NHL 2005: Who To Bet On

In the last 12 months the National Hockey Leagueteam has holes, and now they can't plug it with
has undergone as massive of an overhaul as anymoney.Philadelphia Flyers (9/1) - The Flyers waived
sports league in the last half century. With revampedgoodbye to its nucleus of Jeremy Roenick, John
rules, a restructured salary system and a newLeClair and Mark Recchi. Their absence will open up
television partner, professional hockey is the shell ofthe ice for young speedsters Jeff Carter and Mike
the sport that locked its doors a year ago. TheRichards. Also, they managed to pilfer Peter Forsberg
changes reflect the NHL's new mantra - moreand Derian Hatcher, adding two of the top free
scoring, increased parity and cost certainty. So forgetagent talents to an already strong team. The Flyers
everything you know or think you know about theshould have a slight edge over New Jersey in their
NHL, which begins preseason play on Sept. 16, asquest to defend their Atlantic Division
even the most faithful and ardent fan has to admitchampionship.Ottawa Senators (11/1) - The Sens
that they have no clue as to how the game will lookwere the top scoring team in the Eastern
in 2005-06.First, hockey viewers will have to get usedConference in 2003-04 (262 goals), and they added
to watching their game on a new station. ESPN tookthe dynamic Dany Heatley in a blockbuster deal that
a gamble and refused to pick up the network'sincluded Marian Hossa. As long as no one asks
option on the NHL's broadcasting rights. The idea wasHeatley to be the designated driver, he should add
that ESPN would be able to opt out of their deal, andsome more pop to Ottawa's offense. Daniel
then repurchase the rights at a substantially reducedAlfredsson led the team with 48 assists in 03-04, and
rate. Instead, the Outdoor Living Network, awill be setting the table for Heatley. This squad is
subsidiary of Comcast Cable, swooped in with a verydeep and strong, and will be relying on Ray Emery
lucrative offer and purchased the rights to broadcastand Dominick Hasek in the net.Calgary Flames (13/1) -
the NHL regular season and playoffs for $65 millionThe runners-up to the 2004 champion Tampa Bay
this season, $70 million in 2006-2007, and $72.5 millionLightning (man, that still sounds strange) will be even
in 2007-2008. Not to worry though - Barry Melrosebetter this season. The key move they made was
and his man mullet have signed on withretaining superstar Jerome Iginla. Iginla was tied for
OLN.However, OLN only reaches an estimated 65the NHL lead with 41 goals in 03-04. The Flames
million homes throughout the United States andupgraded the offense by bringing in Tony Amonte
Canada. That's a substantial reduction from the 90and Darren McCarty. Also, Roman Hamrlik was
million subscribers that ESPN boasts, and the 89 millionacquired to shore up an already stout defense.New
viewers that ESPN2 can reach. Also, since ESPNJersey Devils (14/1) - This is a very interesting team
doesn't own the rights, the league shouldn't expectgoing into the preseason. As Detroit and Colorado will
too much coverage from those Bristol bastards. Thebe most affected by the salary cap, New Jersey will
new deal - while a relative windfall for a sport withbe most affected by the rule changes. Many blame
flailing TV ratings - definitely relegates the NHL tothe Devils for pioneering the neutral zone trap and
Niche Sport status. Well, that and a 309-day lockoutthe clutch-and-grab style that took over the league in
will turn off any fan base. Right now hockey'sthe last decade. Offensively, they still have Scott
popularity lies somewhere around the WNBA andGomez (team leader in assists) and Patrick Elias
extreme dodgeball.Next, besides the ideological(leader in goals and points) and I expect big numbers
alterations that the league has experienced, therefrom both. They've won at least 41 games in each
have been considerable changes to the practicalof the past three seasons, and with Martin Brodeur in
aspects of the game. A competition committeegoal they always have a shot.Colorado Avalance (14
revisited several issues that were pinpointed as1) - The Avs still have Joe Sakic and Pierre Turgeon
problem areas during the pre-lockout days. Thein the center, Brad May and Alex Tanguay on the left
highlights of their adopted rule changes are:1) Noand Milan Hejduk on the right. So in other words,
more ties. Instead of records that read like Lottothey still have a chance. Colorado has put up an
picks, the league has gone back to good ol' fashionedaverage of 42 wins per year the last three seasons,
wins and losses. At the end of overtime a six-playerand its core remains intact. Rob Blake is back to
shootout will ensue, followed by a sudden deathanchor the defense and David Aebischer is the man
shootout if necessary.in the cage. I expect them to figure prominently in
2) Goalies will no longer be allowed to be built likethe Western Conference, but I don't think they have
Optimus Prime. Their allotted padding has beenenough depth to hoist the Cup.Boston Bruins (15/1) -
reduced 11 percent. The rule is backed by $25,000The Bruins were one of the teams that benefited
fines and suspensions.the most from the outlandish free agency. They
3) Goaltenders can no longer "freeze" the puck, andwere able to lock up captain Joe Thornton for three
a trapezoidal area has been set up behind the goalyears, and keep Glen Murray on the club. Also, they
line. The goalies are only allowed to handle the puckwere able to add seasoned vets Shawn McEachern
within that area when behind the goal line.and Brian Leetch, as well as Alexi Zhamnov and Dave
4) The offensive zone will be larger. The bluelinesScatchard. That talent infusion improves a team that
were each moved two feet closer to one another,was already pretty tough (defending Northeast
shrinking the neutral zone. Also, the goal-lines haveDivision champions). The pressure will be on Andrew
been moved two feet further from the boards,Raycroft, the only goalie on the roster.Pittsburgh
leaving more room behind the net.Penguins (15/1) - The March of the Penguins back to
5) The red line is gone, and two-line passes are nowhockey's elite may start this season. Besides being a
legal.fiscal farce off the ice, they've been one of the
6) Other minor changes have occurred. There's noworst teams on it for the past several years,
flopping, a point of emphasis on clutching andmanaging just 78 wins in the last three seasons.
