Except CSKA and SKA who could be on top after regular season 16/17

[alko]

CSKA and SKA are 2 big competitor for Gagarin Cup and also "Kubok Kontinenta" (regular season champ).

But who else could surprise and jump above this 2 favorites?

Click to read more...

 

[SoundAndFury]

Magnitka is an obvious bet in my opinion. Going for "well maybe not really but there is a slight chance" picks, Ak Bars and Jokerit. The later seems like a really good team, the former can get major benefits from playing in the East.

 

[ozo]

Magnitka is an obvious bet in my opinion. Going for "well maybe not really but there is a slight chance" picks, Ak Bars and Jokerit. The later seems like a really good team, the former can get major benefits from playing in the East.

No love for Lokomotiv? Their kids will be a year older an good foreigner selection could push them against contenders.

 

[Tulipunaruusu*]

Jokerit will win with meidän peli playbook.

 

[hansomreiste]

Traktor. One can dream. In West, maybe Loko and Jokerit but I hardly doubt CSKA or SKA will mess it up, especially in regular season.

 

[Finnpin]

Jokerit will win with meidän peli playbook.

Nah, meidän peli playbook can't beat the KHL head office's and referee's playbooks.

 

[johnsic]

Jokerit is my pick. They got rid of the dead wood and got bigger and meaner.

 

[Atas2000]

Nah, meidän peli playbook can't beat the KHL head office's and referee's playbooks.

You make excuses before the the season opener? How sweet.

 

[malkinfan]

Going Magnitka again for the championship.

 

[alko]

Jokerit is my pick. They got rid of the dead wood and got bigger and meaner.

What do you mean exactly?

 

[Finnpin]

What do you mean exactly?

I'm not him but I guess dead wood is ex head coach Westerlund. Jokerit is bigger and meaner on defense than last seasons. Adding Lauridsen and Rissanen means bruises to opponents. Also offense got some more grit and size with Marjamäki and Anttila. And they still have Mäki, Talaja and Huhtala bringing some grit. And Kulda on defense.

 

[SoundAndFury]

No love for Lokomotiv? Their kids will be a year older an good foreigner selection could push them against contenders.

Kontiola seems like he is slowing down big time offensively, never a fan of Talbot signing. Don't know why, it's just hard for me to imagine them overachieving. They probably have a slightly better team than they did last year but at the same time in my opinion they slightly overachieved last year and SKA was failing horribly so if everything evens out they should finish 3rd or 4th.