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03/04/2009 - Raleigh, NC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Carolina Hurricanes, Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings worked a three-team deal involving three players Wednesday.
The Hurricanes dealt forward Justin Williams to the Kings for forward Patrick O'Sullivan and a second-round pick in the 2009 draft. Carolina then sent O'Sullivan and its own 2009 second-round draft selection to the Oilers in exchange for forward Erik Cole and a fifth-round pick in 2009.
Cole makes his return to the club which he called home for the first six years of his NHL career. The 30-year-old was dealt to the Oilers in the offseason in a deal which saw defenseman Joni Pitkanen come to the 'Canes.
In 63 games with Edmonton this season, Cole registered 16 goals and 27 points. His best year came in 2005-06, scoring 30 goals with 59 points in just 60 games before his season was cut short with a broken neck. However, Cole returned to participate in the Stanley Cup Finals, a seven-game triumph over Edmonton.
"Erik was an important player for our team for a long time, and will be an integral part of our push for the playoffs," said Carolina general manager Jim Rutherford. "We thank Justin for all he has done for us. It is difficult to part ways because of what he has meant to our organization. The last few years have been tough on him and our team with his injuries and we wish him all the best in Los Angeles."
O'Sullivan, a third-year pro, picked up 14 goals and 37 points in 62 games with Los Angeles.
Williams is currently nursing a broken hand suffered last month. The Ontario native and eight-year veteran has tallied just three times with 10 points in 32 contests this season.
The 27-year-old came to Carolina during the 2003-04 season and was an integral part of the Hurricanes' title run, scoring 31 goals with 76 points in 82 contests. However, Williams was limited to 37 games with nine goals a season ago due to various injuries.
<< Sharks get Moen, Huskins from Ducks
San Jose, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The San Jose Sharks acquired forward Travis
Moen and defenseman Kent Huskins from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for a pair
of prospects and a conditional fourth-round draft pick in 2009.
Moen has four goals
<< Coles heading to Cincy
Culver City, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Cincinnati Bengals and free agent wide
receiver Laveranues Coles have reportedly agreed to a contract.
The NFL Network and ESPN report the deal for the former New York Jet to be
worth $28 million o
<< Almeria signs Esteban to new contract
Almeria, Spain (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Almeria back-up goalkeeper Andres Esteban has
signed a new contract to keep him at the club until the end of next season.
The 33-year-old has not featured in La Liga this season, but is clearly well
thoug
<< Aberdeen's Miller injures hamstring
Aberdeen, Scotland (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Aberdeen striker Lee Miller could be
missing for a couple of weeks after suffering a hamstring injury in the 1-1
draw with St. Mirren.
The 25-year-old Scotland international had to be replaced
Bayern stands firm over Ribery >>
Munich, Germany (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge
remains adamant that France winger Franck Ribery will not be leaving the German
champions in the near future.
The 25-year-old continues to be linked with a sum
French GK Coupet may leave Atletico >>
Madrid, Spain (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - France goalkeeper Gregory Coupet has admitted
that he may try and find a new club next summer, having struggled for first-
team action at Atletico Madrid.
The 36-year-old has made just eight appearanc
Falcons re-sign DE Davis to four-year deal >>
Flowery Branch, GA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Atlanta Falcons agreed to terms
with defensive end Chauncey Davis on a four-year contract.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
"Chauncey will continue to add toughness and consiste
Lewis staying with the Ravens >>
Owings Mills, MD (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Free agent linebacker Ray Lewis will be
returning to Baltimore, as the two-time Defensive Player of the Year has
agreed in principle with the Ravens on a multi-year contract.
The Ravens website
BILLS (+10) at Steelers SPORTSBOOK LINES
It's impossible to gauge how a team will react after something like the Steve Everett situation, and it probably doesn't matter. That being said, the Bills are going to lose several games this year where they keep things close but fall short in the end to superior teams. Ben Roethlisberger and company could have a field day against Buffalo's decimated defense, but I like the Bills to cover.
BENGALS (-7) at Browns SPORTSBOOK LINES
All you can ask out of your NFL team is that it has a plan. You may not always agree with it as a fan, but as long as it appears the organization is going in some sort of direction, you have to go with it. Which brings us to the Cleveland Browns. You flip a coin to determine whether Chuck Frye or Derek Anderson should start the preseason opener. You start Frye in Week 1, but pull him in the first half. And then you deal him to the Seahawks for a sixth-round pick? Hmm... the Bengals could get six turnovers again this week.
COLTS (-7) at Titans SPORTSBOOK LINES
Tennessee signed ex-Colts cornerback Nick Harper in the offseason so that should help slow down Peyton Manning. Just ask Jason David and the Saints. Oh wait... One of these weeks, I'm going to learn to not pick against Tennessee, which has won seven of its last eight games. But it's not happening against Indy.
