NHL Betting News This Month | NHL Begins 2026-27 Campaign | September 2026

Chris Wasselby Chris Wassel
Updated: September 1, 2026

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The time to come out of the wilderness is now. Yes, there will be NHL games played as the 2026-27 NHL season kicks off later this month. The silly season saw plenty of money spent, some trades, and an extension or two. This time of year builds quickly from almost nothing to full action. With season schedules out and updated numbers, we have plenty to talk about along with a futures update or several.

Who got closer to winning Lord Stanley’s Cup? Carolina appears poised to defend its crown. Vegas may not have an easy time this go around. Florida desires to bounce back desperately. If that is not enough, there is that whole 84-game schedule to consider for 2026-27. Also, who took some steps back and forward? These are excellent questions.

Anyway, there is always the upcoming season’s Stanley Cup odds. That sounds like enough excitement to go diving right in!

Before we check on even more NHL betting news and betting trends, we serve up top-flight NHL betting news and analysis. So, do check out the best NHL betting sites for 2026-27 and explore all the Stanley Cup online betting resources.

NHL betting storylines breakdown

Scroll below to find the latest NHL storylines and betting opportunities on the following topics:

  1. We lead with the Cale Makar extension. Naturally, there are plenty of reasons for this.
  2. Will Detroit go in a “baseball” sort of direction? We wait to see what the Red Wings do post-Yzerman.
  3. The 84 game schedule is near. Hey, this is something to consider (load maintenance, etc.).
  4. Let us update some more futures in our mix. Hey, futures are fun and we serve up more.
  5. The Team Points are here to stay. The NHL point totals have come out for bettors.
  6. 2026-27 NHL games to bet on already? Yes, they are out. We point out some things to be mindful of.

We lead with the Cale Makar extension

Anyone who is anyone saw the big domino that was to come. Yes, Cale Makar has signed his much-hyped contract extension. The Colorado Avalanche defenseman had 20 goals and 79 points in the 2025-26 season. Many were talking that Makar might be the first player to get that $20 million AAV. Guess what? Something happened like it was actually supposed to. Colorado, and their General Manager Joe Sakic, came up with an agreement with Makar and his agent. Makar wound up with an eight year deal at $20.4 million AAV.

Colorado secures one of its difference makers for the distant future. The Avalanche may have problems contending in the West, but they now have a better chance at least. Makar, when healthy, poses plenty of problems for the opposition and creates matchup chaos.

So, Sakic knew he had to seal up Makar because that keeps the main parts of the roster sewn up for the next several seasons. Can Sakic and company find a way to get a little cap flexibility? That may be something best answered later. One thing to be aware of, Makar will be available to start the season. He is 100% healthy and ready to go after an upper body injury that nixed Colorado’s playoff run.

There remains speculation now with Quinn Hughes of the Minnesota Wild. Minnesota remains on the radar for the defenseman. However, until there is an extension, there is going to be speculation. Whispers grow louder and the market has been set. Does Hughes take less money to go somewhere else? Again, this could be settled quickly or not. No one truly knows. Stay tuned!

What is going on in Detroit?

So, the Detroit Red Wings enter September in quite a dilemma. Steve Yzerman is now upstairs while the ownership group continues to go through its process in naming a new General Manager. Meanwhile, Dylan Larkin keeps reiterating his trade request for the world to know. He is not budging despite Detroit’s best hopes of finding someone that will appease his concerns with the Red Wings. Larkin is signed into the 2030-31 season at an $8.7 million AAV.

Maybe the only clear thing in Detroit right now is the amount of dysfunction. Understandably, some names we have heard are Florida assistant GM Brett Peterson and San Jose assistant GM Jeff Kealty. Andrew Thomas and several others have supposedly been interviewed in some form as well.

Now, for Detroit, and any betting chances, the Red Wings dragging this out into September creates its share of problems. Detroit feels like it is trying to play some form of “Moneyball”. Yes, that is the baseball term. Considering training camp is looming, Detroit is not going to have an easy time here. Even if there is some sort of plan, things must get into gear and quick. Closure for Larkin one way or another will give bettors guidance on which way to go.

With what Detroit is considering for General Manager, maybe it is time to consider Detroit for not making the playoffs (-350). The Red Wings are still +15000 to win the Stanley Cup and a conference worst +250 to make the playoffs in the East. Also, there is the chance that Detroit just decides to rebuild anyway which puts some of their other higher-profiled players on alert. Will they be next to go? Detroit’s over/under of 86.5 points may lean more to the under.

The 84-game schedule is here

The NHL season rolls in with an 84-game schedule for this 2026-27 campaign. Surely, this is something that will require adjustments. Now, the season will now start at the tail end of September to accommodate the changes to the schedule. Also, there will be fewer preseason games (only four) and a more concise training camp. Do be aware that informal skates are already taking place as it is September after all.

While the Stanley Cup still will be awarded in June, the extra two games will allow for two more divisional matchups per team. Yes, we get September hockey as the season will open September 29th. One of the more intriguing aspects of the NHL season will be fewer nights where there is only one game on the schedule. It was an issue for fans and bettors alike. Too many nights had way too little in terms of action.

