The 2021-22 NHL season starts tonight, and we're all about finding NHL futures with great value before the puck is dropped on Oct. 12.

Once you get past the marquee set of NHL betting futures wagers (the leading scoring is almost certainly going to be either Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl or Nathan MacKinnon), there is a whole galaxy of others to consider. The NHL odds are higher – and the potential payouts better.

With Canada sports betting sites now accepting single-event bets, there is sure to be a ton of action on the NHL, including from Ontario sports betting fans. So, our advice to you: If you see odds you like on your favorite betting apps, jump on them now.

Here are five bets we’re making right now:

New York Islanders | Metropolitan winner

The Odds: +280 at Caesars

The Islanders still don’t seem to get much respect at sportsbooks for a team that has advanced to the Eastern Conference final the past two seasons, including taking Tampa Bay to Game 7 last season.

The bookies have made the Islanders the favorites to win the Metropolitan Division, however, and I’ll go along with that. New York gets captain Anders Lee back after a season-ending leg injury last spring. They also added some intriguing pieces to the lineup, such as veterans Zdeno Chara and Zach Parise. Take the Islanders here on this division futures pick. Take the Islanders at Caesars Sportsbook.

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CHECK OUT: Stanley Cup Odds From Top Betting Sites

Darcy Kuemper | Vezina Trophy

The Odds: +1000 at BetMGM

This is a great pick for the NHL’s best goalie this season given the tasty odds. Kuemper has had one of the NHL’s best saves percentages the past three seasons, but he’s played in obscurity in Arizona. Maybe Arizona sports betting fans know him. Others, not so much.

Now, he’s playing for the higher-profile Colorado Avalanche, with a very good team in front of him. Kuemper led Canada to an IIHF World Championship over the summer. He’s going to have a big year - and some of my opinion on that is based on him being in the final year of a contract, with UFA status following.

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RELATED: Colorado Avalanche Odds & Best Bets

Cole Caufield | CalderTrophy

The Odds: +225 at FanDuel

Despite playing a regular role for a Montreal Canadiens club that advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals, Caufield retains his rookie status because he only played 10 regular-season games for the Habs.

The 12 points Caufield scored for Montreal, in 20 playoff games, figure to give him a lot of confidence for this, his first full season. He plays with brash confidence, and I foresee 40-50 points this season. That should be enough to win the Calder. You know they’ll be betting him at Quebec betting sites; grab great odds at FanDuel.

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Vegas Golden Knights | Pacific Division winner

The Odds: -200 at WynnBET

Yeah, the price is a bit high here for a futures bet. But money is still money. Vegas saw Colorado exit its division, which helps their chances considerably. There just doesn’t seem to be any realistic chance any team in this division will challenge the Golden Knights, though Edmonton could do it.

Vegas lost Vezina winner and fan-favorite Marc-Andre Fleury, but the Golden Knights should still have plenty left to win this somewhat weak division. Bet on them at WynnBET sportsbook.

Jared Bednar, Avalanche | Coach of the Year

The Odds: +1100 at DraftKings

The coach of the Colorado Avalanche has some pressure on him after three straight second-round playoff exits. But I think that’s a good thing here. I think he will guide Colorado to another strong regular season and maybe this time go further than two rounds.

He is one of the league’s better coaches that you’ve never heard of, but maybe that will start to change this season. At +1100, this is a good bet. This is his sixth season on the job in Colorado, and so I think the added pressure to finally get this team further in the playoffs will narrow his focus. Grab these odds at DraftKings.

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