The 2013 IIHF World Juniors are just around the corner, with the first group games starting on boxing day in Russia. Seeing as the tourney is being played in Russia, it will be tough for North American fans to watch their junior teams in action this year unless they are die-hards and willing to get up in the early morning to watch their country battle it out.
The tournament does benefit from the NHL lockout this season because there are several players on top teams who are able to compete in this World Juniors this season while they likely would not have been released by their NHL clubs. The most notable is likely Ryan Nugent-Hopkins who will look to lead the Canadians to the gold medal, something the hockey crazed country has not achieved in the past 3 years.
2013 World Juniors Winner Odds
Bet365.com is our top rated sportsbook offering outright winner odds for the 2013 World Junior Championships. Here are the odds:
- Canada +150
- Russia +225
- Sweden +375
- USA +450
- Finland +650
- Czech Republic +3500
- Switzerland +12500
- Slovakia +15000
- Germany +25000
- Latvia +50000
As you can see this is really a five horse race, but in my opinion any of these 5 teams really does have what it takes to bring home the gold this season.
Free Picks
Canada is the favorite, and rightfully so seeing as they have many players who would likely be in the National Hockey League if the lockout wasn’t in progress. But once again the question for the Canadians is in goal. Malcolm Subban and Jordan Binnington have been battling it out to see who is starting in net for the Canadians, and whichever one gets the nod will have the hopes of a nation on their backs. The Canadians lost to the Finns 3-2 in pre-tournament action and defeated the Swedes in a shootout in a game they probably should have lost. Overall, I’m just not overly impressed with Team Canada and I don’t like them at +150, maybe +250 would be a smart bet on the Canadians.
Russia is another team in group B, along with Canada and the USA. Russia lost in the finals last year to Sweden after beating Canada in the semi’s. Russia will be lead by Nail Yakupov this year along with Mikhail Grigorenko. That said the team is mostly filled with undrafted players who don’t have experience in the tournament. I’m not sold on Russia at +225 either.
Sweden is another depleted team that will be missing Mika Zibanejad (was not released from Binghamton), Oscar Klefbom and Jonas Brodin (injuries). The team is left to Filip Forsberg to lead and inexperienced group that consists of a lot of 17 and 18 year olds (possibly to build experience for the tournament held in Sweden next year). Sweden isn’t giving up, but they still aren’t a good bet at +375.
Team USA is the first team I like to win the tournament. USA defeated Sweden 3-2 in OT and lost to Finland 5-1 in pretournament action. That said they have a strong team that should compete in the tough group A and have a good shot in the elimination games. Alex Galchenyuk will lead the attack. Trouba, Miller and Gibson are the only returning players, but this team has a chip on their shoulder after an embarrassing showing last year. They are a good bet at +450.
Finland is another good bet. The Finns won their two pretournament games and have looked very good. Barkov is a potential top 5 pick in the upcoming draft and Markus Grandlund is back and looking even better than last year. The team isn’t as star studded as the tourney favorites, but they are in a weak Group A, which could get them a bye to the semi’s if they win against the Swedes, which I think they will. After that, just two big games and they have the gold. I like them at +650.
Plays: USA +450 and Finland +650 (Bet365.com)
Tagged with: IIHF • World Juniors