Injury Crisis: Will Early Season Injuries Provide Value For NHL Futures Bettors

When Usain Bolt set the 100M world record with a time of 9.58 seconds, his average speed during that race was 23.35 MPH. Last year, the NHL tracked Miles Wood (Colorado Avalanche) skating at a top speed of 24.82 MPH during a regular season game. That speed translates into 11 meters per second.  Ridiculous speed, combined with body checking, player collisions, and pucks shot at over 100 MPH, makes it easy to understand why hockey is considered a violent sport at its highest level. Injuries can happen quickly, and teams can suddenly lose star players.  Only two weeks into the NHL season, several big names are already out with long-term injuries.  These injuries can be an issue for teams to overcome, but they can also create value for NHL Futures bettors.

Hellebuyck’s Holdout and Shesterkin’s Injury Reshape the Vezina Race

At the start of the season, Connor Hellebuyck was the Vezina Trophy betting favourite at +450. One small issue for Hellebuyck bettors is that the Jets goalie has demanded a trade out of Winnipeg and hasn’t played a game yet.  It’s a complete unknown if and when the Jets will trade their star player, and Hellebuyck bettors must be getting anxious with each passing game. Igor Shesterkin was fifth in Vezina Trophy Odds to start the year at +1000.  Unfortunately for Rangers fans, Shesterkin suffered a serious injury after only six games and has already been ruled out for the rest of the season. New York and Winnipeg’s misfortune creates opportunities for other goalies and NHL Awards bettors.

Goalie	Vezina Odds	GAA	Save %
Ilya Sorokin	+650	1.34	.942
Andrei Vasilevskiy	+800	2.29	.892
Jeremy Swayman	+1200	1.77	.937
Linus Ullmark	+1600	1.34	.942

Islanders goalie Ilya Sorokin is now the Vezina Trophy betting favorite, and is off to a great start.  But Jeremy Swayman (Boston) and Linus Ullmark (Ottawa) appear to offer strong value, especially if the Bruins and Senators can fight their way into the playoffs.

Missing Three Key Pieces: Why Edmonton Might Have Another Gear

The NHL season is long and full of ups and downs. The Edmonton Oilers have already lost three key players to injury. Zach Hyman and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins are not Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, but they are two important pieces up front for the Oilers. Hyman played one game this year before getting hurt.  Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has yet to play this season, as the veteran forward continues to work his way back from a lower-body injury. Meanwhile, the Oilers’ current goaltending duo, Tristan Jarry and Devon Levi, is considered average at best. However, Edmonton signed Freddie Andersen as their primary puck-stopping option this year, but the former Stanley Cup Champion is out at least until December with a knee injury. Stanley Cup Odds

Team	DraftKings	FanDuel	BetMGM
Edmonton	+850	+950	+900

With less than two years remaining on his contract, Connor McDavid and crew are certainly motivated to win the Cup this season. A healthy roster, including a quality starting goalie, might be the boost they need to get over the top.  The Oilers are already winning a lot of games. One could assume that if and when they get healthy, the wins will keep piling up.