#Pat Verbeek

It's that time of year again - time to start a new year, and have some fun with predictions for the next 12 months. These are honest-to-goodness educated guesses as to what we see taking place in 2023: Some - this writer included - thought the Blues would be a force to reckon with in the Western Conference. Instead, they've lost more than they've…

In the first half of 2022-23, the Ducks seemed to be ascending in a wide-open Pacific Division. By mid-November, they were riding an eight-game winning streak and held a 10-4-3 record, buoyed by an incredible goal-scoring binge from right winger Troy Terry, who buried 24 goals in his first 41 games. The momentum didn't last, however. They had a…

December slugs onward as the Christmas roster freeze nears rapidly. This comes next week, making firing a coach even more difficult, but never say never. However, our coaches fired count for the 2022-23 season remains at zero. Some coaches end up here perpetually because of their team's performance, and some out of nerves. Is everyone ready to…

NHL Notebook: Oilers likely open to moving 2023 first-round pick, NHL not interested in negotiating salary cap increase, and more The Edmonton Oilers haven't used their first-round pick in a trade deadline move since all the way back in 2006. That year, the Oilers badly needed a starting goaltender so Kevin Lowe ponied up the team's top draft pick…

It bothers Pat Verbeek that the Ducks are losing a lot. This was a player whose "Little Ball of Hate" nickname was created out of his legendary competitiveness. But as a first-time general manager overseeing a rebuild - and, perhaps bigger, a huge transition into a new era - Verbeek is also pragmatic about the painful process that the franchise…

There are a ton of NHL teams in win-now mode these days. It seems like everyone is going for it, with the pursuit of Stanley Cup glory being taken at all costs. Last Saturday, we even looked at five teams who are the most committed to winning the Cup. But for the majority that are all-in, there's a minority on the other end of the spectrum working…

Every year, there are NHL teams that go into the season withlittle chance to reach the playoffs. Usually, they put on a respectable show oftrying to win but the end result comes as no surprise. Here are our top picks to finish with the NHL's worst record in 2022-23. The quest for the worst record in the NHL comeswith the reward of having the best…

The NHL opens up in four more American cities this Wednesday. Colorado raises their Stanley Cup banner against the Chicago Blackhawks. Seattle travels to Anaheim. Boston renews acquaintances against the Washington Capitals. Finally, the Carolina Hurricanes entertain the Columbus Blue Jackets. Risk Free Bet up to $1000 Bonus Code: GAMBLINGCOM 21+,…

The NHL might not be wide open this season. But it feels uncertain. The league's flat salary cap the past three years is causing issues for many of the top teams. Out of the five best clubs recordwise last season, three - Colorado, Toronto and Minnesota - will have a new primary goaltender. Another, Pacific Division winner Calgary, lost two-thirds…

A quick mix of the things we gleaned from the week of hockey, serious and less so, and rolling four lines deep. My wife insists the toothpaste be cap-compliant by opening night. 1. Wayne Simmonds may not enjoy the precarious situation he finds himself in - what with the Toronto Maple Leafs roster guillotine raised and ready to slice downward any…

With the NHL season arriving, now is the time for fans and bettors to really start perusing the futures markets. There's no shortage of markets for fans to wager on, from picking your team to win the Stanley Cup to betting on various of player awards. We searched the futures bets available at NorthStar Bets high and low to pick out some of our…

Published every Wednesday, we will take stock of all 32 teams and move them up and down as the season progresses based on their weekly performance. The reason? To ascertain a clear hierarchy of teams by the conclusion of the season, and also because lists are fun. (Scroll to the very bottom to see your favorite team). Last season, 15 of the top 16…

The Pacific Division is probably the weakest it's been in quite some time. Outside of the Calgary Flames and the Edmonton Oilers, there's reason to believe that any of the remaining five teams in the division could vie for that third playoff spot or the wild card position - well, except for the San Jose Sharks, who are presently in no man's land…

It is always fun to look at NHL team point totals andfind potential value. Actually, it is fun to do it when seeking out Over picks, theteams that can exceed expectations. The process might be a little moredepressing when it comes to finding Under picks on team totals, but there is stillvalue in the NHL betting markets. One of the reasons finding…

It might come across as a surprise to some that Keefe is on the hot seat and the favorite to be canned first. After all, he did just lead the Maple Leafs to a franchise record 115-point regular season. However, for the third year in a row, Keefe couldn't win a playoff round, something the Leafs haven't done since 2004. For a team that's a top…