High Value Teams - Early Season NHL

With a new NHL season around the corner smart handicappers look for teams that should be under valued when it comes time to start the season. It is very difficult to set the line in the first couple of weeks and this can be a great time to pick up some units on an "odds line error". Odds makers use a number of factors in determining the lines but quite often a team's history, final position (standings) can alter the line early but a lot may have changed since then.5. Vancouver Canucks: Perception Weak playoff performance, Aging and possibly unhealthy GoalieReality Unbelievable home team, one of the best off-seasons as they added Christian Erhoff (SJ) and Mikael Sameulson (DET) and youngster Sergei Shirokov (KHL) and Andrew Raycroft to back up Luongo and gave up nothing. Plus Luongo cried after the playoff loss is actually 100% committed to this team worked hard to get his long term deal and believes he has a real shot at a championship, think of what Detroit lost other than Chicago in the West they are going to be tough; to do you think odds makers are going to view them as a top three teams in the NHL? I'd guess not.4. New York Rangers Perception Complete Overhaul, Suspect defensively, Avery and Torterella Craziness factorsReality Added a lot of offense to the team that has a great goalie and poor defense but this is a team that starts great, early season Hendrik Lundqvist isn't tired and overworked yet. This team picked up points in 9 of their first 15 games last season. Plus at the regular away spread of the +1.5 goals would have covered 2 of their road losses making them a unbeliveable (11 of 15) handicapped potential. 3. Anaheim Ducks: Perception What can they have left? Reality Quite possibly the highest value team last season, I can't pinpoint why this team is so under valued next to Detroit easily the second best run organization in the NHL. Dropped Chris Pronger (PHI) added James Wisniewski (CHI) one of these players is aging takes bad penalties and is losing a step speed wise - the other is tough, young and a great skater. Plus so much talent up front added Saku Koivu who will have a resurgence with this team.2. New York Islanders: Perception One of the League's Worst TeamsReality Such a great upside early added Martin Biron and Dwayne Roloson and already have Rick Dipietro they have so much goaltending someone is liable to get hot and competition will bring out the best in these vets. Then add John Tavares in the early going it won't matter if he scores or not... people will pay to see him - fans bring wins and the Isle will have a home ice advantage once again and a lot of buzz early.1. Ottawa Senators: Perception Revolving door at Goalie and Coach - Heatley became major distraction.Reality One of the league's hottest teams 2nd half of last season desperate to prove themselves with a Goalie in Pascal Leclaire that looked great in pre-season and has Brian Elliott a very capable youngster behind him. Added depth to a team that badly needed it behind the top line. Everyone seems to be stuck on the loss of Heater 50 goal capable and maybe 80 point or so ceiling (great season) 100 points tops - the team added Alex Kovalev who will play with Alfredsson, Jonathan Cheecho and Milan Michalek. Even if you take last season, where Kovalev and Cheecho had off years they alone totalled 94 points then add Milan's usual 50 points; this team got better not worse.Please Check Back tomorrow for 5 Early Season Over-Valued Blog...