Lightning Reshaping Roster and NHL Betting

One of the most active teams in the NHL off-season has been the Tampa Bay Lightning. They had the worst record in the NHL last season but ownership promised massive changes and they are delivering. They started by hiring Barry Melrose as their new head coach and continued by signing a number of free agents.

The Lightning will definitely be a force in NHL betting in 2008. The latest pickup by Tampa Bay was forward Mark Recchi who they signed to a one year contract.

Recchi is a seven-time All-Star who has played 19 NHL seasons. He had 14 goals and 48 points in 72 games last season. The Lightning signed Radim Vrbata to a $9 million, three-year deal earlier this month. They also signed goalie Olaf Kolzig; right wing Adam Hall; and center Wyatt Smith recently.

Kolzig provides immediate depth in goal and could easily find himself with the #1 job to start the season. He also makes Tampa a possible under play in NHL betting.

Interest in Tampa Bay NHL odds has increased and the Lightning should attract some good NHL betting interest. The Tampa Bay team will look so much different that most fans won’t recognize it. They will also play differently under Melrose.

Everything you knew about Tampa in terms of NHL betting should also be thrown out the window. Melrose will play a tough physical style of hockey and his teams won’t get pushed around.

Tampa Bay also signed Ryan Malone, defenseman Andrew Hutchinson, Vaclav Prospal, Jussi Jokinen, Michel Ouellet, Steve Stamkos and Gary Roberts. They did lose defenseman Dan Boyle to San Jose put picked up top prospect Ty Wishart who many people believe can be as good as Boyle.

The Lightning also got Brian Rolston from Minnesota. Rolston was another one of the top pickups in the off-season for Tampa and he could impact Tampa’s NHL betting odds.

As you look at NHL betting this season you may want to keep your eye on Tampa Bay. They should be exciting and full of energy and that is the type of team you want to take as you bet NHL odds this season.

is offering NHL odds on the Tampa Bay Lightning to win the 2009 Stanley Cup at 20-1.

also has the Lightning at 9-1 in NHL odds for winning the 2009 Eastern Conference.