2008 NHL Stanley Cup - Who will win? What are the predictions and odds?

So who, besides their own team, do some of the All-Stars think is the favorite to win it all this season? Judging by an informal poll, it will be either Detroit or Anaheim.

Manny Legace, St. Louis goalie: "Obviously, Detroit. Every year. Top to bottom, they're just solid. The goaltending is unbelievable. It's going to be a scary team."

Eric Staal, Carolina forward: "I can't pick anybody besides us, it would jinx so. So I say Carolina."Mike Ribeiro, Dallas forward: "Should I be nice and say Atlanta?" No. "Detroit."

Tomas Vokoun, Florida goalie: "I think Anaheim. They're built well for the playoffs. Obviously, their defense is by far the best in the league."

Jason Arnott, Nasvhille forward: "I'd have to say either Anaheim or Detroit."

Corey Perry, Anaheim forward: "Detroit probably. We played them last week and they're good. They control the puck well."

Chris Osgood, Detroit goalie: "Anaheim. They're a complete team and a team built for the playoffs. They're big and tough and have a lot of talent. They've won before, so they know what it takes to win."

BONUS PICK: Alyssa Milano, actress and hockey fan: "I'd say Detroit. They just look really good and they're really consistent."

The Anaheim Ducks are probably the best team in the league if they have Scott Niedermayer and Teemu Selanne on their roster playing as well as they did last year. Niedermayer will likely join the team in mid-season while Selanne is an unrestricted free agent. However, Selanne has stated that if he does decide to come back for another year it would only be to play for the Ducks. Anaheim has a chance at defending their Stanley Cup title, although no team has taken back-to-back championships since the Red Wings in 1997-98. The Ducks have an excellent mix of veteran stars and young talent and that combination should make them one of the top teams in the league once again.

Losing Daniel Briere and Chris Drury will effect the Buffalo Sabres this season. How they adjust will be a good test for many of their young stars. This club's greatest weapon has been and remains its depth in quality young talent, most of which are all well under 30. The Sabres still have scoring depth in their lineup and they will be difficult to beat.

The Ottawa Senators earned a playoff berth for the 10th straight year in 2006/07. The Senators will have basically the same team as they did last year so they should be considered legitimate Cup contenders. Last year's head coach Bryan Murray vacated his position to become the franchise's general manager. John Paddock will take over for Murray as the new head coach.

The Detroit Red Wings have made 16 straight playoff appearances, the longest current streak among teams in the four major North American sports. The Red Wings have gained 108 points or more in every campaign since 1999/2000. Last season's anticipated decline never occurred, and as their performance in the 2007 playoffs indicated they're still very much a Stanley Cup contender. Dominik Hasek is a top goalie, even at age 42, but he is a serious injury risk given his history of groin problems. Should Hasek stay healthy, Detroit could win the West Conference.

Favorites:

Anaheim Ducks - 11/2

Ottawa Senators - 6/1

Detroit Red Wings - 8/1

Buffalo Sabres - 10/1

New York Rangers - 11/1

Longshots:

Phoenix Coyotes - 125/1

Chicago Blackhawks - 100/1

Columbus Blue Jackets - 85/1

Edmonton Oilers - 75/1

New York Islanders - 60/1

People aren't really paying attention to the NHL with these odds right now. Buffalo at 10 to 1 with the bad offseason that they had? Please. The Islanders, a playoff team last year, are the lowest ranked Eastern Conference team. Over Florida, Philly, Boston and Washington? Ugh. Maybe VegasInsider.com needs to get a better oddsmaker for the NHL Stanley Cup and hockey in general.

Fantasy hockey owners don't want flowers, chocolate, or stuffed teddy bears that will just collect dust within two days from now. So, here is a better Valentine's Day present: The Cupid edition of the NHL fantasy stock report.

----------

Note: This column is taken from the Feb. 14 cover story on www.profantasysports.com:

The hockey world was shaken up after the Carolina Hurricanes and Ottawa Senators pulled off a trade involving players that could help their new respective teams either win the Stanley Cup or make a serious run in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

What happens in the NHL obviously affects your fantasy team, thus three of the players in this week’s Stock Report are somehow involved in the blockbuster, which took place last week.

As a matter of fact, the trade deadline for many formats should be approaching. Have you explored a potential deal for your squad?

STOCK UP—

LW Cory Stillman, Ottawa Senators

Arguably the best player in the ‘Canes and Senators swap has been a potent threat on offense in all formats for quite some time now— no one can deny that. However, with this move, has he really tapped his potential? Moving to the most proficient offense in hockey can only help his statistics. Not to mention, he might be inserted into the first line alongside any combination of Jason Spezza, Daniel Alfredsson and Dany Heatley. If he’s already picked up in your league, do what Ottawa did— go get him.

RW Keith Aucoin, Carolina Hurricanes

The man has talent, but it’s the constant trips to and from Albany, Carolina’s AHL affiliate, that has owners shying away from gambling on him. Now, it may be safe to bite the bait. Aucoin is one of the Hurricanes who will benefit from Stillman’s departure because he might be the best candidate to fill in on the Erik Cole and Eric Staal line.

