Hmpf. Many of the online betting fans following the Blue and White are happy with Brian Burke’s offseason but I have to wonder if they’d be saying the same if it weren’t for one key signing — the Mike Komisarek deal, of course. That’s a great deal but it’s the only major move the Leafs have made so far.

In my sports predictions, I have to wonder if there’s a bit of collusion happening against Brian Burke. He’s always been a colorful, brash, in-your-face speaker, but he did so in West Coast markets or in Hartford, which may as well have been Greenland. Now, every sound bite he gives has a much bigger ripple. Saying stuff like “we’re trading up, we’ll aggressively pursuing so-and-so” — almost daring the league to stop him — may have ruffled a few feathers.

Overall, I like Burke’s style and I’m willing to accept the consequences that go with his actions. But I’d bet at the offshore sportsbook that more than one GM said “You know what? He made me a good offer but I’m sick of his antics and don’t want to get pushed around, so I’m not trading with him.:”

Am I crazier than someone picking Roddick’s Wimbledon odds Sunday? Maybe, but I’m betting management in several NHL cities could prove me right.

Are you really that surprised, NHL betting fans? Why?

You’ll tell me that I’m crazy. You’ll tell me Martin Gerber is online betting kryptonite (and I’m sure he was — did anyone pick the Leafs to beat Washington at the sportsbook last night?).

But I’ll tell you that you’d only be right in certain situations. And this is not one of those situations.

If you look closely at Gerber’s career, his numbers are totally dictated by his situation. When he has no competition for a starting job, he excels. When he’s remotely pushed, he crumbles like a stale cookie.

I’m sorry, hockey betting fans…did you think Curtis Joseph, Olaf “press box” Kolzig or Justin “AHL” Pogge was gonna push Gerber hard for the starting job?

With Ray Emery injured to open the season in 2007-08, Gerber went 7-1 with a 1.99 GAA and .940 save percentage in October and 22-8-1 with a 2.65 GAA and .914 save percentage before the All-Star break. After Emery returned and started competing with him for the job: Gerber posted a 2.92 or higher GAA in three of the last four months of the season and won eight of 22 post-break starts.

Keep a close eye on Gerber and the Leafs, who are somehow 5-0-1 in their last six games, at the sportsbook down the stretch. Know that Gerber is at his best when there’s no pressure and consider the Leafs in some online betting matchups. DON’T pick Gerber against the Sens next week, though — his motivation for revenge would constitute a “pressure” game, meaning Gerber should wilt.

Happy NHL betting this weekend…

As I wait for the horrible weather to go away and wish I could fly to Tampa Bay to enjoy my Super Bowl 43 betting, I’m about to do what many NHL betting fans hate: talk about the Toronto Maple Leafs. Yes, the NHL is a big league, and the Leafs shouldn’t always be the centerpiece…especially when they’re as crappy as they are right now. But online sports betting fans can’t ignore the so-called “hockey mecca” all year long…and besides, when have I gabbed about the Leafs on this blog so far?

I’ll try to keep this short ‘n’ sweet. Brian Burke, I have two warnings for you…

1. DO NOT TRADE FOR CHRIS PRONGER. Hey, I have nothing against him as a player. I love the guy, actually, and he’s captured the hearts of those who bet on hockey over the years. But the rumor that Brian Burke is exploring a deal for him is troubling for Leaf Nation. Acquiring an expensive 34-year-old means trading something to get him. And the Leafs cannot deal away picks or waste our key trading chips on a guy past his prime.

2. DO NOT TRADE FOR JAY BOUWMEESTER. Am I crazy? Not trade for the Chris Pronger of 10 years ago, but with more offenisve upside (albeit less physicality)? Hold your horses. Acquiring Bouwmeester would be a great move for Toronto. If I’m Burke, I make a strong play for him when he’s an unrestricted free agent this summer. But trading for Bouwmeester before the deadline could be disastrous. It would entail dealing away a valuable piece — say, Tomas Kaberle — when the Leafs could sign Bouwmeester in July without surrendering any players or picks in return.

Burke has to use his trading chips to get picks and prospects. Pronger doesn’t fit that mold at all and Bouwmeester can be had without giving anything up. Remember that, NHL betting fans and Brian Burke!