Tuesday, October 10, 2006
By Bob Donahue
As the NHL season returns, we are once again presented with a tremendous oppportunity in a "below the radar" sport that not many people follow...
This presents us with many weak lines and betting opportunities.
1) The Anaheim Ducks are everyone's choice to hoist the Stanley Cup this year. Now, while Brian Burke's squad were three wins short of a trip to the Stanley Cup Final, and with the addition of Chris Pronger anchoring a blue line that already has Scott Niedermayer, a spot to the Final does not seem out of the question. But from a betting perspective, we will find many opportunites where the Ducks are overvalued.
2) I believe there is tremendous value with the San Jose Sharks. Now the Sharks have set a goal of winning a Stanley Cup this year, especially after Joe Thornton and Jonathan Cheechoo's career seasons. The major question put to the San Jose squad is who is the team's starting goalie, Evgeni Nabokov or Vesa Toskala?
3) One of the sea of changes this year, is that the preeminent UNDER teams last year, the Calgary Flames may present us with OVER opportunities this year. The Flames had all the components for another run at the Stanley Cup last year, but could not score any goals. Jarome Iginla needed a solid center to fill the void left by former linemate Craig Conroy. So, the Flames went out and acquired winger Alex Tanguay and putting him back in the middle, head coach Jim Playfair has a potentially dangerous tandem for opposing defenders. Also, the defense has six solid defenders and a Vezina Trophy-winning netminder in Miikka Kiprusoff, look for Calgary to contend again.
4) Conversely, we will look for a TREMENDOUS dropoff for the Stanley Cup runners up, the Edmonton Oilers. Defenseman Chris Pronger and center Michael Peca were gone in the blink of an eye after the Oilers' lengthy run to the Stanley Cup Final. I feel that GM Kevin Lowe HAS NOT done enough to make them contenders next spring, and that Playoff hero Fernando Pisani could have a greater offensive role, but he could also be a playoff wonder, and believe hs will drop off this year. -- Bob Donahue
By Bob Donahue
As the NHL season returns, we are once again presented with a tremendous oppportunity in a "below the radar" sport that not many people follow...
This presents us with many weak lines and betting opportunities.
1) The Anaheim Ducks are everyone's choice to hoist the Stanley Cup this year. Now, while Brian Burke's squad were three wins short of a trip to the Stanley Cup Final, and with the addition of Chris Pronger anchoring a blue line that already has Scott Niedermayer, a spot to the Final does not seem out of the question. But from a betting perspective, we will find many opportunites where the Ducks are overvalued.
2) I believe there is tremendous value with the San Jose Sharks. Now the Sharks have set a goal of winning a Stanley Cup this year, especially after Joe Thornton and Jonathan Cheechoo's career seasons. The major question put to the San Jose squad is who is the team's starting goalie, Evgeni Nabokov or Vesa Toskala?
3) One of the sea of changes this year, is that the preeminent UNDER teams last year, the Calgary Flames may present us with OVER opportunities this year. The Flames had all the components for another run at the Stanley Cup last year, but could not score any goals. Jarome Iginla needed a solid center to fill the void left by former linemate Craig Conroy. So, the Flames went out and acquired winger Alex Tanguay and putting him back in the middle, head coach Jim Playfair has a potentially dangerous tandem for opposing defenders. Also, the defense has six solid defenders and a Vezina Trophy-winning netminder in Miikka Kiprusoff, look for Calgary to contend again.
4) Conversely, we will look for a TREMENDOUS dropoff for the Stanley Cup runners up, the Edmonton Oilers. Defenseman Chris Pronger and center Michael Peca were gone in the blink of an eye after the Oilers' lengthy run to the Stanley Cup Final. I feel that GM Kevin Lowe HAS NOT done enough to make them contenders next spring, and that Playoff hero Fernando Pisani could have a greater offensive role, but he could also be a playoff wonder, and believe hs will drop off this year. -- Bob Donahue
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