Sports betting fans are beginning to get their predictions in for who will win the 2010 – 2011 Stanley Cup. Well online betting enthusiasts beware as although this offseason was quiet in terms of free agent talent, one of the busiest teams will be this year’s Stanley Cup winner.
That’s right fans out in Canada, this year we think that a Canadian team will finally break the 17 year curse. Ever since the Montreal Canadians won the Stanley Cup back in 1993 against the Los Angeles Kings, no Canadian team has been able to hoist the greatest prize in all of sports. However, Vancouver Canucks fans, your 16 year drought without making it to a final may be over this year.
This offseason, the busiest team from June 26th the day of the NHL Entry Draft until now were the boys on the West Coast. Already having a relatively solid core of the Sedin brothers, Ryan Kessler, Alex Burrows, Mason Raymond and Roberto Luongo, Canucks GM Mike Gillis felt his team was lacking a punch. Instead of improve from within the organization, Gillis went out and bought two of the best defenseman in the league in Dan Hamhuis and Keith Ballard. On top of this, Gillis felt his bottom six forwards were really lacking, so he went out and got the best faceoff man and penalty killer in the game, Manny Malholtra.
Although he acquired all of the free agents mentioned above, perhaps the biggest move Gillis made was finally deciding on bringing up goalie prospect Cory Schneider. Fans when the Canucks hoist the 2010-2011 version of Lord Stanley’s Mug, you can thank Schneider. Essentially on any other team Schneider is your starting goalie, but on Vancouver he will be the backup goalie to long term star goalie Roberto Luongo.
Why Will This Move Put Them Over The Top?
Since Luongo arrived in Vancouver, the man has been a workhorse averaging at least 70 games a season. As a result by the time the Canucks get to the playoffs, Luongo is on his last legs and can’t make it through a long playoff drive. Enter Schneider, who himself is a workhorse. Do not be surprised if two things occur this season, first Schneider plays at least 25 to 30 games which will give Luongo enough time to rest. Secondly, Schneider has been amazing in the minors to say the least. If he can convert that success to the big show, and Luongo struggles in the playoffs, do not be surprised if Schneider comes in and guides the Canucks to their first Stanley Cup.
