What are some of your guys' picks for the Olympics?
We all know Canada is expected to take home gold and they should be the favorites. They are loaded with talent and will be the host country.
I plan on laying down some money of a few underdogs hoping one of them pays off. There are a few very talented teams who will give Canada a run for their money.
Russia +200
Any team with Ovechkin, Kovi and Malkin is deadly. The KHL has taken a lot of talent from the NHL and these guys will remind us that there is talent still in Europe. This is the only team in the field that can match Canada's skill AND toughness. I also like their goaltending and interested to see who gets the nod as Bryzgalov has been playing the best.
Sweden +600
I really like this team at this value. I think they can win the whole thing with the help of a couple of things going their way. It can happen. This team has skill and speed. Lundqvist can get streaky and it at the right time, could keep this team in close games. Does Zetterberg step his game up for an event like this? Alfredsson is playing excellent right now.
Finland +1800
Much like Sweden this team has talent, but a lot of things would have to go their way. Selanne is old, but he is producing when healthy with the Ducks. I think this team has some very solid role players like Lehtinen, the Koivu's and Hagman. If they can get teams like Canada and Russia to play a grinding styled game, they can pull it out with a remarkable Kiprusoff.
Czech Republic +1200
I don't really like this at this value. I think Finland at +1800 is far better value. This team doesn't have much skill compared to other teams and most of their key players are up their in age and some are underachieving at the current moment.
USA +600
This seems to be fair value to me. I think it's an uphill battle to expect these guys to pull the upset, but they have young talented players who may just be eager and naive enough at the same time to pull it off. I can't say enough about Zach Parise, he is a complete stud. Kane and Ryan give this team a legitimate amount of playmakers (with Parise) to play some 1 on 1 matchups. I like what they did with the youth on this team. My biggest worry is knowing Jack MF Johnson is playing defense which is a goal waiting to happen for the opposing team. If Miller is hot this team will be in it at the end with Canada and Russia.
I have not placed any bets yet, but just wanted to post my thoughts. I am thinking of picking a few of these teams to win, hoping I can cash out. I haven't posted in the forum for a while so I wanted to add my "voice" to the discussion and not just sit back and watch.
Feel free to throw in your two cents. I'd love to turn this thread into a discussion about Olympic hockey.
We all know Canada is expected to take home gold and they should be the favorites. They are loaded with talent and will be the host country.
I plan on laying down some money of a few underdogs hoping one of them pays off. There are a few very talented teams who will give Canada a run for their money.
Russia +200
Any team with Ovechkin, Kovi and Malkin is deadly. The KHL has taken a lot of talent from the NHL and these guys will remind us that there is talent still in Europe. This is the only team in the field that can match Canada's skill AND toughness. I also like their goaltending and interested to see who gets the nod as Bryzgalov has been playing the best.
Sweden +600
I really like this team at this value. I think they can win the whole thing with the help of a couple of things going their way. It can happen. This team has skill and speed. Lundqvist can get streaky and it at the right time, could keep this team in close games. Does Zetterberg step his game up for an event like this? Alfredsson is playing excellent right now.
Finland +1800
Much like Sweden this team has talent, but a lot of things would have to go their way. Selanne is old, but he is producing when healthy with the Ducks. I think this team has some very solid role players like Lehtinen, the Koivu's and Hagman. If they can get teams like Canada and Russia to play a grinding styled game, they can pull it out with a remarkable Kiprusoff.
Czech Republic +1200
I don't really like this at this value. I think Finland at +1800 is far better value. This team doesn't have much skill compared to other teams and most of their key players are up their in age and some are underachieving at the current moment.
USA +600
This seems to be fair value to me. I think it's an uphill battle to expect these guys to pull the upset, but they have young talented players who may just be eager and naive enough at the same time to pull it off. I can't say enough about Zach Parise, he is a complete stud. Kane and Ryan give this team a legitimate amount of playmakers (with Parise) to play some 1 on 1 matchups. I like what they did with the youth on this team. My biggest worry is knowing Jack MF Johnson is playing defense which is a goal waiting to happen for the opposing team. If Miller is hot this team will be in it at the end with Canada and Russia.
I have not placed any bets yet, but just wanted to post my thoughts. I am thinking of picking a few of these teams to win, hoping I can cash out. I haven't posted in the forum for a while so I wanted to add my "voice" to the discussion and not just sit back and watch.
Feel free to throw in your two cents. I'd love to turn this thread into a discussion about Olympic hockey.
