Many teams made some major changes in the off season and here's a conference breakdown of some of the more notable changes.
The West
Expect the Anaheim Ducks to fall a little, they have some great young players but they can't replace Teemu Selanne and Scott Niedermayer with Todd Bertuzzi and Mathieu Schneider. At 6-1 stay far away from this bet.Detroit lost a veteran defenseman but replaced him with a younger and just as talented defenseman Brian Rafalski. If goaltender Hasek stays healthy they will compete as usual.
Colorado went out and signed "Captain Canada" Ryan Smyth who will most likely play with Joe Sakic on the top line. No doubt Colorado will score goals but can they keep the puck out of the net. They still don't have a true #1 goalie.The Sharks need Joe Thorton and Jonathan Cheechoo to produce right off the bat. Last year they didn't really build any chemistry until the all-star break. You should also wonder about backup goaltending. Nabokov does have a history of injury and with Toskala in Toronto the Sharks might need to trade for a good backup.
Current Odds for Western Conference Teams- Ducks 6-1
- Redwings 10-1
- Sharks 13-1
- Flames 14-1
- Avalanche 15-1
- Canucks 20-1
- Stars 21-1
- Wild 21-1
- Predators 36-1
- Blues 41-1
- Kings 56-1
- Oilers 91-1
- Bluejackets 151-1
- Blackhawks 151-1
- Coyotes 201-1
- Kings 56-1 (Need to trade for a goalie)
- Blues 41-1 (Needs veterans and young kids to step up)
- Oilers
- Bluejackets
- Blackhawks
- Coyotes
The East
The New York Rangers went out and signed two of the best 2007 UFA centers to play with Jagr and Shannahan. They have a great young goalie in Lundquist and although they don't have any top tier defenseman they still have a solid group who should be able to hold their own.The Philadelphia Flyers went out and traded for a top tier defenseman and a solid winger in Scott walker. They also added UFA center Daniel Briere. With Biron in net for the entire season this team is a lock for the playoffs.
Ottawa will compete as usual so you can't count them out. They did make it to the cup final last season and didn't loose any major players to free agency.Pittsburgh will also compete but at 12-1 it's a bet I'd stay away from. Give them another year or two and they will win a cup.
Buffalo lost their two top centers and didn't replace them. I expect this team to fall big time. They also have an overrated goaltender.Toronto added a better goalie and a good 2nd tier winger in Jason Blake. This team could be dangerous if everything works out as planned. Good team on paper.
The Florida Panthers made a big upgrade in goaltending, which should work wonders for this team. This is an underrated group of young players who should make the playoffs.Current Odds for Eastern Conference Teams
- Rangers 9-1
- Senators 9-1
- Penguins 12-1
- Sabres 16-1
- Flyers 16-1
- Leafs 19-1
- Devils 26-1
- Canadiens 29-1
- Thrashers 34-1
- Panthers 34-1
- Hurricanes 34-1
- Lightning 34-1
- Capitals 36-1
- Bruins 51-1
- Islanders 71-1
- Florida Panthers 34-1(Goaltending + young talented forwards = playoffs)
- New Jersey Devils 26-1 (Brodeur Factor)
- Capitals
- Bruins
- Islanders
- Thrashers
- Canadiens