TEXANS (+6.5) at Panthers SPORTSBOOK LINES
Houston's Mario Williams, the first pick in the '06 draft, has more touchdowns than Reggie Bush after one week. Somehow I don't see that lasting. Meanwhile, Carolina bottled up what was expected to be a pretty high-octane offense in St. Louis in Week 1. Could this be the Panthers' defense everyone expected last year? Maybe. This feels like a 20-16 Carolina win.
RAMS (-3) vs. 49ers SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Absolutely love this game. Everyone's favorite pick for this year's surprise team -- the 49ers -- laid an egg on Monday night (not that anyone was watching with the game ending in the middle of the night for those of us on the East Coast). St. Louis wasn't much better, delivering a lackluster effort against the Panthers that included two Steven Jackson fumbles and panic from his fantasy owners. Jackson rebounds this week, and the Rams get their first win.
PACKERS (+1.5) at Giants SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Do you really trust this guy to win an NFL game if Eli Manning can't go? I say no. I'd feel alot better about this Packers team if it had any semblance of a running game, but I still think Green Bay's defense is good enough to give it a 2-0 start.
JAGUARS (-10) vs. Falcons SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Does it scare me to pick Jacksonville to cover a double-digit spread after it scored just 10 points last week against the Titans? Absolutely. But can I bring myself to pick Atlanta under any circumstances? No. Check out this poll on ajc.com. It asks what Atlanta's most urgent deficiency is: offense, defense, specials teams or all of the above. "All of the above" has 57 percent of the votes. Ouch.
SAINTS (-3) at Buccaneers SPORTSBOOKS LINES
I'm picking way too many road teams this week. Oh well. New Orleans has had some time to reflect on its lackluster showing in the opener, and the Buccanneers just aren't a very good football team. Anyone else surprised Tampa Bay hasn't made a move to sign Byron Leftwich? I thought that's what they do.
VIKINGS (+3) at Lions SPORTS BETTING LINES
Run the ball and stop the run. Minnesota can do both, and that will keep them in a lot of games this season. Even though it was only one week, Adrian Peterson looks like he was a steal at No. 7 in last year's draft. Not only will he produce, but Peterson delivers excitement to what otherwise would be one of the league's most boring teams.
DOLPHINS (+3.5) vs. Cowboys SPORTS BETTING LINES
Lost in the Tony Romo lovefest is just how bad the Cowboys' defense was last week. I know they're banged up, but Dallas' 'D' allowed 438 yards to the Giants' offense, and backup running back Derrick Ward averaged 6.8 yards per carry. Meanwhile, Cam Cameron's decision to split carries between Ronnie Brown and Jesse Chatman sounds about as can't-miss as Larry David's plan to show up to Marty Funkhouser's party a night late. Still, gotta go with Miami to cover at home.
SEAHAWKS (-2.5) at Cardinals SPORTS BETTING LINES
I'm probably missing something, but this game seems too easy. Arizona blew Monday night's game against the 49ers in typical Cardinals fashion, and the Seahawks beat Tampa Bay by two touchdowns. Love Seattle in this one.
BRONCOS (-9.5) vs. Raiders SPORTS BETTING LINES
Special teams was a major story line in Week 1. Take a look at the Broncos. They had to rush on to the field to get a Jason Elam field goal as time expired against the Bills. Denver drove into Buffalo territory on eight of 10 drives but came away with just a pair of field goals and a touchdown. Look for more scoring from the Broncos this week against an Oakland defense that gave up 36 points to Detroit in Week 1.
BEARS (-12) vs. Chiefs SPORTS BETTING LINES
Everyone talks about Rex Grossman when dissecting the Bears' offense, but Chicago's quarterback got no help in last week's loss to the Chargers. Meanwhile, Kansas City confirmed what we all thought while watching Hard Knocks: The Chiefs are going to stink this year. It could be a rough first month for Larry Johnson fantasy owners. Kansas City's RB was limited to 43 yards on 10 carries in Week 1, and the Chiefs face the Bears, Vikings and Chargers the next three weeks, all formidable run defenses.
RAVENS (-10) vs. Jets SPORTS BETTING LINES
A big dose of Willis McGahee and a usual sound defensive effort will give the Ravens their first win. According to Football Outsiders, no team in the NFL rushed only three defenders on pass plays last year more than the Jets. And according to my special Jets correspondent Ben Stauber, New York did the same in Week 1. Whoever starts at quarterback for the Ravens should have all day to throw.
PATRIOTS (-3) vs. Chargers
Friends and I were discussing how Bill Belichick goes about paying his $500,000 fine for cheating. Does he just write one check to the NFL? Do you need some sort of clearance to make such a monstrous financial transaction? I guess I shouldn't complain about the security deposit I have to put down on my new apartment. Anyway, two of the league's best teams square off in what should be a good one Sunday night. The Patriots always respond well just when you think they're in trouble. And their offensive attack was the story in Week 1.
Note: Monday night game will be picked Monday. Lines used are from football betting.
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