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It’s no secret that Uncle Gary (Bettman) is not one to make waves. To his credit, he is one of the most responsive commissioners in all of sports. This is why it’s time for the league, the owners, and the commissioner to take a signal from across the pond, and do more than just put out public relations pieces or boost the message of prominent figures in the world. While this would be an unusually public stance from the NHL, this would go beyond a video or Instagram post. The unity this would present would go a long way, while hockey is not the glueRead More →

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The sunshine state is known for being hot and the Tampa Bay Lightning were just that during the 2018-2019 regular season. Once the playoffs started though they cooled off and were out before anyone could blink an eye. Notable Players In: Kevin Shattenkirk, Luke Schenn, Curtis McElhinney, Mike Condon Embed from Getty Images Notable Players Out: Adam Erne, Dan Girardi, Ryan Callahan, J.T. Miller First Key Game: October 10th, 2019 vs. The Toronto Maple Leafs. Odds to win the division 11:10 (1st overall) (via Betway) Is this a bet worth taking? No. If you are going to gamble normally you want to see some valueRead More →

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The Penguins have been Eastern Conference contenders for a long time, they have defined retooling instead of rebuilding. In a crowded conference, the Penguins continue to stay in the upper echelon. Notable Players In: Alex Galchenyuk, Dominik Kahun, Brandon Tanev, Samuel Poulin, Nick Bjugstad Embed from Getty Images Notable Players Out: Matt Cullen (ret), Olli Maatta, Phil Kessel First Key Game: October 22nd, 2019 vs. the Florida Panthers. While the Penguins retooled, the Panthers took it to an extreme this summer adding talent from the net out. Odds to win the division 4:1 (2nd overall) (via Betway) Is this a bet worth taking? Put someRead More →

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The Kings’ crown lost its shine last year. The Los Angeles Kings finished last in the western conference with 71 points only seven points clear of league bottom Ottawa Senators. The Ilya Kovalchuk experiment did not go as anticipated. Changes behind the coaching staff showing he was not what new head coach Willie Desjardins was looking for at the time. With Todd McLellan now taking over in Los Angeles he may provide the spark the team needs. Notable Players In: Joakim Ryan, Martin Frk Embed from Getty Images Notable Players Out: Dion Phaneuf, Kevin Dallman, Peter Budaj First Key Game: Vegas Golden Knights – OctoberRead More →

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The Florida Panthers made one of the biggest splashes of the offseason signing Sergei Bobrovsky and added skilled bench boss Joel Quenneville to maximize their talent. Notable Players/Coach In: Joel Quenneville, Anton Stralman, Noel Acciari, Brett Connolly, Sergei Bobrovsky, Spencer Knight Embed from Getty Images Notable Players Out: Roberto Luongo First Key Game: Opening night (10/3/2019) the Panther’s crucial first game will be against in-state and in division rival Tampa Bay Lightning. Odds to win the division 13:2 (4th overall) (via Betway) Is this a bet worth taking? This bet is… Not worth taking. I am impressed with the moves the Panthers have made especiallyRead More →

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Pushing the chips into the center can go one of two ways, and for the Columbus Blue Jackets and GM Jarmo Kekalainen,  their gamble came up empty. While the Blue Jackets were able to knock out the Tampa Bay Lightning, their playoff run did not end in them hoisting the cup. While the silverware cabinet sits empty; the dressing room and cupboard of draft picks are also limited thanks to the team trading away their second and third-round pick in 2020 and a second in 2021. Notable Players In: Gustav Nyquist, Elvis Merzlikins Embed from Getty Images Notable Players Out: Sergei Bobrovsky, Artemi Panarin, RyanRead More →

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Just a bunch jerks… after the team that became the target of Don Cherry made their run to the Eastern Conference finals will they be able to rock the league again this season? Notable Players In: Erik Haula, Ryan Dzingel, Anton Forsberg, James Reimer, Patrick Marleau (aka a 1st round pick) Embed from Getty Images Notable Players Out: Calvin de Haan, Patrick Marleau First Key Game: 10/5/2019 vs. the Washington Capitals Odds to win the division 5:1 (t-3rd overall) (via Betway) Is this a bet worth taking? No, I’d stay away. While the 5:1 odds may seem tempting to be in a division with theRead More →

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Your Stanley Cup finalist Boston Bruins look to back up their finals run and potentially the final ride with their captain Zdeno Chara. While it may be the last season “Big Z” laces them up the Bruins will look to send him out a champion. Notable Players In: Par Lindholm, Brett Ritchie, Danton Heinen Notable Players Out: Marcus Johansson, Noel Acciari Embed from Getty Images First Key Game: October 17th vs. the Tampa Bay Lightning Odds to win the division 13:4 (3rd overall) (via Betway) Is this a bet worth taking? For the value? Yes, the Bruins should be fighting with the Toronto Maple LeafsRead More →

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While teams can’t make no moves in the offseason, some teams took that to the extreme. In the opposite direction, some teams win free agency day one and then by the trade deadline they are selling off those big summer signings for draft picks. There are teams that simply keyed in on their depth third and fourth lines, third pair defensemen and minor league additions for their ECHL and AHL affiliates. As there are injuries that happen throughout any season, the depth is a critical portion of any NHL team. Tampa Bay Lightning Embed from Getty Images Most significant offseason moves: Ryan Callahan to injuredRead More →

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When Andrei Vasilevskiy went down with an injury early in the season Tampa Bay Lightning fans and pundits around the league were left to wonder what would happen to the Eastern Conference contender and preseason Stanley Cup favorite in his absence. The answer is as of December 11th is nothing short of Doming-ate. . . That is due in large part to the man who filled the large hole left in net by Vasilevskiy, Louis Domingue. Embed from Getty Images Domingue  was brought to Tampa in November of 2017 in exchange for Tye McGinn and goaltender Michael Leighton. With two other goalies on the rosterRead More →