STANLEY CUP ODDS HIT THE ICE
With most of the big-name free agents now off the market and rosters starting to take shape, oddsmakers have begun to post lines on which team will take home the Stanley Cup at the end of the 2005/06 NHL season. Let's take a closer look at those odds.
Philadelphia Flyers (+700)
The favorite on paper once again; will Forsberg make the difference?
Detroit Red Wings (+1000)
Not getting any younger; do they have it in them to make one last run?
Ottawa Senators (+1000)
Have pinned a lot of their hopes on a return to form by The Dominator.
Calgary Flames (+1200)
Roman Hamrlik and rookie Dion Phaneuf make the defense one of the league's best.
Colorado Avalanche (+1200)
Losing both Forsberg and Adam Foote is a big blow to the team's grit.
Vancouver Canucks (+1400)
Will have to avoid getting bogged down by the Todd Bertuzzi circus.
Toronto Maple Leafs (+1500)
The roster is full of high risk, high reward reclamation projects.
New Jersey Devils (+1600)
With Martin Brodeur in net, they have a shot. Will miss Scott Niedermayer though.
Boston Bruins (+1600)
Joe Thornton is locked up long-term and will be out to prove he's a playoff performer.
Tampa Bay Lightning (+1600)
The defending champs lost their starting goalie (Nikolai Khabibulin) to free agency.
Dallas Stars (+1800)
Mike Modano was re-signed by the team as they shoot for another Cup in Big D.
San Jose Sharks (+2000)
Few changes were made to this already-solid club in the offseason.
Los Angeles Kings (+2000)
Center Jeremy Roenick and winger Pavol Demitra are the new focus of the offense.
Montreal Canadiens (+2000)
If the league cracks down on obstruction, their smallish forwards could thrive.
Nashville Predators (+2500)
Adding Paul Kariya to the lineup gives them the kind of scorer they've never had before.
Anaheim Mighty Ducks (+2500)
Sure they have Scott Niedermayer now, but that team nickname has got to be changed.
St. Louis Blues (+2500)
Will they regret dumping Chris Pronger instead of Doug Weight or Keith Tkachuk?
Edmonton Oilers (+2500)
Will they regret dumping three promising young defensemen for Chris Pronger?
Pittsburgh Penguins (+2500)
Mario and Sid the Kid should put on a great show for an improved Penguins team.
Atlanta Thrashers (+3500)
Goaltender Kari Lehtonen should get a chance to show why he's an elite prospect.
New York Rangers (+3500)
Added Martin Straka to play with Jaromir Jagr, but the talent is thin beyond that.
Phoenix Coyotes (+3500)
The Great One will be behind the bench; being on the ice would probably help more.
Florida Panthers (+3500)
Joe Nieuwendyk and Gary Roberts will bring some veteran leadership to this team.
Chicago Blackhawks (+4000)
Adding the Bulin Wall gives them a huge upgrade over Jocelyn Thibault in net.
New York Islanders (+4000)
Dumped Michael Peca, but kept the enigmatic Alexei Yashin in the forward ranks.
Columbus Blue Jackets (+6000)
Rick Nash will need to lead the league in goals again to earn that hefty contract.
Carolina Hurricanes (+6000)
Cory Stillman and Ray Whitney were two value-priced additions to the roster.
Buffalo Sabres (+6000)
Have done little in the offseason, and still have a three-goaltender situation to sort out.
Minnesota Wild (+6000)
Can they open up their defensive-minded game and compete in the new NHL?
Washington Capitals (+8200)
Alex Ovechkin could have a shot at the Calder, but this team has no shot at the Cup.