Early NHL futures value can be found by targeting opportunity, with McKenna, Vasilevskiy, MacKinnon and Werenski among our picks
Toronto Maple Leafs rookie Gavin McKenna is making a fast impression at training camp, lining up on the left side with John Tavares and William Nylander.
McKenna is just 18 and was taken first overall by the Leafs in June’s NHL draft.
“The playmaking is elite,” said Tavares. There was no easing him in – Leafs coach Jim Hiller immediately slotted him in with Tavares and Nylander, rather than with depth players or prospects. Captain Auston Matthews said McKenna arrived in camp with confidence, found his groove quickly and looks comfortable at this level.
In Last night’s first preseason game against the Canadiens, McKenna played 20:39.
Of course, a young, high draft pick can make the jump to the pros. Macklin Celebrini fit in fast with the Sharks. Conor Bedard slotted in right away with the Blackhawks.
It’s tempting to make awards futures bets before the season starts. Perhaps it’s best to hold off until November, when there is more evidence. The odds this time of year are enticing, though.
One useful strategy is to bet roles rather than names: look for rookies getting top-six minutes and power-play time, goaltenders with clear No. 1 workloads, defencemen quarterbacking PP1 and coaches whose teams have plausible breakout potential.
Here’s a list of NHL awards picks.
Vezina Trophy Predictions
At Betway, Connor Hellebuyck is +400, Logan Thompson of the Capitals is +650, Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Lightning is +700, Ilya Sorokin of the Islanders is +700, and Igor Shesterkin of the Rangers is +1000.
I like Vasilevskiy more than Hellebuyck here, since Hellebuyck, typically in the conversation, requested a trade out of Winnipeg and has been suspended for not reporting to training camp. Too much is unknown about him. Could he sit out the entire year? Vasilevskiy at +700 offers a better price. He’s an established Stanley Cup winner on an elite team, with a Vezina-winning upside.
Best bet: Vasilevskiy (+700)
Calder Trophy Picks
In NHL betting at Betway, McKenna is +275, followed by Porter Martone of the Flyers at +275, Ivar Stenberg of the Sharks (+550), Anton Frondell of the Blackhawks at +900, and Cole Hutson of the Capitals (+900).
Martone already emerged with the Flyers last season, producing 10 points in nine regular-season games, and projects to play in the Top 6 this season.
With Toronto slotting McKenna into the second line, and with his playmaking already catching the eye of teammates, especially with the veteran Tavares taking him under his wing, I could see him eventually moving over to duty on Toronto’s No. 1 power play.
Best bet: McKenna (+275)
Hart Trophy Predictions
At Betway, Connor McDavid of the Oilers is at +275, followed by Nathan MacKinnon of the Avalanche (+325), Macklin Celebrini of the Sharks (+400), Leon Draisaitl of the Oilers (+1000), and Auston Matthews of the Leafs (+1200).
Nikita Kucherov of the Lightning is a little further down the Betway list, at +1200. Kucherov won it last year, is an established 100-plus-point winger on a team that’s won multiple Stanley Cups over the past decade.
My pick is MacKinnon. McDavid is the more obvious pick based on ability, but not at that price. MacKinnon, coming off a season in which he produced 53 goals and 127 points, is the better value. Matthews is a good value play at +1200, a clearer path to the Hart if he can recapture the goal-scoring prowess from a few years ago – if he can stay healthy – combined with the Leafs making a comeback in the standings.
Best bet: MacKinnon (+325)
Norris Trophy Predictions
At Betway, Cale Makar of the Avalanche is +300, followed by Quinn Hughes of the Wild (+400), Zach Werenski of the Blue Jackets (+550), Rasmus Dahlin of the Sabres (+700), and Lane Hutson of the Canadiens (+800).
Again, with these futures picks at this time of the year, I’m not spending a lot of money, and I’m leaning towards value plays. Most people would go Makar, but Werenski was in the Norris conversation last season, and at +550 offers a lot of value.
Do you place Werenski in the same elite tier as Makar? That’s what you have to ask yourself.
Best bet: Werenski (+550)
