End in sight for Kovalchuk saga...maybe
Hockey Betting Lines
09/01/2010 -
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - It's shocking that Ilya Kovalchuk has not
yet found a home for the 2010-11 season, and now it appears the biggest hockey
story of the summer will linger on until at least the end of the week.
The hockey world awaited the NHL's ruling on the New Jersey Devils' latest
contract offer to the Russian winger, but that decision, which was supposed to
be delivered by 5 p.m. (et) on Wednesday, has been postponed. According to a
statement released by the league about an hour before that deadline, the NHL
and the NHLPA mutually agreed to push the decision back until 5 p.m. (et) on
Friday.
The Twitterverse has already had fun with the cluelessness of the NHL's
decision to possibly announce the biggest signing of the summer while most
folks in the U.S. will have already shifted gears to their Labor Day weekend
plans. But, in the age of the Blackberry, social networking and ESPN's bottom
line, if you truly care about the Kovalchuk decision, then most likely you
will come across the information at some point this weekend.
Of course, the real story here is what this delay means in terms of the NHL's
ultimate decision concerning Kovalchuk and the Devils. It could be good news
for the Devils if the league likes what it sees, but just needs additional
time to go over some finer points of the contract with the NHLPA. Or, maybe
the NHL is closer to rejecting the deal and the players association is trying
to convince league officials otherwise.
It's all more or less speculation at this point because so much of the
Kovalchuk story this summer has unfolded behind closed doors. Also, in order
to truly understand the sticking points at the heart of the controversy one
would be forced to sift through the legal gobbledygook that permeates the
Collective Bargaining Agreement, a task I wouldn't wish on anybody.
What we do know is that the NHL seems to hold the upper hand in this battle,
since independent arbitrator Richard Bloch upheld the league's decision to
void the previous contract agreed upon by the Devils and the superstar sniper.
That deal was worth $102 million over 17 years while the contract that was
submitted to the league last week is reported to be for 15 years and $100
million, according to Nick Kypreos of Sportsnet.ca.
The real issue at hand is the NHL's insistence on stopping teams from
deliberately circumventing the salary cap, and judging by the breakdown
released by Kypreos, the Devils certainly took the league's concerns seriously
this time around. The annual cap hit jumped from $6 million to $6.67 million
and the new deal is not as dramatically front-loaded as the contract that was
previously rejected by the league.
If the deal is accepted, the Devils will obviously be happy to have landed
Kovalchuk on a long-term basis, but they won't have ample time to celebrate.
The winger's big contract will force New Jersey to make some moves to get
under the salary cap by the last day of training camp, something the Devils
will be more than willing to do to make room for a guy who has amassed 338
goals and 642 points over 621 NHL games.
On the other hand, it's hard to say what Kovalchuk will decide to do if this
latest deal is rejected. He may decide to jump ship for Russia and the KHL,
which begins its season on September 8, or he could remain in North America
and continue to try and work a deal out with the Devils or another NHL team.
Although, at this point it appears that Jersey is the leader in a one-team
race for Kovalchuk's services.
If Kovalchuk does decide to play professionally next season in Russia, he is
likely to remain in his home country for the entire campaign. Earlier reports
indicating that he would have an NHL "out" clause if he signed with a KHL club
in 2010-11 were refuted by Kovalchuk's Russian agent Yuri Nikolaev, who said
his client would play at least a full season in the KHL if he went to play
there at all.
In the long run Kovalchuk will get what is coming to him. He is one of the
supreme goal-scorers in the world, and at 27 years old, is simply trying to
get paid accordingly for the special set of offensive skills he brings to the
ice. The fact that his search for a fair free-agent deal has become bogged
down in a battle between the NHL and the players association is unfortunate,
but should not be blamed on Kovalchuk.
Here's hoping Kovalchuk and the Devils get what they want Friday afternoon,
because this is one saga that has gone on way too long.
<< Rangers' Lee has treatment for sore back
Kansas City, MO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Texas Rangers starter Cliff Lee underwent
treatment for a sore back on Wednesday.
Lee had complained of lower back soreness after Tuesday's 10-9 loss to the
Royals, and was sent back to Arlington
<< Royals' Kendall set for shoulder surgery
Kansas City, MO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Kansas City Royals catcher Jason Kendall is
scheduled to have season-ending surgery on his right shoulder Friday.
