After the NHL Trade Deadline came and went without much news in Philadelphia, we know it will be Ground Hog’s Day for the Flyers this playoff season – solid team, deep defense, good combination of skill and toughness and a big fat question mark standing between the pipes.
After The NHL Trade Deadline, The Canucks And Flyers Still Stanley Cup Favorites
Sound familiar?
As many experts predicted, it was a fairly quiet trade deadline in the NHL this year and silent for the Flyers–hopefully not deathly silent for fans and bettors who have bet them at +200 odds to win the Cup.
With so many teams still in the hunt for a playoff spot, there weren’t as many sellers as there usually are in late February. But some teams did improve at the deadline, and one big name was moved. For analysis and updated Stanley Cup odds, and money lines and trends on every game every day, check out SB Nation’s lines provider Odds Shark. Now, let’s take a look at how the Stanley Cup chase looks after the trade deadline.
Trade Day Winners
Los Angeles Kings (+3500) – The biggest move of the day went to the Los Angeles Kings, who filled their first-line left winger hole with Edmonton’s Dustin Penner. Even better, they did it without losing any roster players, giving up a prospect and two draft picks. While the move doesn’t quite bring the Kings up to Vancouver or Detroit’s level out west, it does seriously bolster their playoff chances and makes them a very intriguing longshot possibility.
Vancouver Canucks (+200) – When you have the most points in the NHL, you don’t need to make any major moves. But a few minor moves to add some scoring depth (Chris Higgins from Florida) and abrasiveness (Maxim Lapierre from Anaheim) were perfect minor tweaks for the Vancouver Canucks. With most of Vancouver’s injured defensemen expected to be back in time for the playoffs, many consider the Canucks the team to beat this year.
Washington Capitals (+1000) – There is no doubt that Washington has the talent to compete, but they haven’t lived up to expectations so far this year. While they didn’t add a major piece, they did add playoff veteran Jason Arnott from New Jersey and offensive defenseman Dennis Wideman from the roster-purging Panthers. Both players should help the Capitals’ struggling power play, and could kick-start a late playoff run.
Trade Day Bystanders
Detroit Red Wings (+300) – While the Detroit Red Wings didn’t make any trades, the league’s highest-scoring team feels like it has improved at the deadline with the return of Mike Modano. They also re-signed Jimmy Howard for two more years; this vote of confidence may help Howard’s focus and confidence down the stretch. Detroit didn’t need to make any moves; they are already stacked.
Philadelphia Flyers (+200) – Like Detroit, Philadelphia didn’t need to make any moves, as they are currently the best team in the Eastern Conference and have plenty of depth. Besides, they’d already made their move in acquiring solid third-liner Kris Versteeg from Toronto two weeks ago. The only knock on Philadelphia – and this has been an ongoing knock-knock joke for 35 years since Bernie Parent - was not adding a goaltender. While veteran Brian Boucher and rookie Sergei Bobrovsky have played very well, it is the most unsettled and unsettling goalie situation of any contender.
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