2007 NHL Entry Draft: Preview

Hockey Betting Lines

06/19/2007 - Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The National Hockey League will hold its annual Entry Draft this weekend at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, and the Chicago Blackhawks will get first crack at this year's pool of talented youngsters.

The Blackhawks, who ended last season tied for the third-worst record in the Western Conference, have never had the first overall pick since the draft began in 1963.

This year's draft is expected to be a wide-open affair, and fans should be prepared for surprises beginning with the very first pick. None of the players are considered to be a can't-miss prospect in the mold of Sidney Crosby or Alexander Ovechkin, but there is still plenty of talent available.

The No. 1 pick will likely be right wing Patrick Kane or centerman Kyle Turris, but even that's not a certainty.

Kane is the top-rated skater by International Scouting Services after turning in an unbelievable rookie season in the Ontario Hockey League. The Buffalo, NY native led the OHL in 2006-07 season with 145 points (62 goals, 83 assists) while playing in 58 games for the London Knights.

Kane also tallied five goals and four assists as member of Team USA's bronze- medal winning squad at the 2007 World Junior Championships. Has good speed, but his scoring prowess is primarily a result of his excellent stickhandling. At 5-9, 160 pounds, Kane has always had something to prove and so far he's exceeded expectations every step of the way.

Turris could be the best prospect to ever come out of the tier II British Columbia Hockey League. It was his size that originally kept Turris from playing in the major junior leagues, but his six-foot frame shows that he has since grown into his skill. He is the top-rated North American skater by NHL Central Scouting after notching 66 goals and 55 assists in 53 games for the Burnaby Express last season. Turris has blazing speed, a hard shot, excellent vision in the passing game, and may be the first BCHL player to go first overall in the NHL Entry Draft.

The best of the rest includes Russian winger Alexei Cherapanov, who set a Russian Super League rookie record by scoring 18 times for Avangard Omsk, breaking the mark set by Pavel Bure during the 1988-89 RSL campaign. Cherapanov is the top-rated European skater by Central Scouting.

After Kane, the next American expected to go in the draft is James Van Riemsdyk, a left wing prospect from Middletown, NJ. Van Riemsdyk, who played last year with the U.S. National Team Development Program, is already 6-3, 205 pounds and could fill out that frame and become a big-time power forward in the NHL. He will attend the University of New Hampshire in the fall of 2007, and should hone his game with the Wildcats.

The top defenseman this year is widely considered to be Karl Alzner, a 6-2, 206-pound blueliner from Calgary of the Western Hockey League. He is the sixth-ranked overall skater by the ISS after registering 47 points (8 goals, 39 assists) and posting a plus-16 in 63 games with the Hitmen in 2006-07. Alzner was also the youngest defenseman on the gold medal-winning Team Canada at the 2007 World Junior Championships.

This Burnaby, BC native is an excellent passer and strong skater who also knows how to use his 6-2, 206-pound frame. Alzner projects as at least a solid two-way defenseman in the NHL.

There isn't expected to be much in the way of goaltending talent this year and the first round could roll by without a single netminder getting drafted. NHL Central Scouting has named Jeremy Smith of Plymouth (OHL) as the top North American goaltender and Sweden's Joel Gistedt as the best European backstop available.

The lack of a standout name may also lead to a rush of trades, as teams near the top of the draft consider helping their team by swapping a high pick for more established players.

The first round of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft will begin Friday evening at 7 p.m. (et) and rounds 2-7 will start on Saturday morning at 10 a.m. The entire first-round order is as follows:

1. Chicago; 2. Philadelphia; 3. Phoenix; 4. Los Angeles; 5. Washington; 6. Edmonton; 7. Columbus; 8. Boston; 9. St. Louis; 10. Florida; 11. Carolina; 12. Montreal; 13. Toronto; 14. Colorado; 15. Edmonton (from NYI); 16. Anaheim (from TAM); 17. NY Rangers; 18. Calgary; 19. Minnesota; 20. Pittsburgh; 21. Phoenix (from DAL); 22. Montreal (from SJS); 23. Philadelphia (from NAS); 24. St. Louis (from ATL); 25. Vancouver; 26. St. Louis (from NJD via SJS) 27. Detroit; 28. Washington (from BUF); 29. Ottawa; 30. Edmonton (from ANA).

