NHL Franchise Boys

The NHL trade deadline came and went. There are many teams still in a playoff hunt, but only a select few have a good chance at winning the Stanley Cup. With each team’s roster set for the rest of the season, here are the top contenders for the Stanley Cup with updated odds…

Pittsburgh Penguins, 15-4
Chicago Blackhawks, 5-1
Boston Bruins, 9-1
Anaheim Ducks, 11-1
Minnesota Wild, 12-1
Montreal Canadiens, 12-1
Los Angeles Kings, 15-1
Vancouver Canucks, 15-1
San Jose Sharks, 18-1
New York Rangers, 22-1
St. Louis Blues, 22-1
Ottawa Senators, 28-1
Toronto Maple Leafs, 28-1
Detroit Red Wings, 30-1
Edmonton Oilers, 35-1
Washington Capitals, 35-1
Nashville Predators, 40-1
New Jersey Devils, 40-1
Winnipeg Jets, 40-1
Carolina Hurricanes, 50-1
Philadelphia Flyers, 50-1
Columbus Blue Jackets, 66-1
New York Islanders, 66-1
Buffalo Sabres, 100-1
Dallas Stars, 100-1
Phoenix Coyotes, 100-1
Tampa Bay Lightning, 100-1
Calgary Flames, 300-1
Colorado Avalanche, 500-1
Florida Panthers, 500-1

Ottawa could be sneaky good odds if they get healthy in time for the playoffs. Seriously, how do the Flames have better odds than the Avs and Panthers?

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We always said we wanted our franchise pool to to mimic the NHL and I think we got more than we bargained for. Friday night was certainly a night of controversy and like any close-knit family we discuss, we learn from our mistakes, we forgive and we move on! What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger… except maybe for that Cage aux Sports food which almost killed me!!!  

The NHL made a controversial decision Friday not to suspend New York Rangers star Rick Nash for his hit on Florida Panthers forward Tomas Kopecky. Arguably, a similar hit made by Joffrey Lupul on Victor Hedman earlier in the week resulted in a two-game suspension, and Alex Edler’s charge on Coyotes goalie Mike Smith Thursday night also resulted in a two-game suspension.

“It was a rotten hit, but not a suspension.  It absolutely should have been a two minute minor, and probably should have been a five,” said Shanahan, in a phone interview on Friday. Shanahan doesn’t have to suspend every player, but sometimes “rotten hits” need a strong message. This seems like one of those times and another instance of a missed opportunity to take a stand and send a message. It’s unfortunate but we all make mistakes…. let’s learn from them.