Things are Finally Looking Up in Toronto
The Toronto Maple Leafs were the worst team in the NHL last year, but matters are (finally) starting to appear in the Big Smoke.
Toronto has been in a clear reconstruct since Brendan Shanahan took over the reins as club president in 2014, and Shanny has made some great strides in a bid to generate the Leafs related again.
Launched in Mike Babcock as trainer has already started to pay dividends, along with an influx of young talent highlighted by 2016 No. 1 overall choice Auston Matthews has enthusiasts in the GTA eager for the first time in quite a while.
For a franchise which spent the greater part of a decade treading water as a result of questionable leading office decisions, that means something. Here’s a look at the Maple Leafs’ chances in the upcoming season, courtesy of BetOnline.
Stanley Cup +5000
If you ever wish to get a dig in at your Leafs fan friend, just mention the year 1967. They will know what you’re talking about. By the time the 2016-17 NHL season wraps up, it is going to be 50 years since the Stanley Cup arrived to Toronto. The Leafs are improving, but don’t bank on that trend changing this season.
Eastern Conference +2500
Toronto sits tied with the New Jersey Devils and Ottawa Senators for the 11th-worst chances to represent the Eastern Conference in the Stanley Cup final, ahead of Buffalo (+2800), Carolina (+3300) and Columbus (+3300).
The Leafs have been in the bottom of the barrel in this respect over the prior few decades, so at least it shows oddsmakers are starting to show them some respect.
Atlantic Division +1500
Tampa Bay (+130), Florida (+400), Boston (+650), Detroit (+650), Montreal (+700) and Buffalo (+1500) are deservedly rated ahead of their Buds in divisional futures. Provincial rival Ottawa sits tied with the Maple Leafs at +1500. That seems pretty fair to me.
Point complete OVER/UNDER 81.5
Considering that the NHL’s new point system has been introduced in 2005, Toronto has eclipsed 81 points twice. On the other hand, the Leafs have gone over that amount only once in the previous four campaigns. In 2014-15 they ended up with a pitiful 68 points, simply to put up 69 last year.
To view 81.5 on the plank is somewhat surprising, but it really goes to show that this team is moving in the ideal direction. I’m not convinced enough to observe much progress just yet, nevertheless, so I would take the UNDER in this situation.
Read more: http://sscommcorp.com/free-bet-calculator-calculate-your-sports-bet-returns-online/
