The NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has been teasing us fans with some interesting news over these last few weeks. As we all anxiously await a finalized and confirmed start to the 104th season, we are primed for news about how it will all work. Bettman knew that and has planned this perfectly to create all the buzz he could.
And this is big news indeed. The announcement of a new all-Canada division in the NHL would be a milestone in the league’s history. Even if it is as yet unconfirmed, we are bullish on its probabilities. This would be a golden opportunity snatched from the jaws of disaster. Let’s take a look at what this would be like and how fans can make the most out of an uncertain, upcoming hockey season.
The best way to handle this much uncertainty in an upcoming sports betting season is to find trusted sources for the odds. This will help you make the best NHL bets with regards to the division that will be new for everyone.
Finding the best sportsbook for the Canadian division will likely be very similar to the best sites for NHL betting. Once you have your NHL betting site, you will likely not need a separate one for the Canadian division, though having more than one is always recommended, so you can compare odds and make sure to get the best deal. This is especially important during times of upheaval and change.
The new division is sure to have a lot of fierce competition. Hockey is of course huge in Canada, so it makes sense that this is the first major sports league to have an all-Canada division within the North American league.
Right now, it is anybody’s guess who will come out on top of the new division. We only know that all eyes will be laser-focused there and that new betting opportunities will emerge as a whole new division comes into play. It will set up new rivalries and new team combinations that we have not yet seen.
On the cusp of the opening of the year, the Toronto Maple Leafs look like the year’s likeliest team to lead the division. But they are followed closely by the Edmonton Oilers. The exact positioning of all the seven teams will vary by the sportsbook, of course.
The seven teams projected to be part of the Canadian division of the NHL:
Figuring out who will top this division is a good starting point for looking ahead to Stanley Cup betting as well. You will of course have to compare to other divisions as well. How the divisions will be rearranged is still unclear, as this will affect the competition for the Stanley Cup.
This big change to the league comes on the heels of the coronavirus pandemic and the changes we have made in order to mitigate its effects. The NHL has seen its bottom line affected with stadium capacity reduced or eliminated completely. Many jobs have been affected in order to keep everyone as safe as possible. The National Hockey League relies on tickets for about half of its revenue. Needless to say, they have had to make important adjustments to this new, shared reality.
In fact, the NHL is taking this all so seriously that the announcement of the official start date has been delayed several times. The season originally scheduled for October 2020- April 2021 will likely start in January 2021. The league still maintains the goal of holding a full 82-game season. We can certainly hope for the best. With the vaccine on its way, we just might be able to squeeze it in.
The travel restrictions between the United States and Canada are what prompted the commissioner to suggest an all-Canada division. This way they will be more likely to be able to play each other without having to fear last-minute cancelations as much. The league is certainly doing everything it can to make sure this is an exciting and safe season.
With even the start of the season in flux, it can be hard for fans to know what to expect. When we make the format uncertain as well, we can begin to feel nervous, but here are some quick tips to make the most of it.
See below the top sportsbooks where you can wager online and choose the best one for you:
