As the season fast approaches more and more of the hockey experts of beginning to weigh in or their thoughts regarding the favourities to win the next Stanley Cup. Although it is still quite early it is also a great time for those sport betters to submit their pick for the 2010-2011 Stanley Cup winners as odds are still very reasonable!
What makes this season even more exciting is the strong possibility of a Canadian team winning the Stanley cup. There are very high expectations being placed on the Vancouver Canucks. Many experts across North American including the Hockey News have them predicted to at least make the Stanley cup finals. Other consensus picks to be contenting for the Stanley cup include the regulars such as; the Penguins, Washington, San Jose, Detroit and Chicago. Some teams of interest this year include the LA Kings, Tampa Bay and St. Louis who have young talent many believe are ready to take it to the next level!
One of the main reasons many including myself believe now is the time for the Canucks is through the importance they have placed on solidifying their defence through the acquisitions of both Dan Hamhuis and Keith Ballard. With arguably one of the best three goalies in the league and now a deeply improved defence it will make this team very hard to beat simply because of their back end. With one more year of experience for their star players Henrick and Daniel Sedin as well as potential 2011 all-star Alex Burrows they will have one of the most dominant first lines in hockey on offense as well. If Cody Hodgson can make the team and return to his form from the 2008-2009 campaign he could even be in consideration for rookie of the year honours.
The West will once again be very tough to get through and into the Stanley cup finals however, this may be the easiest year for the Canucks to do it with the Blackhawks and Sharks both losing valuable pieces to their team and the Kings being potentially still a year or two away from greatness. Detroit has made some improvement however not to the magnitude of the Canucks in most expert’s opinions.
Questions will still arise with the Canucks however such as is their coaching, and Luongo’s inconsistency. Cory Schneider who could be a starting goalie in the NHL someday soon will put some competitive pressure on Luongo this year which will keep him on his toes.
Although it is early the early consensus is for the Capitals to play the Canucks in the cup finals which would be a very enjoyable and entertaining series! There are some potential dark horses but these two teams have lots of fire power making them strong contenders and a good risk to take as the next Stanley cup winner.
Sportsbook.com has the Canucks at +1500 odds on winning the Stanley Cup this year – learn more about Hockey Betting!
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