Steve Starr
- Bovada’s NHL Free Agency Betting Props allow you to wager on what franchises sign available star players across the league
- Johnny Gaudreau (-195) is favored to re-sign with the Calgary Flames this summer
- Teams can sign unrestricted free agents (UFAs) beginning on July 13 at noon ET
Last week, we shared our 2022 NHL Draft Betting Picks. After hockey’s future stars come off the board in Montreal this Thursday and Friday, the league’s general managers will immediately turn their attention to NHL Free Agency.
Starting on Wednesday, July 13, big-time unrestricted free agents like Johnny Gaudreau, Filip Forsberg, Claude Giroux, Nazem Kadri and Evgeni Malkin will be available to the highest bidder. Before we look at where those players might land, here’s where you can find the top betting sites for NHL hockey in 2022 and also our guide to NHL draft betting..
Johnny Gaudreau’s next team
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| Calgary Flames | -195 |
| New Jersey Devils | +325 |
| Philadelphia Flyers | +350 |
| New York Islanders | +650 |
| Nashville Predators | +1200 |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | +1200 |
Flames fans should be worried
Johnny Gaudreau’s favored to stay with the Flames (-195) following a Hart Trophy-quality year with a career-high 115 points (40 G, 75 A). However, hockey insiders say the 28-year-old left winger remains undecided, and his camp has not communicated his intentions to Calgary either way.
Chatter has connected the South Jersey native to the Flyers (+350) for years, but Philadelphia’s lack of financial flexibility makes New Jersey (+325) a more realistic option. The Devils have $56 million in cap space in 2023. With eight consecutive playoff appearances, the Nashville Predators (+1200) offer a quality organization in a fun city. “Johnny Hockey” could also team up with Sidney Crosby in Pittsburgh (+1200) if the Penguins move on from Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang.
Johnny Gaudreau's 111 adjusted points during the 2021-22 season were the most in a single season in @NHLFlames history.
Gaudreau had a historic year for Calgary, becoming the franchise's first 100-point scorer since 1993. #Flames pic.twitter.com/QpwH2BYR6X
— Hockey Reference (@hockey_ref) June 30, 2022
Evgeni Malkin’s next team
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| Pittsburgh Penguins | -300 |
| Carolina Hurricanes | +750 |
| New Jersey Devils | +750 |
| Colorado Avalanche | +800 |
| Los Angeles Kings | +850 |
| New York Islanders | +850 |
| Boston Bruins | +950 |
Where will Geno go?
Evgeni Malkin is heavy chalk to stay in Pittsburgh (-300) where he’s won three Stanley Cups in 16 seasons with the organization. But, numerous agents have reportedly told The Athletic that Penguins general manager Ron Hextall will prioritize signing defenseman Kris Letang, who is -250 to stay in the Steel City.
The 35-year-old center has seemed willing to take a pay cut, but it’s always possible he ends up on another contender like Carolina (+750) or Colorado (+800), or even sunny Los Angeles (+850). And, how about forming a deadly Russian connection with Alex Ovechkin on the Capitals?
Nazem Kadri’s next team
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| Colorado Avalanche | +100 |
| Washington Capitals | +300 |
| New Jersey Devils | +550 |
| New York Islanders | +550 |
| Seattle Kraken | +600 |
| Philadelphia Flyers | +850 |
| Ottawa Senators | +900 |
Staying with the champs?
Nazem Kadri may have priced himself out of Colorado (+100) with an incredible playoff run with the Cup champs. If the 31-year-old center wants $8 to 9 million per season, the Avalanche could try to go a cheaper route at center (the aforementioned Malkin or Claude Giroux). The Capitals (+300) are also rumored to have interest in Kadri after center Nicklas Backstrom underwent hip surgery.
Nazem Kadri ladies and gents.
I asked him if someone gave this shirt to him, and he said he had it made.
Baller. #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/4oyJrVV0du
— Rachel Tos (@RachRichlinski) June 30, 2022
Claude Giroux’s next team
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| Florida Panthers | -140 |
| Ottawa Senators | +140 |
| Carolina Hurricanes | +850 |
| Colorado Avalanche | +1100 |
| Calgary Flames | +1200 |
| New York Islanders | +1200 |
| Dallas Stars | +1400 |
Best Bets
Claude Giroux is expected to resign with the cap-strapped Florida Panthers (-140) or return to his hometown of Ottawa (+140). But, don’t sleep on the Avalanche at +1100. If the 34-year-old wants to chase a ring, he’d be an affordable and productive replacement for Kadri at center ice.
Claude Giroux – Colorado (+1100)
Nazem Kadri – Philadelphia (+850)
Evgeni Malkin – Washington (N/A)
Johnny Gaudreau – New Jersey (+325) or Pittsburgh (+1200)
See below the top sportsbooks where you can wager online and choose the best one for you:
