scodds_trophy.jpg

Canucks set as Cup favorites for stretch run

With the National Hockey League’s trade deadline flurry of activity now in the books the Vancouver Canucks sit as the favorites on the odds to win the Stanley Cup this year.

The Canucks are the 5/1 leaders at Bodog to claim the Cup this spring after making a few moves prior to the deadline. Vancouver traded away forward Cody Hodgson and defenseman Alexander Sulzer to the Sabres for forward Zack Kassian and defenseman Marc-Andre Gragnani, then added some depth up front by picking up forward Sami Pahlsson from the Blue Jackets and forward Andrew Gordon from the Ducks.

The Detroit Red Wings and New York Rangers are second at Bodog at 6/1 odds to win the Stanley Cup this year. The Red Wings made their notable trade back on February 21 when they acquired defenseman Kyle Quincey from the Lightning. The Rangers were rumoured to be in the market for Blue Jackets star forward Rick Nash but instead decided to stand mostly pat – picking up just defenseman John Scott in a deal with the Blackhawks.

The Boston Bruins bolstered the bottom half of their roster as they try to make it back-to-back Stanley Cup championships this year; they’re currently at 7/1 odds at Bodog. Boston added defenseman Greg Zanon from the Wild in exchange for defenseman Steve Kampfer, and also picked up forward Brian Rolston and defenseman Mike Mottau from the Islanders for a pair of prospects.

The Pittsburgh Penguins (11/1) and St. Louis Blues (12/1) didn’t add to their NHL rosters prior to the deadline, while the Philadelphia Flyers (13/1) picked up defenseman Pavel Kubina and Nicklas Grossman in trades with the Lightning and Stars a couple of weeks ago.

The San Jose Sharks (14/1) added role-playing forwards Daniel Winnik and T.J. Galliardi from the Avalanche, while the Chicago Blackhawks (15/1) dealt a pair of draft picks to the Jets for defenseman Johnny Oduya. The Nashville Predators (18/1) round out the top Cup contenders on the NHL odds at Bodog, and they also strengthened themselves prior to the trade deadline when they picked up forward Andrei Kostitsyn from the Canadiens and forward Paul Gaustad from the Sabres

Odds to Win the 2012 Stanley Cup at Bodog:

Vancouver Canucks 5/1
Detroit Red Wings 6/1
New York Rangers 6/1
Boston Bruins 7/1
Pittsburgh Penguins 11/1
St. Louis Blues 12/1
Philadelphia Flyers 13/1
San Jose Sharks 14/1
Chicago Blackhawks 15/1
Nashville Predators 18/1
New Jersey Devils 22/1
Phoenix Coyotes 30/1
Los Angeles Kings 35/1
Ottawa Senators 35/1
Washington Capitals 35/1
Toronto Maple Leafs 40/1
Dallas Stars 50/1
Florida Panthers 50/1
Colorado Avalanche 60/1
Winnipeg Jets 60/1
Anaheim Ducks 65/1
Calgary Flames 65/1
Buffalo Sabres 70/1
Tampa Bay Lightning 75/1
Minnesota Wild 80/1
Montreal Canadiens 150/1
New York Islanders 150/1
Carolina Hurricanes 200/1
Edmonton Oilers 500/1