NHL Draft Odds - Tavares, Hedman battle for No. 1 spot
The NHL Draft Odds are now posted, and although it originally looked like it would be a no-brainer for the first pick overall, there has been more and more competition for the top spot as the draft has crept closer. Online betting handicappers can assume that both John Tavares and Victor Hedman will be the top two picks in the draft, but what will the order be?
NHL Draft odds: Tavares, Hedman...or Duchene?
- John Tavares is the shoe-in pick for first overall
- Tavares versus Hedman equals offense versus defense
- Tavares, Hedman, Duchene will be the draft order
The NHL Draft Odds are up for the 2009 version of the player entry draft, and it should be a dandy. After watching the Pittsburgh Penguins and Detroit Red Wings battle it out for the Stanley Cup – two teams that draft very well – a lot of NHL betting experts know that the draft will be key. The main question that sportsbook odds makers and NHL General Managers alike will be asking: is the first choice John Tavares, or Victor Hedman?
But there are new rumors that the NHL draft odds makers have had to account for, and those have included Matt Duchene in the conversation for the top pick overall. Of the three prospects, he may be the most complete player, which is why he has made this a threesome. If not for Duchene, then the conversation simply becomes offense versus defense. Tavares is a talented scorer while Hedman looks like a premier, prototypical defenseman.
The New York Islanders, who hold the coveted first pick overall, need a face for their franchise and they need scoring – among many other things. That means Tavares figures to be a good fit. Tavares is a huge favorite on the NHL draft odds to be the first pick, but there are some pundits that would opt to build from the back end forward. If that’s the case, then Hedman makes sense. In the new NHL, teams don’t go far without defense, and with Hedman and goalie Rick DiPietro, the Islanders might have a foundation.
The Islanders need more than just a good prospect - they need a star. Of the three players on the draft board right now, Tavares is the one with star potential who can help draw fans into the seats at Nassau Coliseum. With offense and drawing power being the biggest needs of the Isles, they’ll take Tavares first overall. Next in line are the Tampa Bay Lightning - who are a shoe-in for Hedman - and the Colorado Avalanche will gladly scoop up Matt Duchene at No. 3.
The NHL draft odds makers have it right. Tavares is the favorite, Hedman has a small-but-outside chance for the top spot but will likely go second, and Duchene will be drafted third overall.
For regular handicapping information on sports betting and daily picks visit the Betting Edge throughout the entire NHL season.
Who better to offer great sports betting and hockey tips than a native Canadian? Like any good Canuck, Don Melrose eats, sleeps, breathes and bets hockey, making him the perfect NHL handicapper. Thoughts or questions? Email Comments@BetOnline.com.
