NHL's hybrid icing rule could have legs

Hockey Betting Lines

08/20/2010 - Toronto, Canada (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The 2010 NHL Research, Development and Orientation Camp took place on August 18-19 at Toronto's MasterCard Centre, drawing many of hockey's most critical thinkers.

Grouped together at the Toronto Maple Leafs practice facility, they watched demonstrations and tests of 21 potential new rules aimed at improving the game. While some of the rules were considered too radical, there was one that was greeted with almost unanimous approval; the hybrid icing rule.

Under the hybrid icing rule, which is already being used in the United States Hockey League, the linesman determines whether a play will be called icing based on which player reaches the faceoff dot first. If he believes the attacking player will be the first to the puck, icing is waved off. If he believes the defending player will eventually win the race to the puck, the whistle is blown and the play stops dead at the faceoff dot, instead of inches from the end boards.

"The race for a loose puck is an exciting play for our fans and we have to keep that play in, but we have to figure out a way to eliminate the injuries to the defensemen," Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke told NHL.com. "This is something I've put on the GMs agenda now for five years, and the injuries these defensemen get on those plays are often catastrophic. I think we have to change that.

"I like the hybrid rule. They have used it in the USHL for a couple of years with success. I've studied some video of that, and I think that will work."

The NHL's touch icing rule has been a hot button topic for years because of its potentially dangerous nature, just ask Edmonton Oilers defenseman Kurtis Foster. Foster made headlines after breaking his femur in 2008 trying to beat out an icing call, an injury that sidelined him for more than a year.

"Anything we can do with icing to protect our players we should do," said Ottawa Senators GM Bryan Murray. "If the linesman can make the call earlier, then obviously it will benefit the good players in our league."

The catastrophic nature of Foster's injury didn't go unnoticed by NHL officials as a new rule was implemented in 2009 to reduce nasty collisions. The rule states there should be no unnecessary or dangerous contact between opposing players who together are pursuing the puck on an icing. If they hit each other it must be for the sole purpose of playing the puck and not eliminating the opponent from playing the puck.

Definitely a step in the right direction, but is it enough? San Jose Sharks forward Jamie McGinn seems to think so.

"I don't really like the new hybrid rule, I think the league has done a good job of protecting players with the new penalty rule on making a check on an icing. I don't think they need to change anything if they keep that rule intact," said McGinn, via text message.

Surely there will be players on both sides of the fence, some supporting a push for hybrid icing and others toeing the line in favor of the status quo. But even with the NHL's existing rule in place, the accidental injuries will continue to happen.

What about the accidental trip or off-balance head-first fall into the boards? With the size and strength of players these days and the speed they can generate on the ice, looking at hybrid icing as a further precaution may be in the best interest of the league and its players.

In the end, if it can be proven that the new rule maintains the excitement of the current touch icing rule while eliminating the dangers, there is no reason why it shouldn't make its way into the game as soon as possible.

Wwwhkcyber Hockey Betting News

<< FCS Season Preview: CAA Football
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - CAA Football, the premier conference in the Football Championship Subdivision, has had a different school reach the national championship game in each of the last four seasons, and five schools (including Del

<< Angels pay a visit to Twins' Target Field
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Both the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and Minnesota Twins made the playoffs last season, but only one of those teams seems to be headed for a return trip. The Angels will attempt to boost their sagging postseason hopes

<< Blackpool excited for Arsenal test
London, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Premiership newcomers Blackpool made quite a first impression on the opening weekend of the season as they recorded a 4-0 win over Wigan. Now, manager Ian Holloway takes his Tangerines to the Emirates Stad

<< White Sox take on Royals at Kauffman Stadium
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - After falling into second place in the American League Central standings with a rough stretch over the past few weeks, the Chicago White Sox hope a series of games against the non-contending Kansas City Royals will en

<< Rays, A's resume set at the Coliseum
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Jeremy Hellickson tries to win his fourth game in as many starts this evening when the Tampa Bay Rays continue their four-game series with the Oakland Athletics at the Coliseum. Regardless of the outcome tonight, tho

Lagoutte-Clement wins Ladies Scottish Open >>
East Lothian, Scotland (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Virgine Lagoutte-Clement posted a one-under-par 71 on Friday to come from behind and win the Ladies Scottish Open. She won the championship by a stroke at one-over 217 at Archerfield Links.

MISL adds second expansion team for 2010-11 >>
Orlando, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Major Indoor Soccer League announced this week an expansion team based on Omaha, Neb. will join the league for the 2010-11 season. The soon-to-be-named Omaha team joins the Missouri Comets as new te

New York aims to break offensive slump at Toronto >>
Toronto, ON (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Red Bull New York travels to take on Toronto FC at BMO Field as the two Major League Soccer clubs meet for the second time in 10 days on Saturday afternoon. Toronto has been off in league play since the previo

Galaxy, 'Quakes set to renew California rivalry >>
Santa Clara, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Los Angeles Galaxy and San Jose Earthquakes renew their California rivalry when the two Major League Soccer clubs meet at Buck Shaw Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The Galaxy (13-3-4) are ri

Blazers, Fernandez ready for divorce >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Rudy Fernandez has more than enough ability to play a major role on a top-tier NBA team. I'm just not sure he wants to. The disgruntled Trail Blazers swingman has been griping about his playing time for

Football Betting: Defensive Rookie of the Year Awards

Oddsmakers have released the odds for the 2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award and Seattle Seahawks linebacker Aaron Curry has been made the opening favorite.

