Vancouver Canucks Odds - Canucks ready to join NHL's elite

The Vancouver Canucks odds took online betting fans on a rollercoaster in 2008-09, as the team started the season as bottom dwellers before dominating the league in the second half and winning the Northwest division. This year should be easier on the heart; the Canucks are young, fast, defensively sound and ready to play good hockey all season.

Vancouver Canucks Odds: Canucks aren’t flashy, but they’re deep and well-rounded

• Sedins aren’t the only source of offense anymore
  
• Defensive corps brings a little bit of everything to the table
  
• Roberto Luongo gives them a chance to win every night

Vancouver Canucks odds maker breakdown: OFFENSE
The Canucks’ offense may not be flashy, but it’s slowly improving. Retaining Henrik and Daniel Sedin was a major coup; while the twins may not be true first-liners, they’re still talented players who work extremely well together and produce at a point-per-game clip. The emergence of Ryan Kesler and Alex Burrows as game-breaking forwards finally made Vancouver a two-line team last year and the was arguably the biggest reason for the turnaround. Even if Mats Sundin doesn’t return, Cody Hodgson could make the team and is a legit threat to win Rookie of the Year honors. He could be the league’s next great power forward.

Vancouver Canucks odds maker breakdown: DEFENSE
The Canucks were among the NHL’s stingiest teams last season and hockey betting fans should expect the trend to continue. Roberto Luongo alone can bolster any team’s defense, but part of what makes Vancouver special is the “D” it gets from its forwards. Kesler and Burrows are two of the best two-way forwards in the league and really showed that in the playoffs.

At the blueline, the Canucks lack a true No. 1 but have a deep, well-rounded group. Christian Ehrhoff could take over as the team’s minutes leader; Kevin Bieksa and Willie Mitchell are bruisers; Sami Salo has the type of shot that breaks goalie’s catching hands; Mathieu Schneider is still a great power-play quarterback.

Vancouver Canucks odds maker breakdown: GOALTENDING
Forget the egg Roberto Luongo laid against Chicago in the playoffs; he’s still the most freakishly talented netminder on the planet, a rare combination of size, athleticism and technical proficiency. He steals five or 10 games on his own every year and should do so again for the Canucks in 2009-10.

Vancouver Canucks odds maker breakdown: SPECIAL TEAMS
The Canucks ranked in the middle of the pack in both special teams categories last year but could see minor improvement across the board. Schneider and Ehrhoff are better puck movers than the Canucks are used to and could inject life into the power play; any penalty-killing unit with Kesler and Burrows, not to mention Luongo, has potential to improve.

Vancouver Canucks odds maker breakdown: SEASON OUTLOOK
The Canucks remain a polarizing team in sportsbook circles; are they overrated? Underrated? I think they were overrated entering 2008-09 and may be underrated this season. Chicago looks like the class of the West and the Red Wings and Sharks get the attention, but the Canucks have the youth and depth to surpass juggernauts Detroit and San Jose. At the very least, they should lock up another Northwest division title this year.

Bookmark the Betting Edge at BetOnline.com for comprehensive sports betting tips every day. For more on the Vancouver Canucks odds, check out our stats section.

Who better to offer great sports betting and hockey tips than a native Canadian? Like any good Canuck, Don Melrose eats, sleeps, breathes and bets hockey, making him the perfect NHL handicapper. Thoughts or questions? Email Comments@BetOnline.com.