FROZEN ASSETS

Free Agent (Betting) Frenzy and 2009 Stanley Cup Odds


Every year, on July 1st, two significant events occur that people in Canada care about and Americans don’t. The first is that unrestricted free agents can be pursued in the NHL. Can you guess the second? Though not the most exciting year for free agents, there are more than a few impact players available this year.

As I’ve mentioned many times in my column, one of the advantages the hockey bettor has over people betting on other North American sports is that few people pay attention to hockey. The fewer people betting on hockey, the less reactive the futures market is to changes in team personnel.

Hockey is so insignificant, though, that I was only able to find two sportsbooks offering odds on next year’s Stanley Cup winner: 10bet and Bet365. I have never used the site 10bet, but they are rated C by Sportsbook Reivew and do not allow American players.

Perhaps I am reconstructing history, but I remember more sites having futures markets up last year. Specifically 5dimes and Betfair. I remember scrambling to bet money on Philadelphia after they signed top-tier free agents.

You see friends, the hockey futures market, especially in the summer, is not a priority for sportsbooks. Therefore when a difference maker like Brian Campbell is signed, you will probably have time to bet on his new team at the same odds as before he was signed.

What you will likely have to do, is wait until August, when more sportsbooks release odds for the 2009 Stanley Cup Finals and then determine if these odds are based on each team’s performance last year or if teams' free agent acquisitions are incorporated.

Below are the 2009 Stanley Cup Futures odds from 10Bet and Bet365. I was surprised to see that the Montreal Canadiens are next year’s Stanley Cup favorites. If you find any other sites offering 2009 Stanley Cup odds or have a comment about these odds, feel free to use the comments section or to e-mail illegalcurve@gmail.com.

Team………………………………..10Bet………………………Bet365

Montreal Canadiens……….......…...+555………………………+550

Detroit Red Wings..........................+555................................+600

Pittsburgh Penguins........................+650................................+650

San Jose Sharks.............................+1000...............................+1100

Anaheim Ducks.............................+1400..............................+1400

Washington Capitals......................+1400..............................+1400

New York Rangers........................+1500..............................+1400

New Jersey Devils........................+1500...............................+1600

Ottawa Senators............................+1550..............................+1600

Minnesota Wild............................+1800..............................+1800

Dallas Stars..................................+1800..............................+1800

Philadelphia Flyers........................+2000.............................+1800

Colorado Avalanche......................+2000.............................+1800

Calgary Flames.............................+2000.............................+2000

Buffalo Sabres..............................+2000.............................+2500

Vancouver Canucks.......................+2600............................+2500

Carolina Hurricanes.......................+2500............................+2800

Boston Bruins...............................+3000............................+3500

Tampa Bay Lightning....................+3500............................+3500

Nashville Predators........................+4000...........................+4000

Florida Panthers.............................+4200...........................+4000

Chicago Blackhawks......................+6000...........................+3000

Phoenix Coyotes............................+5100.............................+5000

Edmonton Oilers...........................+5200..............................+5000

Columbus Blue Jackets..................+6500..............................+6500

St. Louis Blues..............................+6500.............................+6500

Toronto Maple Leafs......................+6500.............................+6500

New York Islanders.......................+7000..............................+6500

Atlanta Thrashers...........................+8100..............................+8000

Los Angeles Kings.........................+10000...........................+10000

For illegal curve, I'm Ari Baum-Cohen

May 22 Frozen Assets w/Links to 2007-2008 Columns