Canada and the Czechs are the Favorites for World Domination

The 2005 World Hockey Championship begins Saturday in Austria, with Canada and the Czech Republic established as the early favorites. But we all know how quickly a short tournament can scuttle expectations. Here's a brief introduction to each of this year's contenders.

Canada is stacked, with a deep defense and no glaring weaknesses up front. The goaltending pair of Roberto Luongo and Martin Brodeur is unmatched. Many of the Canadians haven't played all winter, but they get six games together before the medal round begins. Scoring could be a problem in those tight playoff games. The no-shows include Scott Niedermayer, Joe Sakic, Jarome Iginla, Martin St. Louis and Vincent Lecavalier. Their replacements - guys like Dan Boyle, Scott Walker and Brendan Morrison - do not pack nearly as much offensive punch.

The Czech Republic reunites most of the players who came within an overtime goal of beating Canada at the 2004 World Cup. When they're all commited to the cause, the Czechs play a stifling defensive system that quickly shifts to a world-beating attack. It's the perfect style for a single-elimination tournament. Jaromir Jagr is said to be coming off an excellent season in Russia. If he brings his best game and goaltender Tomas Vokoun can match his play with the Nashville Predators last season - big ifs, to be sure - the Czechs will win.

Once again, Russia enters a tournament without its best players. Many of the big names say they cannot abide the political intrigue and authoritarian ways of the national team. The top goalies, Nikolai Khabibulin and Evgeny Nabokov, are among those who declined. Still, it should be an exciting young team, with Pavel Datsyuk, Ilya Kovalchuk and Alexander Ovechkin looking for open ice on the attack. If the no-names in net and on defense can surprise us, the Russians have a decent shot at a medal.

Slovakia should be better than we saw at the World Cup. The Slovaks can score, with the likes of Marian Gaborik, Ziggy Palffy, Miroslav Satan, Marian Hossa and Pavol Demitra. If depth players like Lubomir Visnovsky and Michal Handzus make themselves conspicuous, it will be a very good sign. They desperately need a goalie to turn in an all-star tournament. Could finish anywhere from first to sixth.

Finland is missing some key players from the team that finished second at the World Cup. No Miikka Kiprusoff, Saku Koivu, or Teppo Numminen. But the next generation should be ready to carry the load. Younger forwards like Olli Jokinen, Mikko Eloranta and Jarkko Ruutu often outplayed the older guys on the World Cup team. It's not clear who will play in net, but Finland has been turning out plenty of good goalies lately. Another team that could finish almost anywhere in the standings.

It's a transitional year for the United States, which left home aging stars like Brett Hull, Keith Tkachuk, Chris Chelios and Jeremy Roenick. Instead, look for Mark Parrish, Yan Stastny and Jordan Leopold. It's either Ty Conklin or Rick Dipietro in goal. You don't want to bet on such an inexperienced bunch, but this could be a great team in five years.

Like Russia, Sweden has too many no-shows. Forsberg, Naslund, Sundin, Lidstrom - they're all staying home. Daniel Alfredsson was the top scorer in the Swedish League playoffs, so it's up to him to lead the way. Their likely starting goaltender, Henrik Lundqvist (a Rangers' prospect) is a liability until he proves otherwise. The Swedes have underachieved badly at recent elite tournaments. Maybe they'll be more comfortable with low expectations.

Sacrificial teams: Austria, Belarus, Denmark, Germany, Latvia, Slovenia, Switzerland.