NHL Betting Futures – The Top-Shelf Rankings
To me, this NHL season is such an open and shut case. The Detroit Red Wings were such an omnipotent force in the NHL last year; it was almost fruitless for the betting community to get excited about anyone else. The Penguins, Rangers and Habs all made us excited in the Eastern Conference, but for no apparent reason. Then the Stars and Sharks continued to wheel and deal in an effort to strengthen their rosters, but to no avail.
The Top-Shelf Rankings are weekly updates for the NHL, previewing the best teams in the NHL and their weekly schedule. With the NHL season quickly approaching, it’s a good time to get your research done with so you get your hockey betting off on the right foot.
1. Detroit Red Wings (+450 to win the Stanley Cup)
The Red Wings’ addition of Marion Hossa means that they are undoubtedly the best team to bet on heading in to the NHL 2008-09 seasons. Detroit was 54-21-7 SU, while also boasting the best home record with 29-9-3 SU wins at the Joe Louis Arena.
There’s no more to write here. They’re virtually an untouchable team in the Western Conference, let alone in the NHL overall. There’s no team in the Central Division that can even touch them. They have the best blue-line in the league, and now three players capable of eclipsing the 90-point mark. On top of that, Johan Franzen emerged as a dominant inside threat. He’ll do far better than his 38-point performance of yester year.
2. Montreal Canadiens (+600 to win the Stanley Cup)
The Canadiens are the second favorite in our NHL futures to win the Stanley Cup, but could’ve improved their chances by landing a huge free agent this summer. Only Alexi Kovalev remains as a bonafide superstar, having notched 84-points last season. The next on the list is Tomas Plekanec who had 69-points.
The truth is that Carey Price is a monster in net, and a stone cold killer to boot. However, the defense, and the team, is small overall. Their roster is made up of guys that are excellent hockey players, but might not be able to handle the rigors of the regular season. They’re a great regular season bet, but having them win the Stanley Cup would take a miracle.
3. Pittsburgh Penguins (+650 to win the Stanley Cup)
The Penguins losing the talents of Marion Hossa to Detroit have them dropping in the Top-Shelf rankings. Hossa was second on the team in the playoffs with 26-points. Couple that loss with the departure of Ryan Malone to Tampa and Pittsburgh is a great team with a lot to prove.
4. San Jose Sharks (+900 to win the Stanley Cup)
Here we go again. The Sharks are continually a favorite to win the Stanley Cup, but now the question is beginning to surround their lack of coaching as opposed to their lack of skill. With Big Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau, not to mention many others, the Sharks have plenty of talent. San Jose finished second in the NHL with 108-points, going 49-23-10 SU. That makes them a great regular season play, but like the Canadiens, the chances of them getting over the hump are lower than they are on paper.
5. Dallas Stars (+1800 to win the Stanley Cup)
Dallas made a huge splash in the trade market last season, nabbing Brad Richards for the final twelve games of the season. Richards had 11-points with the Stars, and played inspired during the playoffs to advance them deep.
I actually like the Stars to finish behind the Wings in the West because of their great depth. They have Mike Ribiero, Brenden Morrow and Brad Richards up front. All of them can score well over 70-points next season. What this comes down to is Marty Turco’s ability to beat Detroit. If the past is any indication, those odds make them a steep play in the West to actually make the dream of dethroning Detroit a reality.
6. Washington Capitals (+1500 to win Stanley Cup)
Loved ‘em last year, love them even more this year! Alexander Ovechkin led the league with 112 points, 65 of those coming off of goals. He was followed by Niklas Backstrom who had 69-points in 82 games. Backstrom is coming in to his own. As long as Alexander Semin continues to stay healthy and progress throughout the year, then this team has a chance of surprising many in the East.
The Southeast Division is a wash, considering that the Thrashers are grounded and the Hurricanes are spilling in to a mediocre team at best. The Caps will make the playoffs and the sting of last year’s game-seven loss to Philadelphia will only drive them to success, meaning great profits for their NHL betting investors in the coming season.
7. Philadelphia Flyers (+1800 to win Stanley Cup)
The seventh spot was the most difficult to give away. The Phoenix Coyotes are one of those tantalizing teams that really tempt me. The New York Rangers are +1200 and seem to be the leading candidate to land Mats Sundin. The Colorado Avalanche are also +1800 but much of their success surrounds the pending return of Captain Joe Sakic.
So I’m left with the unlovable Flyers. After finishing sixth in the Eastern Conference with a 42-29-11 SU record, the Flyers prove that they have depth across the board to carry them deep in to the playoffs. The thing to love about them is their horrific tendency towards violence. However, Daniel Briere must explode in to the scoring machine he was in Buffalo before we lobby them as a true Stanley Cup contender.
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