Training camps are in full swing and the NHL regular season is fast approaching with opening day on October 10. To coincide, sportsbooks across the country have released their regular season futures betting odds.
I’m going to highlight some future prop bets with potential value, and a long shot on the season within the Calgary market.
Team Props – Season Point Totals
Chicago Blackhawks
Over 73.5 (-110)
The Blackhawks won the draft lottery and came away with the biggest draft selection since Connor McDavid in Connor Bedard. The latter of the Connors is looking hot in his very early debut with Chicago, putting on an absolute performance in the team’s young stars showcase.
Chicago finished the season with 59 standing points last season. But, with the addition of Bedard, Taylor Hall, Nick Foligno and Corey Perry, Chicago will have a good mix of veteran leadership and young talent.
I don’t think it’s unrealistic to see the Blackhawks pull out at least 35 wins this upcoming season.
Calgary Flames
Over 94.5 (-110)
Am I biased? Well, I’d be lying if I said I made this selection with no influence from my painful lifelong tenure as a Flames fan.
That being said, it’s still a very realistic outcome. The Flames entered last season with top-five odds to win the Stanley Cup. Obviously, things didn’t go as planned. But with the vast majority of the roster returning, and so many key players having career-low seasons last year, the Flames are due for a bounce-back season.
Finishing the year with 93 points last season and a league-leading 32 one-goal losses, it’s a safe bet in my eyes. The Flames arguably have more to be excited about this season than last and this bet should excite your wallet as well.
Player Props
Devon Levi – G – Buffalo Sabres
Wins 24.5 / Over (-115)
Devon Levi burst onto the NHL scene last year when he joined the Buffalo Sabres after playing out his NCAA season with Northeastern University.
The young goaltender took over the media scene with his fun-loving personality and odd routine on the ice—meditating during TV timeouts. Beyond his personality, the kid can stop a puck.
Levi started seven games last season finishing with a 5–2–0 record on the season. Following the season, Levi joined Team Canada in the World Championships, starting one game and securing the win.
Levi has a great buzz around him with a strong and young Sabres team in front of him. Look for a similar workload and totals that Calder Memorial Trophy finalist Stuart Skinner posted last season (50GP – 29–14–5).
Levi also holds the third-highest odds to win the Calder at +1200. Although it’s tempting, Connor Bedard is an absolute shoo-in for the award, but gives context to the season we could see from Levi.
Connor Bedard – C/W – Chicago Blackhawks
Goals – 31.5 / Over (-115)
Thirty goals in a rookie season is a benchmark that only five players have hit in the last 10 years. Auston Matthews was the only player to hit 40 goals in his rookie campaign during that same span.
If you had to pick one aspect of Bedard’s game to put money on, it’s his shot. The young Vancouver product has showcased his incredible goal-scoring ability at every level he’s played at. He started his prospect showcase debut with Chicago scoring a hat trick. No, he wasn’t playing against NHL-level defenders, but I don’t see a reason why Bedard won’t continue his prowest into the NHL this season.
Realistically I think he scores 35+ if not 40+ goals this season.
Over 31.5 goals is a confident selection, I’d even consider taking a milestone bet for Bedard to hit the 40-goal mark. Odds on the 40+ milestone are currently sitting at +475, over quadruple your input in return.
Jonathan Huberdeau – LW – Calgary Flames
Points – 77.5 / Over (-115)
Jonathan Huberdeau was one of the biggest disappointments on the Calgary Flames last season. The winger had the biggest drop in point production season to season in NHL history last year, dropping from 115 points in 2021–22 to 55 points in 2022–23.
With new head coach Ryan Huska and power play specialist Marc Savard joining the coaching staff this year, Huberdeau is due for a big bounce back.
Huberdeau will notably look for more power play success this season and Marc Savard’s philosophy seems to suit his play style well. I’d hope to see at least 25+ pts on the man advantage for Huberdeau—last season he only had 15.
I don’t know if we’ll see another 100+ point season out of the St-Jerome Quebec product, but 80+ seems reasonable to expect this season. It appears Huberdeau is extremely motivated for the upcoming season and is determined to set his play back on track.
Long Shot – Jack Adams
Ryan Huska (+2800)
Reiterating what we’ve already discussed, the Flames are due for a bounce-back season with a talented roster. If the team can compete for the division this year, Huska would be a surefire Jack Adams candidate after the team’s performance last year.
Huska has the potential to take home the award and at +2800 odds, it could be fun to throw a few dollars on this future. For context, a $10 bet would pay out $290.
Stories win awards and the Flames have an opportunity to be one of the biggest bounce-back stories this year. Huska is a first-time HC at the NHL level and a fresh, more in-tune voice is exactly what the team needed this offseason.
Bet smart
The 2023–24 season offers a plethora of new talent and excitement for fans of the Flames and league alike. If wagering with any betting services this season remember to gamble responsibly.