While it is nice that All-Star weekend returns, bettors get two nights of “Frozen Fury” with all 32 teams in action (October 13 and April 10th). With the usual international games (this time in Finland and Germany), and the Heritage Classic plus Stadium Series, there will be something for everyone. As usual, one’s betting rhythm could be distracted a bit in the early weeks of the season as teams get into a groove. Some will struggle out of the game while a few get a jump.

Clearly, the schedule change was a long time coming. With potentially one or two more expansion teams added into the mix, it made sense for this to happen now and not later. Do not worry, we have more on the MTS docket as always.

More and more futures options are out there

Now, the NHL Futures gain full steam as more and more futures are out there. If one was hoping for any substantial change in the Stanley Cup Futures, we still offer our apologies. More movement will come later in September as the NHL season gets very close. After all, training camps and preseason offer up several twists including injuries and unexpected other problems. Again, do be patient on those futures.

Okay, what new futures have opened up? Officially, one can bet on the Presidents’ Trophy winner, which is the best overall team during the regular season. Right now, Florida and Carolina have opened up as co-favorites at +475. If that was not enough, four of the major individual awards have updated odds – the Hart, Norris, Vezina, and Calder trophies. Also, one can bet on the top seeds for the Stanley Cup playoffs already. Carolina is the East favorite (+190) with Colorado (+205) the West favorite.

The division and conference champion futures got a slight update to start September. Now, MTS gets the ball rolling with stage-of-elimination betting. Yes, with teams, you can bet on this prop that rewards one for having a keen early eye in predicting outcomes. One thing we do suggest is to watch for some player and team specials along the way. October specials will be seen on some sites to get bettors ready for the upcoming season.

The October specials include props for points, goals, assists, and shots on goal. If one is wondering about the team perspective, there are options for team points and most team points. Do take a look at the amount of games and schedule for each team before considering any of these specials.

NHL bettors and those team points

There was not much movement with team points as September is now upon us. This is still a mostly quiet time so it is good to see some of these numbers now. With 32 teams in the league, there feels like an overload of options. However, the key is to focus on a few teams that catch one’s eyes. Then, start doing research as training camps get underway. Watch out for injuries and unexpected roster news. A few point totals will become worth looking into.

Again, the NHL now plays 84 games. It is something we will drill into the existence. Rest days are fewer and far between. Also, teams are going to tinker with load management. No one wants to see unnecessary injuries. Fortunately, this season does not feature an Olympic year so the chances of man games lost being at quite the same level as 2025-26 is thankfully lower. Those are just chances, however.

Yes, there are always some numbers to monitor. The Detroit Red Wings are set at 86.5 points for this year. This season may see them struggle to stay above .500 especially if they trade Dylan Larkin. Some believe that will be a breath of fresh air while others believe that could be a gateway to another rebuild. Winnipeg (Over/Under 84.5 points) may not get to 80 points if they actually do trade Connor Hellebuyck. The Jets appear even worse into 2026-27. They could end up last in the West or close.

NHL games to bet on? Yes, you can!

The NHL season is just weeks away and yet there are select NHL games to bet on already. Early on the schedule and lines will appear a little simplistic. What one will see is the puck line, moneyline, and over/under on total goals. One might see a few smaller props like a 60 minute line but be patient. Before a bettor knows it, dozens of options will be available from anytime goal scorer to first goal scorer and beyond.

Anyway, Tuesday, September 29th opens this 2026-27 NHL season with five games on the schedule. The following day has two more contests including the Battle of Pennsylvania. Some sportsbooks will have games about a week to 10 days out to start the season. We have seen a few sites go all the way out to October 10th.

Just think, the NHL season is almost here.

The 2026-27 campaign expects to bring many twists and turns. MTS will keep you covered and ready to go!

Previous betting news updates

  • [August 2026]: Free agent fallout and new numbers as most anyone NHL went on summer vacation.
  • [July 2026]: Free agent frenzy was indeed bananas as NHL rosters start to take shape.
  • [June 2026]: Carolina wins the Stanley Cup and now the NHL Draft and Free Agency approach.
  • [June 2026]: Vegas and Carolina in middle of Stanley Cup along with draft and free agency talk.
  • [June 2026]: Vegas and Carolina battle onward for the Stanley Cup as the offseason draws closer.
  • [May 2026]: Vegas and Carolina favorites with IIHF World Championships well underway.
  • [May 2026]: Vegas is on the verge of advancing to the Stanley Cup Final while Montreal and Carolina continue to battle.
  • [May 2026]: Carolina still waiting with Colorado on the verge of advancing all while Montreal and Vegas in longer series.

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Chris Wassel

Chris Wassel is a veteran sports writer, editor, and betting analyst with nearly three decades of experience covering sports, fantasy sports, and wagering. A longtime member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association (FSWA), the Fantasy Sports & Gaming Association (FSGA), and several sports betting communities, Chris has built a reputation for combining d...

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