NHL Hockey Betting - Philadelphia Flyers

NHL Betting 2007 – Philadelphia Flyers
Manager: John Stevens
Arena: Wachovia Center
Last Season: 22-48-12, 56 pts (5th Atlantic, 15th Eastern Conference)
2008 Prediction: 5th Eastern Conference

Preseason Odds to win Stanley Cup: +2500

As the Penguins rose in the Atlantic Division, the Flyers came crashing down hard. They were dead last in the league and were bottom feeding in all the major statistical rankings, including the worst home record. But GM Paul Holmgren did not make any excuses for last season, and took charge of his new team this past off-season by signing Daniel Briere, Joffrey Lupul, Scott Hartnell, Jason Smith and Martin Biron. Can this new squad band together in time for the spring playoffs?

What the Flyers missed the most last season was leadership, and now they have two former captains on their roster to fill that void. Daniel Briere is a scarily undersized forward, who is perhaps the fastest man in the entire league. His scoring panache and dazzling tenacity will inspire his team mates to rise to the occasion. Jason Smith is a grizzled, veteran defenseman who will punch you in the mouth first, then ask questions later. One has to assume that these two can gel a locker room filled with unfamiliar faces.

The Flyers are literally huge on defense. They added Braydon Coburn, a 6-foot-5 Canadian boy from the 2003 draft to add to the immense size they already boast on their blue-line. But this is the new NHL, and defensemen have to be nimble on their feet and fast to the puck. Kimmo Timonen is an excellent puck handler and will be essential on the blue-line for power plays, but the Flyers need to make their defense faster to keep up with the new NHL.

Martin Biron will man the pipes for the Flyers, finally getting the shot at starting that he has deserved for year. Biron was mediocre in the final sixteen games for the Flyers last season (he was shipped in during a trade with Buffalo at the end of last season) but that was with a brutal team playing in front of him. Now, with a tremendous abundance of scoring machines in front of him, Biron’s life just got a whole lot easier.

The Flyers are a deep NHL betting sleeper pick to advance to the playoffs this season. They have all the tools necessary to shine in the regular season, plus they have the size and strength to bang away in the postseason. It’s up to coach John Stevens to bring this team together.

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Official Website: www.philadelphiaflyers.com