Roto Exclusive : Guest Contributions and Featured Articles

The Skinny: The glut of this group no doubt contains the deepest cores of offensive talent in the league,
with a few of them also laying claim to elite-end suffocating d-men corps. Albeit, here’s a little
perspective for you to consider: At first glance it’s clear the Pittsburgh Penguins & New York Rangers are
pegged as the top dogs heading into the season. The world’s most dangerous duo are now both healthy
to start a season for the first time in a couple years. However, the league leading 8-1 odds
accompanying them (NHL’s smallest payout offering due to highest likelihood to succeed)—is really just
a reminder at how times of changed; Specifically, how much the league-wide competition level has
tightened up in the past decade.
Moreover, in the top heavy pre-salary cap NHL, 10 years ago today, the defending champion Detroit
RedWings lay claim to title of favourite for the 2003 Cup (Ok..Well not everything in the league has fully
evolved!) However, the degree they were favoured was double as strong as the Pens & Rangers are
today with a 4 to 1 pegging by USA Today in October 2002! The fact that the odds have risen so much
throughout the league is a testament to the new heights of unpredictability resulting from this new age
of parity. On the flipside, the league worst Atlanta Thrashers, were 1,000 to 1 underdogs, whereas
today, the Bluejackets similarly sit at the bottom of the heap with only a 150 to 1 longshot odd given to
them by Vegas---Almost 8 times more likely to win the cup than the lowly Thrashers were who likewise,
were also adjudged to finish 30th. The greatest value in this sublist (not necessarily the best team) can
be found in the Boston Bruins---Double the payout of Pittsburgh, yet certainly not merely half as good!
Though greatness cannot be ignored either, so I’d hedge and lay a little coin on both the Bruins AND
Pens!
On the Cusp
(This group is set aside for those who in recent years have found themselves floundering around the Final
Four or finishing the regular season with aplomb, but not quite getting over the necessary hurdles
needed for a deep playoff run.)
New York Rangers 8/1
St. Louis Blues 16/1
San Jose Sharks 20/1
Washington Capitals 25/1
Nashville Predators 25/1
Phoenix Coyotes 40/1
32