NHL Draft Betting Odds 2025
For NHL bettors interested in wagering on the NHL Draft, you’re in luck! This guide covers everything you need to know — from the latest NHL odds for the draft to an explanation on how the NHL Draft Lottery works, along with links to the best hockey betting sites for placing your wagers.
NHL Draft Betting Odds
Top sportsbooks have release their NHL Draft betting markets long in advance. With the 2025 draft taking place a couple of months ago, it won’t be long until the draft odds are available for the 2026/27 season. In the table below, you’ll find the latest odds from three leading sportsbooks — and we’ll keep it updated as the lines shift. Whether you’re looking to bet on the draft, explore NHL Draft prop bets, or compare odds for this year or next, you’re in the right place.
We use this chart of NHL draft odds as a stand-in, but you can also find betting guides for the NHL Stanley Cup. It’s another great hockey futures bet that keeps you engaged in the game.
| NHL Draft 2025 - 1st Overall Pick |  |  |  |
| San Jose Sharks | +440 | +450 | +440 |
| Chicago Blackhawks | +640 | +650 | +640 |
| Anaheim Ducks | +770 | +800 | +820 |
| Columbus Blue Jackets | +950 | +1000 | +950 |
| Montreal Canadiens | +1100 | +1100 | +1200 |
| Utah | +1250 | +1250 | +1300 |
| Ottawa Senators | +1450 | +1450 | +1450 |
How to Bet on the NHL Draft
Check out these strategies to make the best NHL Draft bets.
Know the Basics
To get started on making any sort of hockey bet, it is important to know the basics. You should read our guide on the basics of betting before throwing yourself headfirst into NHL Draft bets.
Research the Player
To make smart NHL Draft bets, it’s crucial to track rising hockey talent well before draft day. Identifying top prospects early — like Matthew Schaefer, who was picked first by the New York Islanders in June 2025 — can give you a major edge when odds are released.
Without this insight, you’re essentially betting blind. It’s not enough to know the NHL; you also need a solid grasp of the college, junior, and international levels that feed into the league. In draft betting, preparation is everything.
Research the Teams
Knowing the players is only half the equation — understanding the NHL teams making the picks is just as important. A prospect may be generating major buzz, but teams draft based on specific needs, not just overall talent.
Some NHL teams prioritize immediate impact, while others are focused on long-term development. It’s essential to understand each team’s strategy, how their front office is building the roster, and what direction they’re aiming for — all of which heavily influence their draft decisions.
Only Use Trusted Sites
Signing up at a shady sports betting site can jeopardize all the effort and research you’ve invested in making NHL draft bets, such as betting on NHL draft odds or placing wagers on the NHL draft lottery. Some of these sites can be scams. That’s why we put in the effort to provide you with trusted online sportsbooks that we have thoroughly tested and vetted.
Rest assured that all the sportsbooks we recommend here are safe and highly respected for NHL draft betting. You’ll find a variety of options, including NHL draft prop bets, along with responsive customer service agents to assist you. Additionally, make sure to check the latest 2026 NHL draft lottery odds on different trusted bookies as the 2026/27 season rolls around to make the most informed choices.
Bankroll Management
With a proper bankroll management strategy, your whole approach to betting will change. You will have a crystal clear view of what you are doing like never before. Once you have a systematic approach to your betting finances, you will have your own microscopic way to analyze your betting portfolio.
The two main approaches are the unit and percentage approach. Each one has its advantages and disadvantages, depending on what type of bettor you are.
NHL Draft Lottery Odds
Looking at the NHL draft lottery odds is an important part of making smart NHL draft bets. This is one of the most popular NHL draft prop bets. In the NHL lottery odds, each team that did not qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs has a weighed chance of making the first pick.
Understanding this is obviously key if you are going to make a bet on the first overall pick for the NHL Draft. The draft lottery normally takes place a few weeks before the actual draft, giving you plenty of teams to check out the odds and the team order and start to make some betting decisions.
Sports Betting Sites