2010 NHL Predictions Atlanta Thrashers

Often overlooked the start of the NHL season is just a month away, with college football just completing Week 1. and NFL kicking off it’s season and MLB moving towards the playoffs a great way to add to your bankroll is by cashing in on the NHL. Once the season starts pick up on the puck drop with are NHL experts picks. Get a 100% signup bonus on your initial deposit at Sports Interaction!

Although hockey represents a small portion of the action sportsbooks see it represents a great opportunity as the NHL Lines are often almost an after thought of the major sports books as few specialize in it, or focus on it. As a result of the attention the core sports get the lines are sharper, the value is greater and the wins are bigger.

In order to get you ready for the upcoming season I will be walking you through the outlooks of every NHL team, for the new season.

ATLANTA THRASHERS
The Thrashers are listed by Bodog.com as 80/1 odds on winning the 2011 Stanley Cup, although they are not a team to consider as a threat to win the Cup this team does have value when looking at their outlook for 2011 season they finished 10th last season in the Eastern Conference just 5 points out of a playoff spot. Atlanta has had one of the busiest off-seasons in the NHL acquiring Dustin Byfuglien, Andrew Ladd, Brent Sopel, and Ben Eager from the Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks as well as goaltender Chris Mason from the St. Louis Blues. Essentially acquiring these players on a salary dump, for prospects an aging Marty Reasoner and draft picks that would have provided them very little immediate help.

Atlanta had the 8th best road record in the Eastern Conference last season and finished with the 11th best record at home missing the playoffs based on their poor performance on home ice as well as a late season collapse winning just 3 of their last ten games. Season ticket sales are up as are season ticket renewals does all this interest and attendance equal early success?

Well at Week 10 (Nov 30th) this team was 6-5-2 on home ice netting 14 points in 13 games, during this stretch of more consistent crowds at home they had 4 games in 13 push over 15,500 two over 17,500 in the next 28 home games they only had 5 more push over the 15,500 total 4 if you discount the last game of the season where Sidney Crosby was in town chasing the NHL goal scoring title, plus had an outside shot at the total points title. Atlanta finished the season with the third worst attendance in the NHL, second worst if you look at percentage of arena filled despite having the more desirable conference getting more match-ups with the likes of ticket sellers like Philly, Montreal, Toronto, Pittsburgh, and Washington.

So look for the early season props to look for odds on Thrashers making the playoffs, if you want to look for futures value.
Also watch the lines closely as this team has added playoff grit and toughness to a team that badly needed it have improved their goaltending situation by adding Chris Mason who should prove more durable than Johan Hedburg and be able to provide the 60 starts he gave the Blues last season, plus their young gun Evander Kane and the whole team will benefit from a new found depth through the top three forward lines.

Before the NHL season starts, get your first win on the NFL’s opening day by selecting from one of are NFL picks, and taking advantage of the early season NFL odds, any memories of last seasons Week #1 coming back to you? They are for me but the favorites won’t crush the NFL Spreads two years in a row, pick an expert to protect your investment.