Sports Betting Handicappers Note Big NHL Trade. The Chicago Blackhawks are the Stanley Cup champions but that didn’t stop them from making a big trade that may impact next year’s sports betting NHL odds. The Blackhawks traded Dustin Byfuglien, Ben Eager and Brent Sopel to the Atlanta Thrashers for a first-round pick, a second-round pick, prospect Jeremy Morin and forward Marty Reasoner. It sure looks to sports betting online handicappers that the Thrashers got the better of that deal at least for now.
Sports betting odds on Atlanta could improve next season with the addition of the three players. Byfuglien was a big force in the Stanley Cup playoffs while Eager and Sopel are very good defensively. The two picks that the Blackhawks got were no big deal to Atlanta since they are the ones the Thrashers got in the Ilya Kovalchuk trade last February. Perhaps the Blackhawks can draft well and have prospect Akim Aliu play well. It sure is a big loss though to lose Byfuglien who was a very good player for Chicago.
A big part of this trade was money as the Blackhawks needed to dump salary. They have to get extension done for Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and Duncan Keith. They save over $5 million in cap space with this trade. The Hawks may not be done either, as they have Patrick Sharp and Kris Versteeg making big money.
Byfuglien made a name for himself in the Stanley Cup Finals against Philadelphia as he dominated Flyers defenseman Chris Pronger. Byfuglien had two goals and two assists in Game 5. He finished the regular season with 17 goals and 17 assists in the regular season. Eager posted seven goals and nine assists while Sopel was a very solid defenseman for Chicago.
The Thrashers really lose nothing as Reasoner had just four goals and 13 assists this past season. Now they get a big forward who can score and two very good defensive players who can make an impact. The Thrashers could be a team to watch next season vs. the NHL sports betting odds. They are making some very good moves in an attempt to make the playoffs. This trade with Chicago is just the latest move. Keep an eye on Atlanta as you bet NHL action next season.