have been mentioned by other bloggers in return for the star left wing. But if other teams jump in, the price tag might go up and those teams might be forced to shell out a high price for what could cost them more in the long run.

Chicago is coddled pretty close to the cap right now, and will be for seasons to come after signing youngsters Kane and Toews to similar 5-year deals just a few months back. The addition of Kovalchuk would give Chicago unprecedented scoring depth, but Chicago might have to give up defensive depth or role-players like Sharp or Dave Bolland. Unfortunately, as great as offense is during the playoffs, you need your grinders to win some tough games for you. Chicago could also consider shipping goaltender Cristobal Huet to Atlanta, but does Chicago really want to go with an inexperienced netminder in Annti Niemi for the playoffs, even if he has outplayed Huet for the majority of the season? Those price tags may not be too high for Chicago,  especially if the team has a win-it-now attitude. Cap issues might prevent them from being in this position again for years to come.

The New York Islanders were another name mentioned in regards to Kovalchuk. For the trade deadline? Don’t even think about it. The Islanders are a young team in rebuilding mode and there is no way they would give up their young core for Kovalchuk right now. However, the Islanders have the cap space and certainly would toss out a few hefty offers to bring Kovalchuk to New York in the offseason.

What about the San Jose Sharks? Here is a team that has been solid for several years but has never been able to get over the hump and make it to the Stanley Cup Finals. The addition of Dany Heatley certainly will help that cause, but adding Kovalchuk would give them a great offensive edge in the playoffs. For that to happen, San Jose would not only have to give up draft picks or prospects, but a player like Ryane Clowe or Devin Setoguchi might be part of the package, too.

If the Los Angeles Kings are buyers at the trade deadline, they could possible make a pitch for Kovalchuk. Rumors have been circulating for a long time about the Kings wanting to trade away left wing Alexander Frolov.

The Bruins are only one point out of a playoff spot right now, but they are reeling from the loss of Phil Kessel in the off-season and injuries to Marc Savard and Marco Sturm have severely hampered their play. However, Savard, when healthy, is one of the best set-up men in the NHL and Kovalchuk would benefit greatly from Savard’s passing abilities.

New Jersey would probably love to add another superstar scoring threat to their roster. But might players like Travis Zajac, Jamie Langenbrunner or Patrik Elias need to pack their bags in order for that to happen?

Pittsburgh could make a run, but they probably don’t have any draft picks or prospects to give after acquiring Marian Hossa a few years ago from Atlanta at the trade deadline.

It would be interesting to see if the Washington Capitals place a bid. Ovechkin, Backstrom and Kovalchuk? Oh my indeed. With Ovechkin and Kovalchuk both playing for Team Russia in a few weeks, might the topic come up in the locker room or off the ice between the two? But would Atlanta want a player like Alexander Semin in return, or would they settle for players like Brooks Laich, Matt Bradley or Tomas Fleischmann? Washington might even consider shipping out goaltender Jose Theadore if they believe back-up Semyon Varlamov to be the goalie of the future in Washington.

The trade deadline will come up quickly after the Olympic break, and Atlanta has some tough decisions to make in regards to their franchise player. However, the rest of the league will have tough decisions to make as well. How big of a price are you willing to pay for a star like Ilya Kovalchuk? Especially when there is no guarantee that you could win the Cup with Kovalchuk, or that you would be able to resign him in the off-season. Reports indicate the Kovalchuk wants at least $10 million a season when he signs his new contract, meaning that a lot of top-end teams would be giving up a lot to make a run at the Cup and get little in return afterward. If Atlanta does decide to trade Kovalchuk come March 3, the winner of the Kovalchuk sweepstakes might also end up becoming the biggest loser in the long run.