Bet On NHL Hockey – Stanley Cup Futures Update
Most NHL teams have essentially finished their offseason activity, so mid-August is a nice time to assess the latest futures. Training camps are still a few weeks away.
CLICK HERE TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT AT BETONLINE.COM AND BET ON HOCKEY AT THE BEST SPORTSBOOK ONLINE!!!!!
Remember, not making this list doesn’t mean that a team isn’t in the hunt (like Detroit or San Jose). It just means that the team’s odds haven’t changed enough to warrant discussion.
TOP CONTENDERS
Pittsburgh Penguins (+600)
Maybe oddsmakers didn’t get the memo about Sidney Crosby’s condition. Rumors are flying that he is still experiencing post-concussion symptoms and could miss the entire 2011-12 season. Heartbreaking news. 
But the Pens still posted their second-highest point total in franchise history with no Crosby or Evgeni Malkin for half the 2010-11 season, so it would make sense for them to be favored if Sid is healthy.
Vancouver Canucks (+600)
The Canucks’ roster is largely unchanged and they were the NHL’s best team right up until Game 7 of the Cup final last season.
Washington Capitals (+800)
YES Washington, YES! The Caps finally stepped up and added the key piece missing from so many failed playoff runs in recent seasons: a gamebreaking goalie. Tomas Vokoun has been one of the game’s best, most underappreciated puckstoppers for years. He could make a world of difference in D.C.
Boston Bruins (+900)
The Bruins weren’t very active in free agency but remain a serious threat to repeat as Stanley Cup champs, especially since Tyler Seguin will only get better. [ad-4437448]
STOCK RISING
Los Angeles Kings (+1000)
Just as the Washington Capitals finally stepped up and grabbed the player they were missing, the Kings vastly increased their odds with a bold, “win-now” move this offseason, acquiring Mike Richards. They have a real shot to win it all. The Simon Gagne addition is sneaky-good, too.
Buffalo Sabres (+1200)
Buffalo Sabres fans have deserved a deep-pocked owner for years and are reaping the rewards of finally getting one. Christian Ehrhoff and Ville Leino will only make them deeper and better.
New Jersey Devils (+2500)
The Devils weren’t overly busy this offseason but first-round pick Adam Larsson could help the blueline right away. Their rising odds also reflect their stellar second-half record last season.
STOCK FALLING
Philadelphia Flyers (+1200)
Could the Flyers be a value pick? The knee-jerk reaction is to assume they’ll regress without Richards and Jeff Carter. But the Flyers still added Ilya Bryzgalov in goal, a blue-chip center to build around in Brayden Schenn and a feisty forward in Wayne Simmonds, who is a perfect fit for Peter Laviolette’s system. And there’s that Jagr guy, too.
Phoenix Coyotes (+4000)
Looks like we’ll finally find out just how much credit Bryzgalov deserves for their recent success. The Desert Dogs lost pieces and gained very few in the offseason.
New York Islanders (+10000)
Seeing the Islanders with the worst odds to win the Stanley Cup confuses me. The Isles were feisty and competitive in the second half last season. Their offensive core is improving as John Tavares and Michael Grabner mature.
And Evgeni Nabokov looks like he’ll report to the team this season. Isn’t Long Island’s arrow pointing up, not down?
