Now that summer is over, it’s time to drop the puck. We’re examining the NHL season for 2024–2025.
Even though the 2024–25 NHL season in Prague is over, there is still time to think about and even place futures bets with profitable hockey betting odds.
Here is what we would suggest betting on from the top PA sportsbooks for the 2024–25 NHL season.
Hart Trophy: Connor McDavid (+185, Fanatics)
Why: Although McDavid was once again at the top of his game during the playoffs, when he scored 42 points and won the Conn Smythe Trophy in Edmonton’s seven-game series loss to the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup Final, Nathan MacKinnon received his well-earned lifetime achievement Hart Trophy last season.
The Toronto Maple Leafs’ Auston Matthews and teammate Leon Draisaitl, who have already received the honor, will be McDavid’s notable companions. However, McDavid is the pick even though he is a short-odds favorite at Fanatics Sportsbook.
Other Players to Take Into Account: Nikita Kucherov, RW, Tampa Bay Lightning; Leon Draisaitl, C/RW, Edmonton Oilers; Jack Hughes, C, New Jersey Devils; Artemi Panarin, LW, New York Rangers; Austin Matthews, C, Toronto Maple Leafs.
Norris Trophy: Quinn Hughes (+600, FanDuel)
Why: After leading Vancouver to the Pacific Division regular-season championship and the second round of the playoffs with a 92-point season, Hughes was named the 2024 winner. Given that goalie Thatcher Demko is beginning the season on injured reserve, he will once more be credited for the Canucks’ success.
Since Nicklas Lidstrom in 2007–08, there hasn’t been a Norris Trophy winner who has won it twice. Colorado defenseman Cale Makar is one among the players who would be expected to accomplish it this season.
By the conclusion of the season, Hughes should be at least on FanDuel Sportsbook’s short list of favorites, assuming he doesn’t get hurt.
Other Teams to Take Into Account: Dallas Stars, Evan Bouchard, Colorado Avalanche, Adam Fox, New York Rangers, Cale Makar, Edmonton Oilers, and Miro Heiskanen.
Vezina Trophy: Igor Shesterkin (+550, DraftKings)
Why: Shesterkin is the only goalie to finish in the top three of Hart Trophy voting in the last nine seasons and is widely regarded as the best goalie in the world. Shesterkin reportedly rejected a massive, $11 million AAV contract from the Rangers prior to the start of the season, and the Rangers are poised for a potentially historic season.
Shesterkin will be a free agent on July 1st, unless he signs a new deal with New York, so this is a show-me year for him. Since winning the Vezina in 2022, Shesterkin’s save % and goals-against average have both declined in the last two seasons. However, the Rangers have everything they need around them, and Shesterkin is set for a fantastic season worthy of the award. Go to DraftKings Sportsbook and wager on him.
Connor Hellebuyck, the Winnipeg Jets, Jake Oettinger, the Dallas Stars, Jeremy Swayman, the Boston Bruins, Juuse Saros, and the Nashville Predators are more players worth taking into account.
Eastern Conference: NJ Devils (+600, BetMGM)
Why: The Devils’ poor goaltending during the 2023 playoffs and the 2023–24 season caused them to lose, but they made amends by acquiring 2023 Vezina Trophy finalist Jacob Markstrom. Markstrom just needs to improve on New Jersey’s dismal team save percentage of.886 from the previous season, which was the third-worst in hockey.
With No. 2 center Nico Hischier and Hart Trophy contender Jack Hughes, the Devils are stacked offensively, especially in the middle, if Markstrom can provide them with even decent goaltending. They also boast a group of gifted young players and an underappreciated defense led by Dougie Hamilton.
Since the Devils’ primary opponent is anticipated to be the Rangers, who New Jersey eliminated from the 2023 playoffs, the East is in upheaval, particularly the Metropolitan Division. Although Toronto’s coach Sheldon Keefe hasn’t proven he can win in the postseason, a change of location might help him.
The Panthers won the Prince of Wales Trophy in 2023 and 2024, while the Lightning won the East from 2020 to 22. Look for the Devils to finally break Sunshine State’s five-year reign on the trophy. We enjoy BetMGM Sportsbook’s odds.
The Boston Bruins, Florida Panthers, New York Rangers, and Toronto Maple Leafs are further teams worth taking into account.
Western Conference: CO Avalanche (+550, BetRivers)
Why: Because Alexandar Georgiev has been inconsistent at best, particularly during the playoffs when the Dallas Stars eliminated the Avalanche in five straight games, we have severe concerns about Colorado’s goaltending.
However, Colorado won the Stanley Cup in 2022 with Darcy Kuemper in goal, and like the Devils, they can win the Western Conference if they can have even good goaltending. The Avs will have a full season with Casey Middlestedt as their No. 2 center, a position they have been working very hard to fill since Nazem Kadri left for Calgary in free agency, and they have insurance for Georgiev in Kaapo Kahkonen.
With the Oilers, Golden Knights, and Stars perhaps in Colorado’s path, the West is a beast. At BetRivers Sportsbook, however, the Avs are getting good odds because they are designed to be among the final teams standing.
The Dallas Stars, Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, Vancouver Canucks, and Vegas Golden Knights are further teams worth taking into account.
Stanley Cup: CO Avalanche (+1300, Caesars)
Why: Although the Devils have a strong offensive line, their inexperience in the playoffs could pose a challenge in the Cup Final, particularly when facing the Avs, whose core won the Cup in 2022, particularly if captain Gabriel Landeskog manages to return in time for the playoffs.
Although Markstrom has never competed on the biggest stage in hockey, New Jersey’s goalie may even be better than Colorado’s. Additionally, Colorado coach Jared Bednar has a better chance of creating a tactical edge that will enable his team to defeat Keefe and the Devils.
Naturally, if the matchup were different, we would feel differently. However, Colorado would probably prevail in a matchup between the Devils and the Avs, so we choose them at +1300 from Caesars Sportsbook.
The Boston Bruins, Dallas Stars, Edmonton Oilers, Florida Panthers, New York Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Vegas Golden Knights are additional teams worth taking into account.