Those of us who have artificial ice coursing through our veins are looking forward to making a mint on the NHL futures market. But you don’t have to be a puckhead to make a sharp hockey bet once the football season is over. Consider these five possibilities for 2008:

Detroit to win the Stanley Cup: The Red Wings are outstanding at every position, two deep in net, and have steamrolled the competition thus far.

Ottawa to win the Eastern Conference: The Senators had a little dry spell there, but are back on track and clearly the beasts of the East.

Nicklas Lidstrom to win the Norris Trophy: Nearly as automatic as when Bobby Orr was in his prime.

Alexander Ovechkin to win the Maurice Richard Trophy: Heating up, and so are his linemates.

Denis Savard to win the Jack Adams: Having Patrick Kane on your team makes you look pretty smart.