Kendall has extensive tearing in his rotator cuff, Royals manager Ned Yost
disclosed on
<< Cardinals lock up DT Dockett
Tempe, AZ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Arizona Cardinals have signed defensive
tackle Darnell Dockett to a four-year contract extension.
A two-time Pro Bowler, Dockett's current deal was set to expire after the 2011
season. He is now signed
<< Oswalt solid as Phils down Dodgers
Los Angeles, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Roy Oswalt lost a no-hitter with two outs
in the sixth but still contributed 6 1/3 stellar innings to a combined three-
hitter in a 5-1 Phillies win over the Dodgers to finish out a three-game set.
Oswal
<< Iowa offensive lineman Hundertmark to leave Hawkeyes
Iowa City, IA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Iowa junior offensive lineman Cody
Hundertmark has left the football program to concentrate on academics.
The announcement was made by Hawkeyes head coach Kirk Ferentz on Wednesday.
The 6-foot-4,
Penn State names true freshman Bolden starting quarterback >>
University Park, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Penn State head coach Joe Paterno named
true freshman Robert Bolden the starting quarterback for Saturday's season
opener versus Youngstown State.
The news came as a surprise considering Paterno
Big Ten announces realignment >>
Park Ridge, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Big Ten unveiled its plan for divisional
realignment Wednesday and the controversial split of longtime rivals Michigan
and Ohio State is in place.
There will be two divisions of six teams each startin
Lowe to miss start Friday versus Florida >>
Atlanta, GA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Braves starting hurler Derek Lowe will miss his
scheduled start on Friday versus Florida with pain in his right elbow.
The issue in Lowe's elbow on his throwing arm has caused enough concern to
shut him do
Jimbo Fisher anxious as coaching debut draws near >>
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -Jimbo Fisher's last play on a football field was for Samford. His first play as a college coach will be against the same small Alabama school.After more than two decades as an assistant coach at a handful of southeastern scho
Seattle RHP Shawn Kelley gets good surgery news >>
SEATTLE (AP) -Mariners right-handed reliever Shawn Kelley received good news during exploratory elbow surgery and does not need to undergo a full Tommy John ligament replacement operation.Seattle interim manager Daren Brown says Tuesday that Kelley'
MySportsbook.com Favors Fighting Irish to win College Football betting odds
According to odds makers at MySportsbook.com, on January 8, the Fighting Irish faithful may be toasting their 14th national title in Arizona – Notre Dame’s first national championship in close to 20 years.
Although MySportsbook.com has listed Notre Dame as the 5-1 favorite to win thecollege football College Football betting, fans in Columbus do not need to cancel their tickets to Glendale just yet. The Ohio State Buckeyes, listed right behind the Irish at 7-1, are also heavy favorites to win college football’s most coveted prize, while West Virginia, USC and the 2007 National Champion Texas Longhorns - all listed at 8-1 – are strong contenders as well.
MySportsbook.com has also posted gambling odds on the conference championships for the ACC, Big 12 and SEC. In the ACC – it could be anyone’s title, particularly for the two schools from the Sunshine State. Florida State and Miami, both listed at 2-1, are favored to win the ACC Championship Game odds, with the ‘Noles hoping to finish in the nation’s top 10 for the first time in five years, and the ‘Canes looking to avenge their 10-7 loss against FSU in last year’s ACC Championship betting.
Moving west to the Big 12, MySportsbook.com has betting lines listing Texas as 7-5 favorites to repeat as conference champions, even though the Longhorns lost their national championship-winning quarterback Vince Young to the NFL. In the south, the Auburn Tigers – led by Heisman-hopeful senior running back Kenny Irons – have been given the best odds to win the SEC Championship odds at 5-2.
To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your Sportsbook accepts Visa needs.
