The NHL Entry Draft is an annual event that enables National Hockey League franchises to add new players to their rosters. Held prior to the start of each season, the draft always generates tons of excitement ahead of the new campaign.
Hockey fans often tune into the event to track their team’s movements and keep up to speed on the action, but did you know that you can also bet on the NHL draft? That’s right – you can actually make money from betting on the NHL draft.
On this page, you will find lots of useful information about NHL draft betting markets and how to maximize your chances of landing a profit.
NHL Draft Betting Markets Explained
Here are some of the most popular ways to bet on the NHL draft every year:
Betting on the First Overall Pick in the Draft
It only makes sense to start with the most popular NHL draft betting market. This market allows you to bet on the first player selected in the draft, with most sportsbooks offering odds for the top 10-20 prospects.
It is also worth noting that some bookmakers release odds for other positions in the draft, meaning you may be able to wager on which player will be selected second, third and so on.
Be sure to study the top prospects each year to give yourself the best possible chance of predicting the NHL draft.
How Many International Players Will Be Drafted?
Not only can franchises draft North American players aged 18-20, but they can also draft international players aged 18-21. Accordingly, you can bet on the number of international players selected in the draft.
This market can vary from sportsbook to sportsbook, with some offering odds for the specific number of players and others offering over/under options. For that reason, it pays to check different bookmakers to find the best value.
Betting on When a Player Will Be Drafted
This popular NHL draft betting market involves predicting when a certain player will be selected. For example, a sportsbook could have odds for a player to be selected before or after the fifth pick.
On top of that, some of the top prospects in the draft will have their own draft position props. Be sure to shop around to make full use of all the NHL draft props on offer.
Which Player Will a Franchise Pick First?
Last but not least, this market enables you to bet on a team’s first pick in the draft. Certain franchises may target a specific type of player in the draft, so you should always follow the latest NHL news to get a feel for what might happen.