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Elite 8 NCAA Tournament Betting at online sportsbook MySportsbook.com

In what should be an outstanding Saturday of March Madness betting action, the top four teams in the South and West Regions square off in what should be extremely close match-ups. Three of the four teams are coming off extremely close games on Thursday evening, only UCLA won semi comfortably over Pitt 64-55.

Ohio State is coming off their second game in a row where in all reality they should have lost. Of course that doesn’t matter now since the name of the game is “survive and advance” but as the tournament continues, they can’t afford to keep getting down to their opponents early. Kansas also avoided a scare by holding off a scrappy Southern Illinois squad. In the third thrilling game of the evening Memphis pulled off the minor upset (+3.5) despite being the higher seed to Texas A&M.

Although the spreads are fairly small for Saturday’s games, MySportsbook.com continue to bet against the underdogs. Despite OSU’s two scares, 86% of the “betting public” feels the Buckeyes (-1.5) have what it takes to make the Final Four. In fact, so much of the early money is on OSU that the line has already moved from -1 to -1.5. In the second game of the doubleheader, Kansas and their high-powered offense are 2 point favorites as they take on UCLA and their effective defense. About 63% of the early money thus far is once again backing the favorites. If those percentages stay that high, don’t be surprised if this line moves as well. If you like Kansas (-2) you might want to jump on it early.

Memphis vs. Ohio State

Both squads were involved in thrillers on Thursday evening and should come out fired up. OSU can ill afford to get behind early like they did versus their previous two opponents (Xavier, Tennessee). Greg Oden needs to stay out of foul trouble; the Buckeyes are a completely different team when he is on the court. Memphis definitely has the athleticism and length to match-up with OSU. Of Memphis’ five leading minute earners, the shortest of the bunch is 6’5”. Each team has a very effective defense; Memphis surrenders 62.3 PPG whereas the Buckeyes give up only 61 PPG. With those type of numbers, it isn’t surprising that Memphis covered the UNDER almost 69% of the time this season. As a favorite, OSU has covered the UNDER almost 66% of the time over the last three seasons. The major concern for Memphis which is magnifies this time of the year is their brutal foul shooting (62%). This season, OSU is 17-11 ATS versus teams with a winning record and 7-2 ATS in all tournament games. Memphis has been an extremely reliable cover in tournament play in recent years with a 23-8 ATS record over the last three seasons.

UCLA vs. Kansas

In the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader, UCLA will play in a role which they are very unfamiliar with that of the underdog. Only twice this season have they been getting points from the handicappers and both times they covered. Over the last three seasons UCLA is a reliable 23-7 ATS in this unfamiliar role. UCLA has not fared well against Big 12 opponents recently going 1-7 ATS since 1997. Giving up only 59.6 PPG, UCLA will definitely look to do what they do best: keep this game as low scoring as possible. Their defense has been especially tough during the tournament. UCLA opponents have been able to muster up only 48.7 PPG while shooting a combined 34.5% from the field. UCLA definitely has a challenge at hand with a Kansas team that is capable of putting points on the board in bunches. As a team, they average 79 PPG and shoot an impressive 49.6% from the field and 39.4% from beyond the arc. During the tournament Kansas has been “lights out” from the field having shot 56.2%.

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Just like Day 1 of the “Sweet 16”, Friday’s games are chock full of some of the nation’s elite.  Unlike Thursday’s games, there is a little bit more of a “Cinderella” feel as #7 seed UNLV and #6 seed Vanderbilt will attempt to move on to the Elite Eight.  With powerhouses Florida, UNC and Georgetown looking to continue their momentum against lesser known teams, it isn’t surprising that once again the “betting public” is backing most of the favorites.  As the early coin rolls in, 56% of Sportsbook.com bettors prefer Georgetown (-7.5) as they take on Vanderbilt; 84% of the early money is backing Oregon (-3) as they square off against UNLV; and a slight majority (52%) of the early cash is on Florida (-10.5) against Butler as the Gators continue their quest for another National Title. The only favorite the public don’t seem confident in is UNC, as 59% of the cash is backing the underdog Trojans (+8).