grabbing, anyone who instigates a fight in the lastThey put up only 2.3 goals a game while winning 23
five minutes gets suspended, no flipping the puck intogames in 03-04. But the Steel City won the Sidney
the stands in your defensive zone, and no publicCrosby Sweepstakes, and the "next Gretzky" gives
complaints about the league.The idea is that all ofthem instant credibility. They resigned leading scorer
these rule modifications will open up scoring andDick Tarnstrom and acquired Lyle Odelein, and that
increase the speed of the game. They're hoping thatyoung talent may be ready to take the next
the new NHL will be similar to the hockey played instep.Tampa Bay Lightning (15/1) - Winning the
the Olympics, which features more scoring and skillStanley Cup a few weeks before the lockout
rather than neutral zone traps and the grind-it-outmust've been kind of like winning the lottery and
garbage that had permeated the NHL over the lastthen finding out we're going back to the barter
decade.Finally, a whirlwind of player movement hassystem. Tampa Bay caught lightning in a bottle in the
completely reconfigured the balance of talentsummer of 2004, and the defending Stanley Cup
throughout the league. Trying to figure out who ischampions have brought back the principals involved
going where has proven more tiresome than tryingin that run. Dave Andreychuk, Martin St. Louis, and
to keep up with which pitcher Alyssa Milano isVincent Lecavalier are all back and ready to go. They
banging now. In fact, when opening night comes (theroster reeks of old age, but they're still the champs
Rangers open against the Flyers on Oct. 5) mostand should be shown the proper respect.Anaheim
fans will feel like Guy Pierce's short-term-memoryMighty Ducks (30/1) - Team Teemu returns as the
depraved character in Memento. They'll vaguelyhead of the Flying V. Sergie Federov is looking to
recognize where they are but have no idea howsalvage a burnt out career, and Scott Niedermeyer
they got there.I saw a post on another sports siteshould flourish in Anaheim's wide-open attack. Also,
that I felt best sums up the player movement that'sthe Ducks have a huge advantage with J-S Giguere
taken place since the league went back in business:minding the net. That's one guy who won't need the
"Don't you feel like the new NHL is the equivalent ofextra padding to dominate. A drawback is that they
someone stealing your NHL '95 game for Sega,traded captain Steve Rucchin to the Rangers.Atlanta
randomizing the rosters, and then giving it back toThrashers (33/1) - I like this pick for the value. The
you?"Laying a bet on NHL futures trying to predictHossa-Heatley trade was pretty much a push, but
who will hoist the Cup next summer could be a greatgetting a solid veteran defenseman like Greg deVries
opportunity to fleece some unsuspectingin the deal may shift the advantage in the Thrashers
oddsmakers. But, as always, wager at your own risk.favor. They already posses a young core led by the
Here's a quick overview on some teams that will bevery talented Ilya Kovalchuk (team leader in goals
worth watching and could be worth theand assists) and Hossa's playmaking style (36 goals
gamble:Detroit Red Wings (17/2) - The favorites forand 82 points) will fit right in. They signed Mike
the upcoming season reside in Hockeytown. It's aDunham to mentor talented youngster Kari Lehtonen,
terrible bet, and don't bite. Yes the Red Wings wereand brought in Bobby Holik to add even more
the best team in the 2003-04 regular season withfirepower. They might be a year away, but it may
109 overall points, but perhaps no team was hurtbe worth it to take a $10 or $20 flier on them.Doc's
more by the year off. Steve Yzerman is now 40,Sports Recent Articles:2005 Big Ten preview2005
Chris Chelios is 43 and Brendan Shanahan is turningMAC PreviewNFL RookiesDoc's Sports Handicapping
37. The window may have closed for the Wings andService
their AARP roster. Also, Detroit has only about $71-866-238-6696Since 1971 Doc's Sports has been
million to resign Pavel Datsyuk (who's said he's notrecognized as one of the leaders and most trusted
even close to a deal) and/or Henrik Zetterberg. Thisnames in sports handicapping information.