Here are the preseason odds which relate to the Nashville Predators, as provided by Bovada Sportsbook:
Odds to Win the Central Division
St. Louis Blues 9/4
Nashville Predators 11/2
My Reaction: Are you kidding me? I’m not a gambler, but the Preds seem to be undervalued significantly here.
Over/Under Points Totals
Chicago Blackhawks 57½
St. Louis Blues 57½
Detroit Red Wings 56½
Nashville Predators 53½
Columbus Blue Jackets 47½
Reaction: I’ll take the Under on Columbus, please! By the way, the 53.5 mark for Nashville would translate to about 93 points in a typical NHL regular season, while they’ve averaged 101 over the last three.
Odds to Win the 2013 Norris Trophy
Erik Karlsson (OTT) 4/1
Zdeno Chara (BOS) 9/2
Shea Weber (NAS) 13/2
Kris Letang (PIT) 7/1
Ryan Suter (MIN) 10/1
Reaction: Suter winning would be a real groaner around these parts, that’s for sure.
Odds to Win the 2013 Vezina Trophy
Henrik Lundqvist (NYR) 4/1
Jonathan Quick (LA) 5/1
Pekka Rinne (NAS) 7/1
Ryan Miller (BUF) 8/1
Jimmy Howard (DET) 9/1
Reaction: Our man Peks is in the hunt, right where he belongs. This can be a real wild card, however.
Odds the Nashville Predators Will Make the Playoffs
Yes -165 (20/33)
No +135 (37/20)
Reaction: Meh.
So what do you think? Is it time to head over to Bovada and bet the farm?
UPDATE: Per request, here’s what the odds were to win the Central Division at the start of last season, for comparison’s sake:
Odds to win the 2012 Central Division
Detroit Red Wings 10/11
Chicago Blackhawks 11/5
Nashville Predators 15/4
St Louis Blues
Columbus Blue Jackets 30/1