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We're inching closer to training camp, and it feels damn good.
This off-season has just been painfully long. Even writing daily, I still feel like there's so little going on that's worth discussing, and that's never a good sign for a league that's trying to gain momentum through popularity in North America.
Perhaps we can unveil the Winnipeg Jets' new sweaters one more time. Or ten more times. It sure seems like a new report comes out about the same jerseys every two weeks.
But, that's neither here nor there. Let's get into some news and notes, Ottawa Senators related or otherwise.
-I woke up Tuesday morning to a report that Jared Cowen had hit the 240 pound mark. If true, I'm not sure whether to be thrilled or disgusted. You always have to worry about weight gains in the off-season, especially considering recent reports around Dustin Byfuglien and Dustin Penner. Then again, it's not Dustin Cowen. From the article(
originally focusing on Sergei Gonchar), courtesy of the Ottawa Senators official web site:
..the Senators' blue-line corps could be a younger one in the season ahead, with Swedish standout David Rundblad and 6-5, 240-pound Jared Cowen, the ninth overall pick of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, expected to push hard for jobs in training camp. Such a potential influx of youth "is only going to help us," said Gonchar.
The big positive here is that Jared Cowen's very young, which more than likely means that the additional weight is muscle, not fat. Those who have seen Cowen or photographed him recently in Ottawa are noting the same. Younger players have a tendency to work through the off-season, whereas established veterans will coast through the down time and begin putting in work through training camp. So, breathe easy.
If Cowen's clocking in at 6'5" and 240, he could be even more menacing than forecasted. The guy already hits like a freight train. Now, he'll be one of the bigger defensemen in all of professional hockey.
-Tarik El-Bashir mentioned on Twitter that Tomas Vokoun had received a 'comparable' offer from the Detroit Red Wings before signing with the Washington Capitals. So, Washington wasn't the only team that reached out to Vokoun for such a cheap number.
When it came down to it, I'd have to argue that Vokoun made the right choice. In Detroit, he'd be looking over his shoulder - unfairly, I might add - at a solid but unspectacular netminder in Jimmy Howard. And, there's no guarantee he's playing for a new contract in Detroit.
In Washington, it seems all but a certainty. If Vokoun plays well, the Capitals will resign him. Let's face it, too; the Capitals, at least right now, are a much better team than the Red Wings.
Pretty scary to say that, mostly because it's putting a lot of stock into a Washington Capitals team that has yet to get over the hump. And, it's also rank-and-filing perennial Cup chasers in the Detroit Red Wings under Washington, another risky take.
In the end, though, I like Vokoun's move. Think it works out for Washington(and the Czech netminder) in a big way.
-Sportsbooks around the world released their official odds for the National Hockey League. After an early glance, they're pretty damn intriguing.
Quick refresher: +500 pays 5 to 1 on your money, +1000 pays 10 to 1 on your money, and so on.
Win the Eastern Conference
Boston Bruins+450
Buffalo Sabres+700
Carolina Hurricanes+2000
Florida Panthers+3500
Montreal Canadiens+1200
New Jersey Devils+1500
New York Islanders+5000
New York Rangers+2000
Ottawa Senators+10000
Philadelphia Flyers+700
Pittsburgh Penguins+275
Tampa Bay Lightning+1000
Toronto Maple Leafs+2000
Washington Capitals+350
Winnipeg Jets +2500
Three numbers immediately jump out - New York, New Jersey, and Washington. The first two, specifically the Rangers and Devils, are incredible value for what you're putting in. Assuming that the Rangers and Devils are both likely playoff teams, you've got a 1 in 4 shot of winning a bet, and you're getting 20 to 1 and 15 to 1 on your money, respectively.
And, you have to like the Washington Capitals, paying 3.5 to 1 on your original wager. They're the runaway favorite in the Eastern Conference right now, even though the oddsmakers still like Pittsburgh by the thinnest of margins.
Win the Western Conference
Anaheim Ducks+1500
Calgary Flames+2000
Chicago Blackhawks+550
Colorado Avalanche+3500
Columbus Blue Jackets+2500
Dallas Stars+2500
Detroit Red Wings+450
Edmonton Oilers+3500
Los Angeles Kings+550
Minnesota Wild+3000
Nashville Predators+1500
Phoenix Coyotes+2000
San Jose Sharks+450
St Louis Blues+2000
Vancouver Canucks +275
A lot of quality odds here, too. The difference between the Eastern Conference and Western Conference? There's only one longshot I like, and that's St. Louis at 20 to 1 on your original wager. The Blues aren't a Stanley Cup quality team, but they're certainly top-eight in the Western Conference. In the playoffs, where anything can happen, you have to like the chance of hitting a monstrous ticket.
Outside of St. Louis, I think you have to look at Chicago and San Jose. Los Angeles and Detroit have comparable odds, yet the Kings odds are largely built on preseason hype rather than product and finish. That's not to say the Kings aren't quality; we just don't know what we're getting. Detroit's an aging team, and while still very competitive, I'm not sure they're among the favorites.
That's why Chicago and San Jose are such perfect selections. You can make a case for both of these teams inside the top-three with Vancouver, yet both are getting pretty good odds at 5.5 to 1 and 4.5 to 1, respectively.
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