Big Trade Could Impact NHL Sports Betting. The first major trade of the NHL off-season took place on Thursday and it could impact sports betting odds next season. The Montreal Canadians traded goaltender Jaroslav Halak to the St. Louis Blues for two top prospects. Halak was a major force for the Canadians in the playoffs and he helped them win in Internet sports betting this past season.
Sports betting odds on the Canadians could take a bit of a hit with the loss of Halak. He was definitely their top goalie and now the Canadians will have to hope that Carey Price is up to the job. The Canadians received center Lars Eller and winger Ian Schultz in return for Halak. Eller was considered one off the Blues best prospects while Schultz was a third-round pick a couple of years ago. The Blues were thrilled to get Halak as he gives them a top notch goalie heading into next season.
Halak won a number of big games for Montreal vs. the Internet sports betting odds including Game 7 against Washington and Game 7 against Pittsburgh. He was simply brilliant against the Capitals as he stopped 131 of 134 shots as he pretty much single-handedly won that series for the Canadians. Halak proved that he was the goalie that could get the job done as Carey Price had not been the answer. Halak was 26-13-5 last season and he was fourth in the NHL in save percentage and ninth in goals against average. Sports betting stats indicated that he was tied for fifth with five shutouts.
The addition of Halak is huge for St. Louis. The Blues are a team that could be on the rise next season in sports betting and Halak gives them a goaltender who can backstop them to big wins. The Blues missed the playoffs last season but they have a lot of talent in place to change that next season.
The trade is somewhat puzzling from the perspective of Montreal. Eller played only seven games with the Blues last year as he scored two goals. He is definitely a top prospect but trading away a potential All-Star goalie for a prospect is unusual especially when you don’t have a proven goalie to take his place. The Blues could be on the way up next season in sports betting while the Canadians could be on the way down.