This year';s projected point total for the Carolina Hurricanes posted by
sportsbooks for over/under wagering shows that oddsmakers are not moved by the
team';s offseason moves. The team has undergone a radical makeover from top to
bottom. But the powers that be who set the over/under totals for each NHL team
apparently are not impressed, setting a number that is way lower than last
preseason';s forecast.

This is not a primer on betting on hockey or anything else, but an illustration
 of what a segment of professionals that are supposedly "in the know" has
projected for the Hurricanes'; upcoming season.

Every year at about this time the oddsmakers in Las Vegas post their predicted
point totals for each NHL team for the upcoming season. Those who gamble can
wager on whether they think a team will accumulate enough points to go over
that point total, or finish with fewer points than predicted at season';s end.
Comparing the preseason totals from the previous year can give insight as to
what the oddsmaking experts are thinking about how teams will finish.NHL
Over/Under Totals 2017-18

On Sept. 25, 2017, the Bovada Sportsbook published their point totals for NHL
teams for last season. It is conceivable that one might use this also as an
insight into who the oddsmakers think will win the Stanley Cup. The logic being
 that the higher the projected point total the likelihood that playing in the
playoffs and possibly in the Stanley Cup Finals is greater.

A fun fact is that the Pittsburgh Penguins were the favored team to win the
Stanley Cup last season, and were projected to have the second highest point
total at 104.5. Only the Anaheim Ducks were thought to do better, projected at
106.5. The Washington Capitals, of course, went on to win the Stanley Cup
Finals.Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) hoists the Stanley Cup
after defeating the Vegas Golden Knights in game five of the 2018 Stanley Cup
Final at T-Mobile Arena. (Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports)

The posted number for the over/under for the Hurricanes prior to last season at
 Bovada was 92.5 points. On Sept. 5 of last year, the Westgate sportsbook had
the Hurricanes projected point total at 93.5. Essentially, both of these
sportsbooks had the Hurricanes in the same neighborhood regarding how they felt
 the team would perform.

The previous season the 'Canes had notched 87 points by seasons-end. Those
whose job it is to set numbers that will attract wagers and still make a profit
 for the sportsbook felt that the team was five-six points better than they
were the previous season.  How did they do with their forecast? The Hurricanes
 ended the 2017-18 season with 83 points. Those who wagered that the team would
 put up more than the posted totals lost badly. Those who bet the under won by
a comfortable margin.

How could the smart guys who get paid to post these numbers for a living be so
dreadfully off in their assessment of the Hurricanes'; likely performance last
season? It';s simple: Nobody knew that goaltender Scott Darling was going to
have such a bad year. When Ron Francis, the general manager at that time,
signed him to be the starter, he, Darling and most everyone else who had looked
 at his play with the Chicago Blackhawks as a backup, believed he could get the
 job done.What Does Vegas Think About the Hurricanes?

On August 24, The Athletic featured an article written by Dom
Luszczyszyn entitled, "2018-19 NHL Best Bets: Which teams to put your money
on." It was a look at the point totals posted by the Bovada Sportsbook for the
upcoming season. Low and behold the Hurricanes are projected by the oddsmakers
there to put up 84.5 points.TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 11: Calgary Flames defenseman
Dougie Hamilton (Photo by Mark LoMoglio/Icon Sportswire)

About the Bovada 84.5 number, Luszczyszyn wrote, "Dougie Hamilton is a big-time
 addition, as is Andrei Svechnikov, the Canes' second-overall draft pick from
this summer's draft. This team still has goaltending issues, but they're better
 than the team that finished with 83 points last season. Maybe this year
they're finally competitive, maybe it isn't, but 84.5 is still likely too low."

The Westgate has the same number, 84.5. Another group of oddsmakers seemingly
not feeling the love for all of the changes made in the offseason. For most
folks, bringing in Dougie Hamilton was a huge positive for the Hurricanes.
Along with getting forward Micheal Ferland and the rights to defenseman Adam
Fox, while sending Elias Lindholm and Noah Hanifin to the Calgary Flames, this
trade was seen as good for the 'Canes.

As Luszczyszyn mentioned, getting the second overall draft pick in Svechnikov
 was also a great move by the Hurricanes. While trading Jeff Skinner is still
debated as to its merits for the team, most see it as good in the way of a
culture change. Up and down the roster it can be argued that the Hurricanes had
 a fantastic offseason. Signing defenseman Calvin De Haan from the New York
Islanders was like icing on the offseason cake.

Not to mention they have a new general manager and head coach. They even have a
 new owner entering his first full season as such with the team.Carolina
Hurricanes goaltender Scott Darling makes a save during warmup against the
Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Place. (Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports)

The bottom line is that the Hurricanes'; goaltending is still a gigantic
question mark. Darling is putting in the work that he did not put in last
season, and Petr Mrázek was brought in to firm up the position. But, his
career has been marked by inconsistency and the pros who set the numbers know
that in-goal is where the Hurricanes will have to prove themselves in the
upcoming season.

The conclusion can be drawn that the pros just are not moved by the moves the
Hurricanes made in the offseason. They are obviously not seeing the Hurricanes
as a playoff team, and the fans won';t appreciate that forecast one bit. If
there were any need for motivation, this year';s Hurricanes might want to post
that 84.5 in the locker room and use it as a chip on their shoulder to show the
 "pros" that they are a team with which to be reckoned. 

The post Hurricanes Moves Don';t Move Oddsmakers appeared first on The Hockey
Writers.

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