ODDS TO WIN THE BCS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Notre Dame
Ohio State
West Virginia
Texas
USC
Florida
California
Auburn
Oklahoma
Iowa
Louisville
Florida State
Michigan
Miami (FL)
LSU
Penn State
Virginia Tech
Nebraska
Tennessee
Georgia
Arizona State
Oregon
Clemson
Texas A&M
Texas Tech
Alabama
Arkansas
Boston College
Michigan State
Maryland
South Carolina
Colorado
Purdue
Georgia Tech
TCU
UCLA
Arizona
Pittsburgh
Iowa State
Wisconsin
North Carolina State
Virginia
North Carolina
Fresno State
Hawaii
Northwestern
BYU
Oregon State
UNLV
Field (Any Other Team) |
5-1
7-1
8-1
8-1
8-1
12-1
15-1
15-1
18-1
20-1
20-1
20-1
20-1
20-1
25-1
40-1
40-1
50-1
60-1
60-1
60-1
70-1
70-1
100-1
100-1
100-1
100-1
100-1
150-1
200-1
200-1
200-1
200-1
200-1
250-1
250-1
300-1
300-1
300-1
300-1
300-1
300-1
400-1
500-1
500-1
500-1
500-1
1000-1
1000-1
40-1 |
ODDS TO WIN ACC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
Miami (FL)
Florida State
Virginia Tech
Clemson
Georgia Tech
Boston College
Maryland
Virginia
North Carolina State
North Carolina
Wake Forest
Duke |
2-1
2-1
3-1
7-1
15-1
15-1
15-1
30-1
30-1
30-1
50-1
500-1 |
ODDS TO WIN BIG 12 CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
Texas
Oklahoma
Nebraska
Texas Tech
Colorado
Iowa State
Texas A&M
Kansas State
Missouri
Kansas
Baylor
Oklahoma State |
7-5
9-5
9-2
12-1
14-1
15-1
15-1
30-1
30-1
35-1
100-1
100-1 |
ODDS TO WIN SEC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
Auburn
Florida
LSU
Georgia
Tennessee
Arkansas
Alabama
Mississippi
South Carolina
Mississippi State
Kentucky
Vanderbilt |
5-2
11-4
4-1
6-1
7-1
7-1
9-1
20-1
28-1
75-1
100-1
300-1 |
For complete NCAA football odds please visit Mysportsbook.com.
Mayweather picked to beat De La Hoya
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA -- Golden Boy Oscar De La Hoya and his rival Floyd Mayweather Jr. arrived at the MGM Grand here Wednesday amid the pomp and pandemonium befitting two of the biggest stars in the sport who are about to duke it out for the WBC super welterweight crown this Saturday (Sunday in Manila).
As of Wednesday, MySportsbook.com closed its book with Mayweather a favorite to defeat De La Hoya at -170 (a $100 bet wins $70), while De La Hoya is a +140 underdog (a $100 bet wins $140).
Mayweather arrived at about 11:30 a.m. on a big truck with his face and a big "World's Best Pound-for-Pound" sign scribbled across the vehicle. He was accompanied by his entourage made up of rappers and his training team.
A crowd of close to 3,000 eager fans packed the MGM Grand lobby, with their cameras in tow, all trying to vie for position to get a good angle at Mayweather, who is acknowledged as the world's best fighter pound-for-pound.
Eric Gomez, Golden Boy Promotions vice-president, described the fan turnout as "amazing" and swore he had never seen anything quite like this event.
"The crowd was fantastic. Everybody was just too eager to see the two fighters," said ALA manager Michael Aldeguer, who was among those who waited at the lobby together with his ward Rey "Boom Boom" Bautista and AJ Banal.
De La Hoya made his own grand entrance at the hotel lobby at around 12:30 p.m. accompanied by GBP chief executive officer Richard Schaefer and trainer Freddie Roach.
The same group of fans who trooped to see Mayweather also lingered around to get a close look at De La Hoya, who has been secretly working out at a Las Vegas gym for days after arriving from his main training camp in Puerto Rico.
The golden boy then took part in a closed-door afternoon workout with Bautista and Banal. The two, along with Aldeguer and wife Christine, as well as an HBO crew were the only ones allowed inside the gym.
De La Hoya and Mayweather take part in today's final press conference before the official weigh-in this Friday.
Ring Magazine, the acknowledged bible of boxing, reported in its June 2007 issue that 12 out of 20 boxing experts it interviewed have favored Mayweather to defeat De la Hoya, with only 8 favoring the latter.
But Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao said in a recent interview with The Freeman's Emmanuel Villaruel that De La Hoya will win by unanimous decision over Mayweather.
To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your bet on boxing needs.
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