1. #1
    stevek173
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    NHL Stanley Cup Winner Odds Discussion 12.21

    Well as we roll into the holiday, it is time to take a look at NHL futures. Some of the prices on these teams are suprising and worth examining. Let's take a look at some of the contenders and see how they really stack up.

    Pittsburgh -400

    We start with what for now is the Sportsbook.com favorite to win it all. This price really surprises me. Sure they beat up a lot of the soft teams handily, but they severely lack depth. After you get past superfreak Syd and a now healthy and reassurgent Malkin, what is there? Letang? You do have a goalie in Fluery whom is 100% capable of taking over any game but last year's playoff decoble vs Montreal showed that he can be suspect if you get enough traffic in front of him and launch some long shots. I do not like this price at all for Pittsburgh.

    Detroit - 500

    To me this is the best price out there short of my sleeper. They have it all - levels of depth, and Howard has really shown that he is ready for the big time. These guys are the best team in the NHL and to get them at a juicier price than Pitt is somewhat of a gift. Splashing a unit makes sense here.

    Philadelphia - 600

    Atop the NHL standings we have the Philadelphia Flyers. A team built on balance (6 players with over 20 points) and depth they wear other teams as the game goes on. If Richards doesn't get you a resurgent Danny Brierre will, or maybe the emergence of young phenom Claude Giroux. Jeff Carter is capable of making as spectacular play as in the NHL as spurratic as he is. Something will have to give in net as Michael Leighton is getting healthy and Brian Boucher and budding star Sergei Bobvrosky have both been spectacular. I think they win the east and splashing a unit on them to win the cup is worth it.

    Boston - 700

    The Tim Thomas show. Do not forget how close they came to going to the cup last year. Thomas has arguably been the league's MVP so far, and even though they are hiding at 8th in the conference it is no mistake that they are the 4th favorite to win the cup.

    Washington +800

    Ovie. Backstrom. Semin. You have to ask yourself, what is wrong with this team? All that talent and 6th in the conference, and one of the worst teams in hockey this December? Might be time for a coaching change out here. As a Philly fan I hope they leave things just the way they are out here.

    Vancouver +800

    The Sedin Twins. Luongo. Kesler. Not much else is about it. Like Washington they should finish close to the top of their conference standings. Then they will lose to a deeper team like Detroit or San Jose when the chips are on the table.

    Here is a nice sleeper:

    San Jose +1500

    7 players over 20 points. Heatley, Clowe, Couture, Pavelski, Marleau the list goes on and on. They can grind you down with their depth. You have to ask yourself why they have just been treading water so far. I say 1 word - Niemi. Nittymakki has been very good and will eventually take over the goalie duties out there and San Jose will go from pretender to contender. 1 unit here on a very, very sexy price.

    Sure there are some other teams out there playing very well that I didn't mention. Montreal. Dallas. Atlanta. Tampa Bay continues to impress. Colorado. Nashville. And let's not forget the reigning Stanley Cup Champions the Chicago Blackhawks laying low in 8th in the West. All of these teams to me have fatal flaws that won't make it work.

    So that being said, my NHL futures:

    1 Unit Philly (+600)
    1 Unit Detroit (+500)
    1 Unit San Jose (+1500)

    Will I be praying for a Syd or Malkin injury? Nah. But I wouldn't complain
    Last edited by stevek173; 12-21-10 at 06:49 AM.

  2. #2
    BRAVES1985
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    i like the value with the sharks i like your futures

  3. #3
    Terrapin Station
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    Agree, I really like the Sharks play. Like the line for Vancouver as well.

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