Burke busy trying to retool Leafs' fate

Hockey Betting Lines

07/06/2010 - Toronto, Canada (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - After coming off one of their more distressing seasons in recent memory, the Toronto Maple Leafs headed into the summer with more holes to patch than a gulf oil pipeline.

But it didn't take long for Leafs general manager Brian Burke to start phase two of his self-described retooling plan.

On the eve of the July 1 free agency extravaganza, Burke pulled out another trademark multi-player deal that saw the Leafs acquire Chicago Blackhawks winger Kris Versteeg and minor leaguer Bill Sweatt in exchange for prospects Viktor Stalberg, Chris DiDomenico and Philippe Paradis.

While Versteeg doesn't exactly fit Burkes vision of truculence, belligerence or any other colorful adjective he spews out, he does bring some much-needed skill to a lineup that finished 25th in the NHL in scoring.

Versteeg, a 2009 Calder Trophy nominee, followed up a 53-point rookie campaign with a solid 20-goal, 44-point sophomore season while playing a depth role on a stacked Blackhawks' squad.

And perhaps of greater significance, Versteeg represents yet another young, proven player who will pay immediate dividends as opposed to optimistically waiting for a prospect to mature into a top-six scoring threat.

The following day, Burke stuck to his guns in saying that July 1 will be his draft ... after sitting on the sidelines for the opening round of the actual draft two weeks ago ... and went and acquired versatile winger Colby Armstrong.

Armstrong comes equipped with relentless grittiness, good character and leadership skills painted over the ability to light the lamp on the odd occasion. He scored 15 goals for the Atlanta Thrashers last season.

As per usual for the inflationary nature of free agency, it can be argued the Leafs overpaid for a perennial third-line grinder, having footed a three-year $9 million bill to obtain his services.

Regardless of Armstrongs perceived value, he is the exact type of player Burke clamors for, and like Versteeg, he will aid in the fast tracking of a time-sensitive rebuild.

What is the next step for the brash boss of the blue and white? Cue Tomas Kaberle, the sole leftover from an era of broken hearts and early summer vacations.

The 32-year old Czech blueliner is heading into the final year of his contract that will pay him $4.25 million, a relative bargain considering his production in comparison to other top-tier defenseman.

With prize free agent defenders such as Dan Hamhuis, Paul Martin, Sergei Gonchar and Anton Volchenkov all off the market, teams looking for a veteran puck-moving blueliner might be tempted to ante up in order to get a deal done.

Patience has been the key to Kaberle's situation, and now that the market is depleted of bona fide top-end talent, Kaberles value has perhaps reached its peak.

What the return will be is anybodys guess. But as we have seen with Burke, his ability to turn tired assets into important pieces is uncanny.

Whether you agree or disagree with Burkes blueprint, it is hard to neglect the tectonic shift that has occurred under his watch.

And based on this, one would have to expect that the acquisition of Versteeg and Armstrong is a start, but not the end to the roster shuffle set to unfurl this summer.

With training camp still two months away, there is still plenty of time for more tinkering ... or a lot of tinkering if playoffs are on the menu for 2011.

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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)

2 Males +170 (a $10 bet pays $17 plus your initial $17)

2 Females +130 (a $10 bet pays $13 plus your initial $10)

MySportsbook.com is an online sportsbook accepts Visa Credit Cards and online sportsbook accepts Mastercard Credit Cards for easy American Idol betting lines.