Top sports handicapper doesn't like Carolina Hurricanes' chances

Doc Moseman, a pioneer of the sports handicapping industry, says the Carolina Hurricanes will need a lot of things to go right just to approach the 80 points they got last year in a disappointing, non-playoff season.

"It always seems to be all or nothing with these Carolina Hurricanes," Moseman says. "In their 13-year existence they have missed the playoffs seven times but have also reached the Stanley Cup Finals twice and the Eastern Conference Finals three times. Unfortunately this year has more the look of a 'nothing' year than an 'all' year."

The Hurricanes have a lot of youth and a lot of questions, he says. "This is a full-fledged rebuilding process," Moseman says.

A lot of veterans are gone as the Hurricanes have a youth movement which includes 18-year-old Jeff Skinner. "The only way fans may recognize the Hurricanes is by their colors and veteran holdovers, captain Eric Staal and goalie Cam Ward," Moseman says.

Of course you can throw in veterans Erik Cole, Jussi Jokinen and Chad LaRose in there too but the point is well taken.

Two years after compiling an impressive 97 points and a year after finishing with 80 points, Carolina’s over/under for points is 86.5. They are long shots to win the Southeast Division (+2000), Eastern Conference (+4000), and Stanley Cup (+6000). NHL odds are courtesy of BetUS.