Midwest

#1 Florida vs. #5 Butler

The defending National Champs have been on a mission since last April.  Joakim Noah and Al Horford turned down millions of dollars for one reason, to REPEAT.  After a late season hiccup which saw them lose three out of four, the Gators have won six straight by an average of 20.3 points. More importantly, they covered in five of those six games.  Behind their stymie defense that yields only 56.9 PPG, Butler has been a very pleasant surprise this season.  As their 20-11 ATS record will indicate, “surprise teams” like Butler are often good bets for gamblers.  Playing in an average conference, Butler wasn’t and underdog too often but when they were, they covered (6-0 ATS).  Butler’s defense will have its hands full against a Gators offense which averages 80.1 PPG on an amazing 52.9% shooting from the field.  With Florida’s tournament experience over the last few years, it isn’t surprising that they are 5-1 ATS this season, 20-4 ATS over the last three seasons and 38-20 since 1997 in tournament action.

#3 Oregon vs. #7 UNLV

As a #7 seed, UNLV is the closest thing to a “Cinderella” we have this year.  If you bet on UNLV this season with any regularity, you most likely cashed in. Behind their guard oriented attack, the Rebels are an impressive 20-11 ATS this season.  As an underdog they covered in 8 out of their ten games which isn’t surprising since they are 52-30 ATS as a ‘dog since 1997. The Rebels have been a consistent cover during the month of March as well.  This March they are 6-0 ATS, 11-3 ATS over the last three seasons and 24-11 since 1997. Their impressive ATS trends don’t end there; versus teams with a winning record they are 15-6 ATS this season and 41-21 over the last three seasons.  Although Oregon hasn’t been as generous to gamblers as UNLV this season, they have been covering consistently as of late.  There is no question that they are playing their best ball of the season having won their last 8 straight up (SU) by an average of 14.5 points. Not surprising they covered in 7 of those games.  It is interesting to note how similar these teams are in regards to scoring and scoring defense. UNLV averages 75 PPG while giving up 66.5 PPG and Oregon scores 75.8 PPG while yielding 65.5 PPG.

East

#6 Vanderbilt vs. #2 Georgetown

“Hoya Paranoia” is officially back! After a decent start, Georgetown has rolled through the second half of the season.  Over their last 18 games, they are 17-1 SU.  They have definitely improved ATS as the season has progressed as well. After opening the season 1-4-1 ATS, the Hoyas have covered 78.3% of their games.  With their great interior play of Jeff Green and Roy Hibbert, the Hoyas as a team shoot 50.5% from the field.  Like the Georgetown teams from years ago, they also excel on defense.  Hoya opponents averaged only 56.8 PPG on 38.2% shooting from the field and an extremely low 30.4% from beyond the arc.  The last stat could be of some concern to Vanderbilt considering they shoot 37.7% from long-range.  Ranking second to last in the SEC in rebounding margin, Vanderbilt will have its work cut out for them against the Hoya trees. As far as covering is concerned, Vanderbilt has been almost a “sure thing” (7-1 ATS) versus good defensive teams that allow less than 64 PPG.

#1 UNC vs. # 5 USC

The Tar Heels are as talented and as deep as any team in the country.  Going ten deep and chock full of HS All-Americans, UNC averages 86.1 PPG and scored 100+ seven times.  Led by All-American forward, Tyler Hansbrough (18.6 PPG 7.9 RPG) UNC has a very balanced attack which can kill you on the inside as well as on the perimeter.  UNC only real concern is their youth as eight of their rotation players are either sophomores or freshmen.  UNC was a reliable cover this season going 20-13 ATS.  An intriguing covering trend for the Tar Heels in recent years has been how they fared after non-conference games.  This season they are 11-3 ATS after non-conference games and over the last three seasons they are 31-13 ATS.  USC is also a pretty deep team which is loaded with swingman types.  An match-up to keep an eye on will be freshman forward Taj Gibson (12.1 PPG, 8.6 RPG) as he squares off against the AA Hansbrough.  USC has been a covering machine this season achieving a 21-10 record ATS.  They have thrived in the underdog role, having covered 10 out of 12.  When playing a team with a winning record, the Trojans are an incredible 20-6 ATS. Keep in mind, USC dedicated their season to former star to Ryan Francis who passed away before the season so as they get closer to the ultimate goal, emotion could definitely be on their side.

With Friday -105 juice on Basketball betting, MySportsbook.com is the place to bet on all of the “March Madness” action.  Don’t forget to monitor who the public is backing at this sportsbook “Betting Trends”.  By doing so, you have the best chance of predicting a possible line change, thus getting the best value for your wager.

To bet on March Madness games this online sportsbook accepts credit cards

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