Hockey Odds: Elliot gets two-year extension with the Blues - Bookmakersinc.co.uk

By Paul Watson Saturday, 21 January 2012 10:56

Brian Elliott, lone All-Star of the St. Louis Blues who makes great hockey odds, signed a two-year contract extension with the team.

The goalie likes this team’s makeup â€" the one that surged under coach Ken Hitchcock and is among best in the NHL, and perfect for many fans that follow the hockey odds.

”I think we have a pretty good thing going right now,” Elliott said on Wednesday night. ”I’ve been on the other side of it, and I’m not a guy that will want to roll the dice all the time.

”I just like to have it done and not worry about it, so I can just play hockey.”

Fans that bet on hockey found out that next season, the $3.6 million deal will pay Elliott, 26-years-old, $1.7 million, and in 2013-2014, $1.9 million. This season, the player signed a two-way contract and is making $600,000.

”He’s the perfect example of perseverance,” Hitchcock said. ”He just had to become more compact in his game, and he’s done that, he’s done it beautifully.

”He’s resurrected a career based on being able to look in the mirror and not feel sorry for himself, and make adjustments.”

Elliott did not expect the Blues to approach him, but many fans that like to bet on hockey, especially those that follow the hockey odds, are glad that they did.

”I was happy that they wanted me to stay. Whenever you get that, you know that they’re impressed with you and your work ethic,” Elliott said.

The player is 15-5-1 with five shutouts and a 1.68 goals-against average, which is the NHL’s second-best. Elliot entered training camp fighting for a backup job behind Jaroslav Halak, but he was able to capitalise on Halak’s slow start as he won his first four starts. Now they split playing time.

”Obviously, with our record, I think it’s been really good,” Elliott said. ”Whenever you get a couple of guys pushing each other, I think it helps a lot.”

Halak and Elliott combined for a 1.98 goals-against average, which is tied for the best in the league, and the players lead the league with eight shutouts, making very good hockey odds. At home, Elliott is 9-1-1.

”The situation he was in last summer, wondering where he was going to play and finding a good home here and doing his job on the ice, I think it’s a great story,” general manager Doug Armstrong said. ”Now he can settle in and take his career to the next level.”