NHL / Richard Douglas / 21 October 2009 / Leave a comment

Richard Douglas continues his run down on the teams competing for the Stanley Cup by looking at the Western Conference.

"It is tough to see the Blackhawks repeating their appearance in the Conference Final last season. Still a solid bet for the West."

Anaheim Ducks
Approx odds for Western Conference: [14.0]

Although the Ducks have re-aligned their side, they still may be able to repeat last seasons trip to the Conference Semi-Finals. They traded defensemen Chris Pronger and Francois Beauchemin to enlist Saku Koivu and Joffrey Lupul in offense.
Scott Niedermayer is 36 and has won the top prize four times in an illustrious career. He is the only player in history to have won the Stanley Cup, an Olympic gold medal, world championship, World Cup, Memorial Cup and world junior title. If he stays fit, he can be the sides talisman.

Calgary Flames
Approx odds: [11.0]

A red-hot blue-line comprised of Jay Bouwmeester and Dion Phaneuf will give Calgary a meaner look. However Michael Cammalleri left for Montreal and has taken some of the teams goals with him. A decent side.

Chicago Blackhawks
Approx odds: [5.0]

Big summer signing Marian Hossa will not join up until he is over surgery in November. However his arrival forced last years top scorer, Martin Havlat, out the door. John Madden and Tomas Kopecky are solid signings too, however it is tough to see the Blackhawks repeating their appearance in the Conference Final last season. Still a solid bet for the West.

Colorado Avalanche
Approx odds: [67.0]

All the pre-season predictions of doom have been defied in the opening eight games. Six wins plus one in overtime have left them top of the Western Conference. They were 10 points adrift at the bottom last year but that is now looking like a blip. Remember it was the first time they have missed the Play-offs since 1994. With a rookie General Manager and coach plus the retirement of Joe Sakic, they will still struggle for experience though.

Columbus Blue Jackets
Approx odds: [23.0]

It cost Columbus a cool $62 million to keep Rick Nash at the club but if the left-wing believes in the franchise that much then they may have a chance. Keeper Steve Mason is a huge influence too. Went out of the Play-Off at the first stage last season but began this term with five wins from six games.

Dallas Stars
Approx odds: [34.0]

Missed out on the Play-offs for the first time in six seasons last time around. However much of that was down to the knee injury sustained by captain Brenden Morrow. New coach Marc Crawford failed with the Kings a few years ago but may make a better fist of it with greater talent at his disposal.

Detroit Red Wings
Approx odds: [5.4]

Winners two years ago, runners-up in April, the Red Wings will be contenders again. But they are certainly weaker than last their campaign. Marian Hossa, Jiri Hudler, Mikael Samuelson and Justin Abdelkader will all be missed. However any side with Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg and Tomas Holmstrom in it will be worthy of respect.

Edmonton Oilers
Approx: [29.0]

New coach Pat Quinn has a solid, mobile defence at his disposal and speed up front, however there is no real poacher. They tried hard to sign Dany Heatley and you could see why. The experienced Mike Comrie is back after leaving the Oilers under a cloud. He may not have as many goals in him this time. The Oilers have started well but it will be a struggle to make the Play-offs.

Los Angeles Kings
Approx odds: [26.0]

The Kings have been the most improved team in the West in the last two campaigns. Bringing in Rob Scuderi from Pittsburgh and Ryan Smyth from Colorado will help. Jonathan Quick should improve on an impressive rookie season last time out.

Minnesota Wild
Approx odds: [51.0]

New coach Todd Richards has replaced Jacques Lemaire and has the task of turning a safety-first team into an attacking unit. The loss of Marian Gaborik to the New York Rangers is balanced by the arrival of Martin Havlat, who had impressive statistics at the Chicago Blackhawks.

Nashville Predators
Approx odds: [51.0]

It is an overachievement for them to be competitive at all. The Predators simply dont have the finances to go far. Trading Scott Nichol and Vernon Fiddler over the summer will not help them at all. However Steve Sullivan returns after a back injury had kept him sidelined for more than two years.

Phoenix Coyotes
Approx odds: [67.0]

Certainly flat broke and likely to be rock bottom. Hockey God Wayne Gretsky left in sad circumstances last year and, given their position, Dave Tippett is great replacement as coach. However bankruptcy is rumoured to mean the franchise will move to Hamilton, Canada, sooner or later. Considering all that, five wins from their first seven games is a superb return.

San Jose Sharks
Approx odds: [5.5]

The perennial underachievers could seduce you again but try to resist. The Sharks did a lot of trading in the summer. Dany Heatley finally extricated himself from Ottawa but his arrival meant Jonathan Cheechoo and Milan Michalek went the other way. Heatley, Joe Thornton and Devin Setoguchi could form a beast of a blue-line. But history tells you something will go wrong.

St Louis Blues
Approx odds: [21.0]

A late push got them in the Play-offs last term but they did not last long. No big business over the summer but Paul Kariya and Erik Johnson will feel like new signings after missing over 150 games between them last term. May go further than last term.

Vancouver Canucks
Approx odds: [12.0]

Goalie Roberto Luongo has to stay fit if the Canucks can go further than their Conference Semi-Final appearance last term. The captain had a shut-out streak of 242 minutes before his groin problems. Losing Mattias Ohlund is a blow but getting the Sedin twins on new contracts maintains stability.

Tags: NHL Betting Odds, NHL Western Conference Betting Odds.