Nash gets huge deal from Blue Jackets

Hockey Betting Lines

07/03/2009 - Columbus, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Columbus Blue Jackets forward Rick Nash was reportedly signed to an eight-year, $62.4 million contract extension.

The Columbus Dispatch reports Nash's deal means an annual salary cap hit of $7.8 million for the Blue Jackets. He'll earn $7 million for the upcoming season, the last year of his current contract. Nash will then make $7.5 million in 2010-11, according to the Dispatch, and the deal escalates until he makes $8.2 million in 2017-18.

The 25-year-old Nash, who is captain of the team, had 40 goals and 39 assists over 78 games last season. The first overall pick of the 2002 draft, Nash has spent his entire six-season NHL career playing for Columbus and has a franchise-record 194 goals to go with 161 assists over 441 games.

This past season, Nash helped Columbus to its first-ever postseason berth, although the Blue Jackets were swept by the Detroit Red Wings in the opening round.

Nash won the Maurice Richard Trophy for the most goals in the league with 41 during the 2003-04 season, which happened to be the first of his four All-Star appearances.

Wwwipodlounge Hockey Betting News

<< Lopez makes debut with Phillies
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Philadelphia Phillies called up pitcher Rodrigo Lopez from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to start Friday's game against the New York Mets. Lopez is being used as a spot-starter due to Antonio Bas

<< Diaz remains tied for Jamie Farr lead
Sylvania, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Laura Diaz birdied four of the last six holes Friday to remain tied for the lead after two rounds of the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic. Diaz carded a four-under 67 to complete two rounds at 11-under-pa

<< Bowyer captures pole for Daytona Nationwide race
Daytona Beach, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - After a lengthy rain delay, Clint Bowyer won the pole for Friday's Subway Jalapeno 250 Nationwide Series race at Daytona International Speedway. Bowyer, the 2008 Nationwide champion, lapped the

<< Ramirez apologizes on night of return to Dodgers
San Diego, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder Manny Ramirez spoke to the media Friday, prior to making his scheduled return to the majors following his 50-game suspension. Ramirez is expected to be in the starting

<< Woods shoots 66 to lead AT&T National
Bethesda, MD (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Tiger Woods nourished his momentum with a handful of scrambling par saves, shooting a four-under 66 on Friday to take the second-round lead at the AT&T National. Woods finished two trips around Con

Wizards will try to make move vs. powerful Houston club >>
Kansas City, KA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Kansas City Wizards face a tough task on Saturday when they host the Major League Soccer leading Houston Dynamo at CommunityAmerica Ballpark. The Wizards (5-5-4) are keen on making a move up the Eas

Lopez solid on the mound as Phils handle Mets >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Phillies recalled Rodrigo Lopez from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to start the opener of a three-game series with the rival Mets, and the right-hander responded with a quality outing in a 7-2 Philade

Leaving a trail: Turkoglu breaks off talks with Blazers >>
Portland, OR (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Sharp-shooting forward Hedo Turkoglu appeared headed to the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday afternoon, but by nightfall those talks apparently broke off. The Oregonian newspaper originally reported Tu

Stockton shares Edmonton Open lead with two others >>
Edmonton, AB (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Brady Stockton posted a three-under 69 Friday to remain a co-leader after two rounds of the Edmonton Open. Stockton, who shared the first-round lead with Robert Gates, completed 36 holes at 10-under-par

Braves hold on to beat Nationals, extend win streak to five >>
Washington, DC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Brooks Conrad's first home run of his career was a pinch-hit, three-run shot to help the Atlanta Braves take a 9-8 win over the Washington Nationals in the opener of a three-game set. Chipper Jones, Yunel Es

COLLEGE FOOTBALL BETTING

NCAA Football Betting

Many fans thought it was the best side in the nation by the end of last season. This year, the polls have built on Georgia's momentum and granted it the No. 1 preseason ranking, followed by Ohio State and USC. (The Associated Press has the Buckeyes at No. 2; USA Today took the Trojans.)

"To have people believing we have one of the best teams in the nation going into this thing, it's exciting for us," Bulldogs coach Mark Richt told the AP. "I don't think anything is guaranteed, but we certainly have put ourselves in position where at least the college football world thinks we're pretty good."

Georgia Bulldogs - 9.5 wins

There's no question they're good, but the Bulldogs have one of the toughest 12-game schedules in the nation, mostly because they play in the powerhouse Southeastern Conference. Away games at No. 15 Arizona State, No. 7 LSU and No. 10 Auburn loom large, with contests between the hedges versus No. 24 Alabama and No. 18 Tennessee as well as the World's Largest Cocktail Party in Jacksonville versus No.5 Florida.

Ohio State Buckeyes - 10 wins

Like the Bulldogs, the Buckeyes also have a number of tough road contests in 2008. After two scrimmages dressed up as real games versus Youngstown State and Ohio, it's off to face USC. Other tough away games include No.13 Wisconsin in October and No. 20 Illinois in November. Granted, it should be pretty easy sledding at the Horseshoe. In fact, the only ranked team that travels to Columbus is No. 22 Penn State, in October.

USC Trojans - 10.5 wins

A similarly light schedule awaits the Trojans of Southern California, which is why the oddsmakers' total is one win more and the over is currently commanding -150 odds. Pete Carroll's troops only play three ranked teams in 2008, and all of those games are at home. After what should be an easy trip to Virginia to start things off on Aug. 30, the Trojans get two weeks to prepare for Ohio State in Los Angeles. Their two other ranked opponents, No. 21 Oregon and No. 15 Arizona State, visit in consecutive weeks to start the month of October. After that, the competition eases up. Of course, this is the same highly-touted school that lost to Stanford in 2007 and Oregon State in 2006. And don't discount the fact that USC plays its biggest rivals, Notre Dame and UCLA, back-to-back to close out the regular season. On paper, the Trojans are far superior, but motivation will be high for the Irish and Bruins, especially if their historic foes are in national-title contention.

Odds to Win the Heisman Trophy

Tim Tebow, Florida - 7/2
He won it last year, so it's no surprise he's the favorite to do it again, making him just the second player to go back-to-back. Ohio State's Archie Griffin turned the trick in 1974 and 1975, and Tebow's coach, Urban Meyer, is pretty sure his star quarterback can match the Buckeyes legend.

"There has never been anyone quite like him," Meyer told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "I am very lucky to be his coach."

Chris Wells, Ohio State - 5/1

The man they call "Beanie" was a star recruit out of high school, so it's not like nobody knew who the star tailback was before he rushed for 576 yards as a freshman in 2006 and 1,609 as a sophomore. But perhaps his finest moment came last year versus Michigan when he rumbled for 222 yards and two touchdowns in the Buckeyes' 14-3 victory over the hated Wolverines.

Knowshon Moreno, Georgia - 8/1

If the Bulldogs are to live up to expectations, they'll need a huge effort from their sophomore running back. This might be the last year of college ball for Moreno, who rushed for 1,334 yards and for 14 touchdowns as a freshman, while adding 253 receiving yards on 20 receptions, so expect big things for the man from Belford, N.J.

Stay with us here as we take you through the best in NFL action on a consistent basis, with advice columns as well as handicapping selections. If you're looking for college football betting, that's in our NCAA section, which you can reach by clicking here. And if you're looking for a different kind of football, such as the Canadian Football League, which we'll deal with occasionally, or the Arena Football League, which we really like, you can find it in our Miscellaneous section by clicking

Note: Monday night game will be picked Monday. Lines used are from football betting lines .
To visit this sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your football betting needs. Mysportsbook.com online sports betting