I used to think that too, but here the season was supposed to be starting about now and they ain't even talking. What a joke. A real business on strike would have consistent talk going on, either in person or through the media. These guys are out on vacation it seems, so I am starting to believe they really aren't expecting to suit up this year and maybe not even next.
The NHL owners have locked out the players after failing to reach a new collective bargaining agreement, so the season won't be starting next Wednesday, and there is no end to the impasse in sight. Even though there won't be any hockey lines or totals posted in any Las Vegas sports books for a while, that doesn't mean the books aren't taking any bets.
Stanley Cup futures are still offered at most books in town, with the defending champion Lightning at around a 5-1 favorite, followed by the Red Wings at 6-1, and the Senators, Flyers, Avalanche, and Maple Leafs in the 7-1 to 8-1 range.
It's hard to fathom why someone would bet on this since it's been known for a long time that the season was in jeopardy - and sports book managers predictably report that handle is at an all-time low - but there has been some action, and some bettors have sought refunds as the inevitable has come to pass.
Those bettors, however, are out of luck. The standard disclaimer being used by the books is "all bets are action as long as a champion is crowned sometime in 2005." So, whether they play a partial season, or just conduct a tournament, as long as there is an official Stanley Cup champion the winning bets will be paid. But even if there is no season, the books have the right to hold all tickets until the no-result becomes official.
Once again, let the bettor beware.
Dave Tuley DRF.com
Stanley Cup futures are still offered at most books in town, with the defending champion Lightning at around a 5-1 favorite, followed by the Red Wings at 6-1, and the Senators, Flyers, Avalanche, and Maple Leafs in the 7-1 to 8-1 range.
It's hard to fathom why someone would bet on this since it's been known for a long time that the season was in jeopardy - and sports book managers predictably report that handle is at an all-time low - but there has been some action, and some bettors have sought refunds as the inevitable has come to pass.
Those bettors, however, are out of luck. The standard disclaimer being used by the books is "all bets are action as long as a champion is crowned sometime in 2005." So, whether they play a partial season, or just conduct a tournament, as long as there is an official Stanley Cup champion the winning bets will be paid. But even if there is no season, the books have the right to hold all tickets until the no-result becomes official.
Once again, let the bettor beware.
Dave Tuley DRF.com
hockey is the most exciting sport out there. and even non-hockey enthisiasts agree on 1 thing: the nhl playoffs are THE BEST playoffs of any sport out there. they produce more upsets and cloe games than any other sport. the playoffs are awesome. and an OT playoff game in the NHL is infinite times more exciting than all other sports combined - since it can end ANY SECOND - and either team can win it any second. in baseball both teams have to bat. in football - odds are unless you are on offense - you're not winning the game until you do get the ball. it takes less time to read "War and Peace" then play an NBA OT game - especially the playoffs. but a OT playoff game in the NHL can last 10 seconds or 10 minutes or 100 minutes - that's what makes it so great - not knowing when it will end.Vaulted Treehouse said:
Hockey is that way for fans and non-fans - either you love it or at best dislike it. I notice all sports get plenty of bad press here when thier turn comes up. The NBA had countless gripes about different percieved (real or imagined) weeknesess, same with baseball, now even the NFL is getting lots of flak about things like referees and scheduling etc. I have a feeling somehow the players and owners will come to some sort of agreement to have a season beginning in January and an abbreaviated playoff season in May and June.
wil.
wil.
