Flames’ Stanley Cup Odds at +3300 With Peters’ Future Uncertain
- Calgary Flames coach Bill Peters is expected to be fired
- Multiple sources report that Peters called former player Akim Aliu a racial epithet while coaching in Rockford of the AHL
- Calgary’s Stanley Cup odds have already moved from +2500 to +3300
Calgary Flames coach Bill Peters was already in hot water. But now he’s gone from out of the frying pan into the status of about to be fired.
Monday, former NHL forward Akim Aliu took to social media to accuse Peters of calling him a racial epithet while Peters was coaching Aliu with the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs. Since Aliu’s post, two of his Rockford teammates have confirmed its accuracy.
Both the Flames and the NHL are investigating the situation. Peters was absent from Calgary’s practice on Tuesday but Flames GM Brad Treliving announced later that his coach had not been fired and the investigation was ongoing.
However, there’s already been movement with Calgary’s 2020 Stanley Cup odds. Sportsbooks currently list the Flames at +3300 in their Stanley Cup future books.
2020 Stanley Cup Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Boston Bruins | +850 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | +900 |
| Washington Capitals | +1000 |
| New York Islanders | +1200 |
| St. Louis Blues | +1200 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | +1200 |
| Colorado Avalanche | +1400 |
| Vegas Golden Knights | +1600 |
| Dallas Stars | +1600 |
| Edmonton Oilers | +1600 |
| Calgary Flames | +3300 |
Odds taken November 26th.
As recently as Nov. 25, the Flames were at average odds of +2500 to win the Stanley Cup.
Peters In Limbo
Originally, there were published reports that Peters had already been fired and that speculation seem to be verified when Calgary assistant coach Geoff Ward ran Tuesday’s practice. But Treliving met with the media to confirm that no decision had been made regarding Peters and the investigation was ongoing.
Having touched base with Flames GM Brad Treliving and Akim Aliu this morning I can report the two had a conversation regarding the latter’s racism allegation leveled at coach Bill Peters. You can bet the Flames investigation into this will be thorough.
— Eric Francis (@EricFrancis) November 26, 2019
Since Aliu published his incident with Peters, former NHL defenseman Michael Jordan has also published allegations that Peters physically abused players, including him, at his previous NHL stop with the Carolina Hurricanes.
NHL statement on last night’s social media posts by Akim Aliu. pic.twitter.com/aqS2h192QG
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) November 26, 2019
The NHL is also investigating the Aliu accusations, calling them “repugnant” if proven to be true.
Flames Were Already In Free Fall
Even without this disturbing development, Peters was already on thin ice in terms of his future as coach of the Flames. Calgary had lost seven of its last eight games. Included in that skid was a six-game losing streak.
Last season, the Flames finished first in the Pacific Division. Peters earned the right to coach in the NHL All-Star Game. Defenseman Mark Giordano won the Norris Trophy.
"Bill [Peters] has not been relieved of his duties, we are continuing this ongoing investigation right now," says Flames GM Brad Treliving. pic.twitter.com/yTrExKMd4w
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) November 26, 2019
But Calgary flamed out against the Colorado Avalanche in the opening round of the playoffs. It looks as though the Flames haven’t recovered from that ouster.
This season, they are 10th overall in the Western Conference at 11-12-4. Forward Johnny Gaudreau, seventh in the NHL with 99 points last season, is currently 51st in the league scoring race with 20 points from 27 games.
Peters Will Soon Pay The Bill
There’s no way that Peters will survive this episode. It would be an absolute PR disaster for the Flames to keep him in charge.
The word from NHL sources is that the Flames are just ensuring through their labor lawyers that they are doing everything by the book before they dismiss Peters.
Akim Aliu details the alleged racist comments Bill Peters made towards him as his coach. pic.twitter.com/E6mZAEqPKb
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) November 26, 2019
A week ago, you could’ve gotten +1000 on Peters being the next NHL coach to be fired. Hopefully, you jumped on that price.
On the other hand, don’t go anywhere near a bet on the Flames winning the Stanley Cup, before or after Peters is fired. This team is a train wreck flying off the rails into a dumpster fire.
They’ll be lucky to make the playoffs.
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
