The Edmonton Oilers have the No. 1 pick for the third straight year, but there is plenty of talk that they will trade it.
Regardless of whether they keep it or trade it, the NHL Entry Draft odds on favorite to go No. 1 is Nail Yakupov. Online sportsbook Sportsbook has him as a huge favorite to end up in Edmonton at 1/7.
The Oilers are already stacked with young talent and could pursue a young defenseman. There are six terrific blueline prospects in the projected Top 10, meaning they can trade down and still get a great prospect.
If they stick at No. 1, oddsmakers expect Ryan Murray, an 11/2 underdog to be taken No. 1, to hear his name called. The odds on Edmonton peddling the pick would pay off at 7/1.
ADVERTISEMENT: Bet on the NHL draft and add some excitement to the first round Friday night - check out the latest at Sportsbook.
The Montreal Canadiens own the third pick and the favorite at Sportsbook is Alex Galchenyuk at 8/5. Montreal could also grab Russian center, Mikhail Grigorenko, pegged at 4/1 at Sportsbook.
Perennial losers, the Toronto Maple Leafs check in with the fifth overall pick. The favorite betting pick here is Filip Forsberg at 5/2. Several few mock drafts have unheralded Teuvo Teravainen landing in Toronto, a nice 9/1 payout for bettors if that happens.
Trades are also the focus of NHL draft odds. Rick Nash, James van Riemsdyk and Roberto Luongo are all rumoured trade bait. Sportsbook has Nash as a 3/2 underdog to be traded, JVR is a 3/1 underdog, while Luongo is a 3/1 dog.
Who will the Edmonton Oilers draft with the first overall pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft?
Nail Yakupov 1/7
Ryan Murray 11/2
Trade Pick 7/1
Who will the Montreal Canadiens draft with the third overall pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft?
Alex Galchenyuk 8/5
Filip Forsberg 4/1
Mikhail Grigorenko 4/1
Ryan Murray 13/2
Any Other Player 7/1
Trade Pick 8/1
Who will the Toronto Maple Leafs draft with the fifth overall pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft?
Filip Forsberg 5/2
Mikhail Grigorenko 9/2
Alex Galchenyuk 9/2
Griffin Reinhart 9/1
Teuvo Teravainen 9/1
Jacob Trouba 9/1
Any Other Player 13/2
Trade Pick 7/1
Will the Columbus Blue Jackets trade Rick Nash before the end of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft?
Yes 3/2
No 1/2
Will the Philadelphia Flyers trade James van Riemsdyk before the end of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft?
Yes 3/1
No 1/5
Will the Vancouver Canucks trade Roberto Luongo before the end of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft?
Yes 3/1
No 1/5
Will the Pittsburgh Penguins trade Jordan Staal before the end of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft?
Yes 5/1
No 1/8
How many players from the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) will be drafted in the 1st Round?
Over / Under 11
How many players from the Western Hockey League (WHL) will be drafted in the 1st Round?
Over / Under 6
How many players from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMHL) will be drafted in the 1st Round?
Over / Under 1.5
How many players from the USA Hockey's National Team Development Program will be drafted in the 1st Round?
Over / Under 3
How many Forwards will be drafted in the 1st Round?
Over / Under 15.5
How many Defensemen will be drafted in the 1st Round?
Over / Under 12.5
Will the NHL take over the New Jersey Devils before the start of the 2012-2013 NHL Season?
Yes 3/2
No 1/2
