While we have no firm dates for the start of the NHL season, we can still bet futures.
With the uncertainty of how this season is going work, we could see some surprises at the top of the NHL standings in 2020-21. The Western Conference is always extremely competitive.
Make sure you read our 2021 NHL Eastern Conference Betting Preview from last week.
We also have published 2021 NHL Stanley Cup Odds and Predictions.
Live NHL Odds at the Best Hockey Betting Sites
NHL futures can be wagered on at America’s Bookie and BetOnline.
Favorites to Win the 2021 NHL Western Conference
The Dallas Stars won the Western Conference in 2020 after finishing fourth in the West standings during the shortened regular season (82 Points). They’re not favored to repeat in 2021.
The Colorado Avalanche (+325) and Vegas Golden Knights (+375) are the two favorites to win the Western Conference. The Stars eliminated both of these teams in the 2020 NHL playoffs.
During the 2020 regular season, the Avs finished in second place (92 Points), while VGK finished in third place (86 Points). Out of the two favorites, the Avs are the best bet.
Colorado were disappointed with the way the playoffs went, but they went out and made a couple trades to bring in Brandon Saad and Devon Toews. These moves will surely help the Avs.
Saad is a two-time Stanley Cup champion with tons of experience. He’s also a sniper. He has 20+ goals in five of the past six seasons. Toews will likely start on the third defensive pairing.
Best Bet: Colorado Avalanche to Win the West (+325)
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Longshots to Win the 2021 NHL Western Conference
Every other team in the West are paying 10/1 odds or better to win the conference.
The Stars and St. Louis Blues are paying 10/1 odds. Up next are two Canadian teams. The Edmonton Oilers are paying 12/1 odds and the Vancouver Canucks are paying 14/1 odds to win the West.
You can’t pass up the value on the Blues right now. They’re paying +1000 and they should be paying much less, but they don’t get a lot of love from NHL bettors for some reason.
Alex Pietrangelo is gone to VGK, but the Blues brought in Torey Krug from the Bruins. I like this move a lot. They also brought in Kyle Clifford who will provide some bottom-six production.
Jordan Binnington is the true #1 in STL now with Jake Allen gone. Binnington seen his numbers drop this past season, but I expect him to bounce back. He has a great defense in front of him.
Vladimir Tarasenko has injured his shoulder again and is going to miss the start of the season, but if he comes back healthy for the playoffs, that’ll give the Blues a big boost.
Best Bet: St. Louis Blues to Win the West (+1000)
2021 NHL Western Conference Futures Odds
Here are the betting odds to win the NHL Western Conference for every team:
Colorado Avalanche (+325)
Vegas Golden Knights (+375)
Dallas Stars (+1000)
St. Louis Blues (+1000)
Edmonton Oilers (+1200)
Vancouver Canucks (+1400)
Nashville Predators (+1600)
Winnipeg Jets (+1800)
Arizona Coyotes (+2000)
Calgary Flames (+2000)
San Jose Sharks (+2500)
Minnesota Wild (+2800)
Los Angeles Kings (+3300)
Anaheim Ducks (+4000)
Chicago Blackhawks (+4000)
