Here are some observations I have from looking at what teams have done in the offseason to prepare for the upcoming season. Plus my futures betting picks are all listed below.
Metropolitan Division
- Three of the five oldest teams in then NHL are in this division (NYI/WAS/PIT); while oddsmakers have this division overall claiming more total points than previous seasons. I think there’s room for a few under plays. Aging teams who reputations are still high.
- I don’t think Washington’s done enough and they have a lot of older player/IR issues on the roster. Kuemper’s career GAA vs. Eastern teams is 2.73 as opposed to the West 2.34. – Potential play, Under 95.5 pts -114 or No playoffs +128
- We talked about the NY Islanders on the Podcast Eastern Conf Preview. I think Varly’s best days are behind him.
- I think we can still trust PIT’s core and some of their player movement to keep them relevant. Odds makers have them 3rd in the division and just over a hundred point team.
- Carolina and the Rangers are the teams to beat. Andersen’s health will be key to Carolina’s long term success in the season, but they will be at the top regardless. If the Rangers chemistry and development carries them into better 5on5 numbers (and they stay solid on PP/PK); they will be a hard team to beat. CAR to win division or NYR to win division? +190 or +349 – Bet both and still come out ahead
Atlantic Division
- Everyone knows I really enjoy supporting this Bolts team and they are going to try and get another. I think they are deserving of 3. Since the lockout the Blackhawks and Penguins core’s have each had three. They’ve played a lot of hockey over the past 3 seasons, but as the Panthers and Leafs continue to tweak their line-ups, the Bolts will do the same and excel. Maybe the turnover of some previous core players is what is needed to get them re-vitalized for this run.
- Ottawa to make playoffs +219 or Detroit to make playoffs +315. One of these teams is going to make the leap this season. I like the goalie situation a little more for Detroit so the +315 is appealing. We discussed the Regular Season Point totals in the podcast already.
Central Division
- I see this weird imbalance right now on how the market views St.Louis. -220 to make the playoffs; Over 95.5 is -106 or Over 94.5 is -116. Seems a little off? Most of the time they are the third best odds team to win Central too.
- The Wild will need their youth to step up to retain their position; but I don’t think they will factor in playoffs. Avs will continue to press ahead for another cup; the Goaltending situation is not idea, but Georgiev and Francouz can do the job.
- I was thinking the Stars would regress, but with two teams in this division in team tank mode, there will be some easy points to maybe lift them into playoff contention yet!
Pacific Division
- You could say that the Pacific division has the most intrigue in terms of competition for playoff and wild card spots in the NHL. CGY and EDM will lead the pack. EDM with a real goalie and Over 102.5 +100 is great! (Bet 365)
- The next batch of teams are interesting: VGK (O/U 96.5), LAK (94.5), VAN (92.5), SEA (83.5), ANA (79.5), SJS (73.5)
- I think there are four playoff teams in Central (COL/MIN/STL/NAS) and two in Pacific (CGY/EDM) that are “set”. The rest makes the up for grabs strategy quite interesting. DAL (94.5) & WPG (87.5) to that mix.
- On the Western Conf Preview podcast we talked about how Vegas has a poor goalie situation. The UNDER is definitely in play; or VGK no playoffs at +224.
theChief’s NHL Futures Picks:
- Stanley Cup Winners:
- 1u NYR +1800
- 1u EDM +1513
- 1u CGY +1605
- Win Division
- 0.5u CAR +190
- 0.5u NYR +349
- 0.5u EDM +250
- 0.5u CGY +240
- NOT Make Playoffs
- 0.5u VGK +224
- 0.5u WAS +128
- Regular Season Points OVER
- 1u STL OVER 94.5 -116
- 1u EDM OVER 102.5 -127
- Regular Season Points UNDER
- 1u ARI UNDER 65.5 -115
- 0.5u VGK UNDER 96.5 -114
- 0.5u WAS UNDER 95.5 -114
- Jack Adams Award
- 0.5u Derek Lalonde +2800
- 0.5u Paul Maurice +1800
