Early projected Swedish Olympic men's hockey roster

Kevin Allen, USA TODAY Sports | USATODAY

Although the NHL hasn't completed an agreement to allow its players to participate in the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia, USA TODAY Sports hockey columnist Kevin Allen is projecting the teams that will be in play a year from now. Today: Sweden.

Coach: Par Marts

Goalies: Henrik Lundqvist (New York Rangers), Anders Lindback (Tampa Bay Lightning) and Viktor Fasth (Anaheim Ducks)

Discussion: In theory, Lundqvist is the best goalie in the world today.

First line: Loui Eriksson (Dallas Stars), Henrik and Daniel Sedin (Vancouver Canucks)

Discussion: With the amount of offensive firepower the Swedes possess, they should be a prime contender for gold.

Second line: Henrik Zetterberg (Detroit Red Wings), Nicklas Backstrom (Washington Capitals) and Patric Hornqvist (Nashville Predators)

Discussion: When the team is named, Zetterberg probably will be at center. But when you line up the versatile forward on the wing, you can piece together a formidable top six.

Third line: Gabriel Landeskog (Colorado Avalanche), Patrik Berglund (St. Louis Blues) and Johan Franzen (Detroit)

Discussion: It will become very interesting for Mart if the Ottawa Senators' Daniel Alfredsson decides to play another season. He could slot in the second or third line. Franzen could end up on the fourth line doing the heavy lifting.

Fourth line: Alexander Steen (St. Louis), Marcus Johansson (Washington), Jakob Silverberg (Ottawa)

Discussion: A young forward such as Mika Zibanejad could be in play here or Mikael Backlund (Calgary Flames). How about 6-3 Carl Soderberg of HC Linkoping receiving consideration? He is having a monster season with 27 goals in 45 games.

13th forward: Former NHLer Joel Lundqvist

Discussion: The identical twin of Henrik Lunqvist, center Joel is having another exceptional season and is captain at Vastra Frolunda.

Defensemen: Erik Karlsson (Ottawa), Niklas Kronwall (Detroit), Oliver Ekman-Larson (Phoenix Coyotes), Tobias Enstrom (Winnipeg Jets), Alexander Edler (Vancouver), Viktor Hedman (Tampa Bay) and Jonathan Ericsson (Detroit)

Discussion: The first six seem like locks to make the team, and the No. 7 defenseman seems like it will be a battle. Ericsson could give the team more size to play against Canada. But he is more of a hunch than a favorite. The No. 7 spot could easily go to Nicklas Hjalmarsson (Chicago Blackhawks). Keep an eye on young Jonas Brodin (Minnesota Wild). If he continues to improve, he could claim a spot. One oddity of the Sweden program is that Karlsson is the only right-hand shot among their premium defensemen.