NHL Betting – Rookie of the Year Futures
If the NFL odds threw you for a loop last week, maybe it’s time to take a step back and bet on something long-term. With the hockey season just a couple of weeks old, it’s still a prime time to bet on NHL futures.
The Rookie of the Year award isn’t purely about talent; it’s also about situation. When you make your wager, think about who has the clearest path to first-line and special teams minutes.
Here are some prime candidates to win Rookie of the Year.
THE TOP CONTENDER
John Tavares, Islanders
Easily the frontrunner for the award, Tavares has the tools to become a perennial top-five scorer in the NHL – soft hands, a good shot, great vision and puck-protection skills. All those abilities trump his subpar skating. Most importantly for sportsbook bettors, Tavares plays on the horrible New York Islanders. The Isles have no depth and little talent, so Tavares will get boatloads of ice time. He’s already responded with five points in his first four games.
OTHER MAJOR CONTENDERS
Matt Duchene, Avalanche
Evander Kane, Thrashers
Nikita Filatov, Blue Jackets
These guys are virtual sure things to become high-impact NHLers within a few years, but it remains to be seen if they’ll have an impact immediately.
Duchene has the clearest path to ice time but is a two-way center whose offense will develop slowly. Kane may be the most NHL-ready but is the lowest on his team’s depth chart. That leaves Filatov, who still has to grow into his body but has a sniper skill set and a chance to stick on a scoring line all season. He’s the best bet of this group.
SOLID PICKS
Michael Del Zotto, Rangers
James Van Riemsdyk, Flyers
Jamie Benn, Stars
These three guys are making an immediate impact with their respective clubs to start the season. I like Benn the least of this group simply because his supporting cast in Dallas is still developing. Playing on the powerhouse Flyers, who top many sports picks lists, Van Riemsdyk will have quality linemates wherever he plays, but he’ll have to fight for special teams minutes. Del Zotto is off to a sizzling start with five points in six games and, while he’ll surely come back to Earth, he could have a strong rookie season since the Rangers need a power-play quarterback.
LONG SHOTS
Victor Hedman, Lightning
Viktor Stalberg, Maple Leafs
If you’re surprised to see Hedman, the most hyped defensive prospect of the decade, so low on this list, review your hockey history. Not only do defenseman take a long time to develop, big defenseman take an especially long time to develop – especially really big defensemen. Chris Pronger and Zdeno Chara spent a few years as awkward beanpoles before becoming superstars. Though he’s starting well offensively, Hedman will take his lumps this season. Toronto’s Stalberg deserves a look on the strength of his phenomenal preseason, but it’s hard to imagine any Leaf player taking home hardware the way they’re playing right now.
It’s probably good betting management to steer clear of these two.