LW Ryan Malone, Pittsburgh Penguins

There have been several Penguins that have been overlooked because of Evgeni Malkin’s outburst this month— Malone being one of them. The left-winger has recorded 13 points in the last nine games without Sidney Crosby. Crosby has begun to skate lightly, but is still a couple of weeks away from returning and taking shots away from teammates. Keep Malone and other promising Penguins in your lineup until further notice.

RW Nathan Horton, Florida Panthers

Horton has been extremely hot ever since the all-star break, but this past week was insane. He has scored a goal in five of his last six games, and is working on a streak of four straight. Who knows how long this kind of production will last, so grab him now and ride the hot streak. On another note, there has been some talk of Florida parting ways with Olli Jokinen, which is another good sign for Horton to get more ice time.

D Johnny Oduya, New Jersey Devils

Think you know who the most productive defenseman in the game has been lately? I’d challenge, “Oh, do ya?” Look at the numbers, and you’ll see Oduya has been one of the most consistent players at his position in the game this month and has continued his great production. He has points in every game this month but two. Chances are, he is available in your league, and if you were a Sheldon Souray or Nik Kronwall owner, he can serve as a great temporary replacement.

STOCK DOWN—

RW Chris Neil, Ottawa Senators

Neil has been somewhat of a frustration to owners because he only has 19 points as of Wednesday on one of, if not the, best offenses in the NHL. He’s served as a solid No. 2 winger and now moves down the depth chart. Look for his production to shrink from here on out.

G Mathieu Garon, Edmonton Oilers

Garon has been solid in net, posting a stellar 2.39 goals against average with 18 wins this year, but this week will be quite a test. He is facing Niklas Backstrom, Evgeni Nabokov and Roberto Luongo. If you choose to hold on to him as your No. 2 option for the remainder of the year, you still might want to sit him for a bit.

C Peter Prucha, New York Rangers

Prucha left Sunday’s game against the Washington Capitals with a minor shoulder injury and that could hamper his play even more so. He has just one point in the last six games.

C Jeff Carter, Philadelphia Flyers

Known for being streaky to begin with, Carter hasn’t brought anything to the table in quite some time. He hasn’t scored in nine games and assisted on three goals in his last eight, which isn’t too impressive on the Flyers’ rolling offense.

C Tyler Arnason, Colorado Avalanche

With Joe Sakic’s return on the horizon, he will get bumped down a notch on Colorado’s depth chart. It’s safe to say he hasn’t made the most of his opportunity because his numbers during Sakic’s absence haven’t been overwhelming.

Odds to win the 2007-08 Western Conference Championship

Anaheim Ducks 3/1

Calgary Flames 10/1

Chicago Blackhawks 40/1

Colorado Avalanche 12/1

Columbus Blue Jackets 65/1

Dallas Stars 6/1

Detroit Red Wings 11/10

Edmonton Oilers 100/1

Los Angeles Kings 200/1

Minnesota Wild 14/1

Nashville Predators 18/1

Phoenix Coyotes 50/1

San Jose Sharks 8/1

St. Louis Blues 30/1

Vancouver Canucks 16/1

Odds to win the 2007-08 Eastern Conference Championship

Atlanta Thrashers 40/1

Boston Bruins 20/1

Buffalo Sabres 12/1

Carolina Hurricanes 16/1

Florida Panthers 50/1

Montreal Canadiens 6/1

New Jersey Devils 6/1

New York Islanders 50/1

New York Rangers 9/1

Ottawa Senators 9/4

Philadelphia Flyers 12/1

Pittsburgh Penguins 4/1

Tampa Bay Lightning 60/1

Toronto Maple Leafs 75/1

Washington Capitals 12/1

Odds to win the 2007-08 Stanley Cup

Anaheim Ducks 11/2

Atlanta Thrashers 70/1

Boston Bruins 40/1

Buffalo Sabres 25/1

Calgary Flames 20/1

Carolina Hurricanes 30/1

Chicago Blackhawks 80/1

Colorado Avalanche 25/1

Columbus Blue Jackets 100/1

Dallas Stars 14/1

Detroit Red Wings 3/1

Edmonton Oilers 150/1

Florida Panthers 100/1

Los Angeles Kings 300/1

Minnesota Wild 20/1

Montreal Canadiens 12/1

Nashville Predators 50/1

New Jersey Devils 12/1

New York Islanders 90/1

New York Rangers 16/1

Ottawa Senators 6/1

Philadelphia Flyers 25/1

Phoenix Coyotes 100/1

Pittsburgh Penguins 11/1

San Jose Sharks 12/1

St. Louis Blues 70/1

Tampa Bay Lightning 125/1

Toronto Maple Leafs 150/1

Vancouver Canucks 25/1

Washington Capitals 30/1

Who will win the NHL Stanley Cup finals?

NHL Stanley Cup winner is the Pittsburgh Penguins. You heard it here first.