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.
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
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disclosed on
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season. He is now signed
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hitter in a 5-1 Phillies win over the Dodgers to finish out a three-game set.
Oswal
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Hundertmark has left the football program to concentrate on academics.
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American Idol Betting Odds: Season 6
The online gambling websites are in the process of deciphering each American Idol contestant and his or her chances of winning Season 6 to come up with the early American Idol betting lines.
Tim Dalton of MySportsbook.com has been locked away in a soundproof room coming up with all the latest tallies, we are told. "American Idol has become one of the most significant betting events of the year," claims Jack Black of MySportsbook.com. "Last year, millions were bet during the season across the globe, not just in America.It's tough early on since we really do not have a glimpse as to how well each of these individuals will perform solo on a week-to-week basis. It's like Week 1 of the NFL. Pre-season means nada!
We do know the 24 finalists however.
Sanjaya Malakar is the young man whose sister failed to make it into the Top 24. He's very low key but - unless he totally flubs - will probably win over the young girlie vote for a few weeks anyway. He's too young to go all the way, according to Payton O'Brien.
Brandon Rogers - Who?
Phil Stacy is the military guy who missed his daughter's birth because of the Memphis audition. He should go a good distance.
Chris Sligh - He's got the humor and in many ways he's the Anti-American Idol much like last year's winner Taylor Hicks was. And this is why he'll probably get pretty far in this competition. He's chubby, white with a big curly afro....but more importantly, a great voice! People love "real", not "real cute" to go all the way.
"Blake Lewis should go far because of his uniqueness and looks. He's the boy next store with a twist - he beat boxes. But on top of this, he's a great singer, and I adore him," Payton O'Brien relayed.
A talented beat-boxer Blake Lewis was a hit during the group sing in Hollywood but Simon explained that this is a singing contest just before he told him he was “in.”
Paul Kim has caught our own roving reporter, Jenny Woo's eyes.
"I love the fact that there is a Korean American on the show and he is bound to get more Asians tuning into the show," Woo said from her Miami Beach estate. "There has never been a major presence of Asian-Americans on American Idol in the past. He's a hottie with a nice voice so that should help to take him far. Expect heavy betting action from the Asian community."
Sundance Head - He's not perfect, but he's got the personality that will take him through a few weeks, plus he's got the lineage (son of Roy Head - whose 1965 single, "Treat Her Right," hit No. 5 in the charts)
And the others:
Rudy Cardinas
AJ Tabaldo - the 5th time is the charm
Nicolas Pedro
Chris Richardson
Jared Cotter
The girls
"Melinda Doolittle has one of the best voices," says MySportsbook.com Reporter and an acclaimed dancer in her own right, Destiney Lewis. "It is great to see a back up singer step out like she has. The girl needs to gain more confidence but that can also be a positive. I think she will go far."
Alena Alexander - Those tears (she never seems to stop bawling) should get her far.
"Single mom Lakisha Jones I suspect will be a pretty big favorite entering Week 1 of the competition," says Destiny Williams. Jones is an excellent singer and down to earth. "She'll have a wide appeal," echoed O'Brien.
Nicole Trellis - Seems to exert confidence.
Amy Krebs - a powerful singer.
Antonella Barba
Gina Glocksen
Hailey Scanardo
Jordan Sparks
Stephanie Edwards
Leslie Hunt
Sabrina Sloan
MySportsbook.com is offering a 20% signup bonus with an initial deposit (i.e. open your American Idol betting account with $300, receive another $60 in which to bet with).
Last two contestants will be?
1 Male/1 Female +100 (a $10 bet pays $10 plus your initial $10)
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Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl Odds
Will he or won't he? Now that the Dallas Cowboys have a new head coach in Wade Phillips, the big question will be: Does Terrell Owens stay with the team.
Jerry Jones continues to suggest that Terrell Owens will remain with the team.
"I've said that he's back, he's here, he's under contract," Jones said. "In the interviews I've just been through (to hire a new coach), it was very clear to me how highly he's thought of and how much of an impact he had on our offensive success."
Just to be sure though, Terrell Owens cleared out his locker and removed his name plate.
Terrell Owens was among the Cowboys most productive players this past season, catching 85 passes for 1,180 yards and a league-best 13 touchdowns.
But T.O. is due a $3 million roster bonus in June, then a $5 million salary this season. Cutting him before then would save a lot of money and headaches.
Aside from the questions surrounding Terrell Owens, the oddsmakers at MySportsbook.com have concerns over starting quarterback Tony Romo's state of mind and whether he will remain a starting quarterback. It is also not known how players will adjust to new head coach, Wade Phillips.
Here are the football odds as seen at MySportsbook.com and subject to change after February 10, 2007 if not locked in prior to that date.
Arizona Cardinals 60-1
Atlanta Falcons 50-1
Baltimore Ravens 15-1
Buffalo Bills 50-1
Carolina Panthers 18-1
Chicago Bears 10-1
Cincinnati Bengals 15-1
Cleveland Browns 100-1
Dallas Cowboys 15-1
Denver Broncos 15-1
Detroit Lions 100-1
Green Bay Packers 50-1
Houston Texans 100-1
Indianapolis Colts 6-1
Jacksonville Jaguars 30-1
Kansas City Chiefs 30-1
Miami Dolphins 40-1
Minnesota Vikings 75-1
New England Patriots 10-1
New Orleans Saints 18-1
New York Giants 20-1
New York Jets 30-1
Oakland Raiders 100-1
Philadelphia Eagles 18-1
Pittsburgh Steelers 10-1
Saint Louis Rams 60-1
San Diego Chargers 6-1
San Francisco 49ers 75-1
Seattle Seahawks 20-1
Tampa Bay Buccanneers 75-1
Tennessee Titans 40-1
Washington Redskins 50-1
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