Bet on NFL Football

Seattle took Curry with the fourth overall pick in April's NFL draft and plan on inserting him into its starting lineup right away. The Hawks traded linebacker Julian Peterson in the offseason, so Curry is expected to have a significant role in Seattle's defense next year and that's one of the primary reasons he is the favorite to win the NFL ROY Award.

Oddsmakers from online sportsbook MySportsbook.com have made Curry a 5/1 favorite to win this year's NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award. Given that he was the best defensive prospect in this year's draft and how he'll have plenty of opportunities to make plays in '09, Curry offers a ton of value at 5/1.

Another thing working for Curry is the position he plays. A linebacker has won the defensive ROY award six straight times and eight of the last nine years. Jerod Mayo, Patrick Willis, DeMeco Ryans, Shawne Merriman, Jonathan Vilma, Terrell Suggs, Kendrell Bell and Brian Urlacher were the most recent linebackers to take home the award.

Following Curry at 5/1 are Tyson Jackson (Chiefs) at 7/1, James Laurinaitas (Rams) at 8/1, Brian Orakpo (Redskins) at 10/1, Rey Maualuga (Bengals) at 10/1 and Jerry Peria (Falcons) at 10/1.

All the players mentioned above are expected to start for their respective teams, but Jackson and Peria are going to have a tough time being recognized on a national level given they're both defensive linemen. D-linemen rarely put up the numbers that it takes to win an individual award like the ROY.

A couple of players with some value are Clay Matthews (Packers) at 12/1 and Larry English (Chargers) at 15/1. Matthews is expected to start at outside linebacker in Green Bay's new 3-4 defense and could rack up a ton of tackles. English, who was an impressive player at Northern Illinois, is expected to be a situational pass rusher for the Chargers and could rack up a ton of sacks.

For complete odds on the 2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award, see below. And for complete odds for the 2009 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award, click the link provided.

2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award

Robert Ayers (DEN) 12/1

Ron Brace (NE) 25/1

Everette Brown (CAR) 16/1

Darius Butler (NE) 40/1

Patrick Chung (NE) 30/1

Aaron Curry (SEA) 5/1

Brian Cushing (HOU) 12/1

Vontae Davis (MIA) 30/1

Louis Delmas (DET) 30/1

Larry English (SD) 15/1

Evander Hood (PIT) 25/1

Tyson Jackson (KC) 7/1

Malcolm Jenkins (NO) 25/1

Paul Kruger (BAL) 50/1

James Laurinaitas (STL) 8/1

Sen'Derrick Marks (TEN) 20/1

Clay Matthews (GB) 12/1

Aaron Maybin (BUF) 15/1

Rey Maualuga (CIN) 10/1

Roy Miller (TB) 20/1

Michael Mitchell (OAK) 45/1

Fili Moala (IND) 30/1

Brian Orakpo (WAS) 10/1

Jerry Peria (ATL) 10/1

B J Raji (GB) 7/1

Clint Sintim (NYG) 35/1

Alphonso Smith (DEN) 40/1

David Verkune (CLE) 20/1

Jason Williams (DAL) 30/1

Field (Any Other Player) 6/1

NFL football gambling

To visit this internet sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your football betting needs.

Mens NCAA Basketball Tournament odds  
As of February 9, MySportsbook.com has released its coveted 2007 Mens NCAA Basketball Tournament betting odds. “March Madness betting ” only a month away, the top ranked Florida Gators are favorite at 7-2 to win it all. The defending champs have not disappointed at all this season and currently have a 22-2 record and are undefeated (9-0) in SEC play. The Gators’ thrive off of their extremely balanced, experienced and versatile attack. All five starters started in last seasons National Championship game. What is most impressive with this group is their balance; the five starters all average between 10.7 and 13.6 PPG. The Gators have been on an absolute roll having won 15 straight by an average of 16.4 PPG.

Right behind the Gators are the 5th ranked UNC Tar Heels at 9-2. The Heels (21-3, 7-2) are absolutely loaded with top notch talent and are as deep as any team in the country. A concern for the Tar Heels might be inexperience. Of their top four scorers/ minute earners, three are freshmen and the other is a sophomore. The rest of the regular season, the Tar Heels play only one team that is currently ranked (Duke). Their remaining opponents do combine for an impressive 107-58 record though.

Other teams that the MySportsbook.com members seem to believe will win it all include the west coasts’ top team #2 UCLA (6-1), #3 OSU behind man-child Greg Oden (8-1), and #4 Wisconsin (10-1) behind their defense which has given up 70+ points only three times all season.

Below is a list of some of the favorites to win the 2007 Men’s NCAA Basketball Championship lines. For the full list of teams and March Madness odds be sure to log onto MySportsbook.com. If you want to use your credit card to bet on college hoops or any other event, MySportsbook.com has the highest credit card acceptance rate in the industry.

Arizona 20-1

Butler 20-1

Duke 30-1

Florida 7-2

Georgetown 30-1

Indiana 35-1

Kansas 15-1

Marquette 25-1

Maryland 40-1

Memphis 50-1

Nevada 50-1

UNC 9-2

OSU 8-1

Oregon 30-1

Pittsburgh 15-1

Texas 30-1

Texas A&M 18-1

UCLA 6-1

Wisconsin 10-1

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your Sportsbook betting needs.