Naslund to have number retired by Canucks

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07/08/2010 - Vancouver, BC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Former Vancouver Canucks captain Markus Naslund will have his number 19 raised to the rafters by the club on December 11.

The announcement came late Wednesday that Naslund, who played in Vancouver from 1996 until the end of the 2007-08 season, will become just the third player in franchise history to be honored.

Only Stan Smyl (1978-91) and Trevor Linden (1988-98; 2001-08) have had their jerseys lifted to the rafters previously.

"It's going to be special and neat to have a chance to come back to the arena and I'm sure there will be a lot of memories going through my head. I'll be nervous, too, but I'm really looking forward to it," Naslund admitted. "It's definitely a great honor and I'm very humbled and thankful to [general manager] Mike Gillis and the Aquilini family and the whole organization."

Naslund came to the Canucks in what was then a minor deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for little-used player Alek Stojanov in March, 1996.

He stayed until signing a free-agent deal with the New York Rangers in July, 2008 and compiled a franchise-best 346 goals with 756 points in 884 games in Vancouver, while serving as team captain for his final eight seasons as a Canuck.

The 36-year-old native of Ornskoldsvik, Sweden enjoyed his finest NHL season in 2002-03, breaking out for 48 goals and 104 points in 82 games. He was runner-up in the voting for the Hart Trophy as league MVP to Peter Forsberg of Colorado -- who grew up in the same town as Naslund.

Naslund's tenure in Vancouver built on previous successes by Swedish players like center Patrik Sundstrom and winger Thomas Gradin, and paved the way for the success of players such as defensemen Sami Salo and Mattias Ohlund, as well as the Sedin twins, Daniel and Henrik.

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Academy Award Betting Odds for Best Picture Offer Great Value

If there is any category that is not an obvious win for any one nominee in this year's Academy Awards, it would be for Best Picture.  Sure the Departed is a 5/7 favorite, but that's hardly anything when we look at Helen Mirren and her "out-of-reach" 1 to 40 odds (which means you would win a whopping $1 for every $40 bet).

For value, take a look at MySportsbook.com Oscars betting odds on my personal favorite, The Queen - a remarkable 12 to 1 long shot.  The film hasn't won any pre-awards for Best Picture (compared to The Departed and Little Miss Sunshine), but there is a tremendous following and it is a strong enough film to warrant a surprise win.

TV Guide advises Oscar watchers should be cautioned not to discount the  drama "Babel" with its strong social themes about overcoming communication gaps among people of different cultures.

"While 'Babel' lost several guild awards to 'Sunshine' and 'Departed,'  it still enjoys loyal support, and historically Oscar voters favor dramas with social messages over comedies like 'Sunshine' and violent crime movies like 'Departed'."

"It hasn't done well in the guilds, which means there isn't much industry support," said Tom O'Neil of awards site TheEnvelope.com, "But several critics are expecting it to win, and that gets my attention." Babel had 7 to 2 odds at press time.

Who is to say independently produced Little Miss Sunshine won't be this year's Crash.  Last year, Crash won for Best Motion Picture, shocking those who bet on gay cowboy flick, Brokeback Mountain, as the favorite to win. 

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