NHL bettors are saying tanks to the Blackhawks

Circa Sports oddsman Jeff Davis cooked his hockey books. He believes the Chicago Blackhawks are trying to tank the team. Davis reckons the Blackhawks will try to sign Connor Bedard, a 17-year-old center from Regina Pats. Jack Johnson's signing makes the Hawks look like they're trying, but Davis thinks they are not. He reckens the roster is not good enough to make the playoffs.

Chicago has missed the playoffs four of the last five seasons. The Blackhawks might flirt with a second 50-point full season since 1995-96.

Chicago won three Stanley Cups in 2010, 2013 and 2015. The Blackhawks have seven triple-digit point seasons in nine seasons. Chicago is 1,000-to-1 to win the Stanley Cup this season. Colorado won the Cup last season and is the favorite to repeat it. Denver's last-season record was 48 points. Colorado and Chicago play each other on Oct. 12. John the Barber favors Columbus. Patrick Kane is 100- to-one to receive the Hart Trophy. Petr Mrazek is 300-2 to be Vezina winner.

The Blackhawks signed Seth Jones to an eight-year contract worth $76 million in July 2021. Colorado signed Cale Makar for six seasons at $54 million. Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane are a combined $21 million cap hit. Andreas Athanasiou and Max Domi are both on single-season $3 million deals. Chicago has $27 million of salary room next summer.

The Hockey News called Bedard the future of the game four years ago.