Canadian Connection: Previewing the Top NHL Off-Season Additions Headed North of the Border
GMs around the NHL once again had a busy off-season and the Canadians team were no different. From Calgary’s major overhaul to a new goaltending duo in Toronto, here’s a look at the biggest off-season additions made by Canadian NHL teams.
Make sure to check out odds for all NHL games, props and futures betting.
Nazem Kadri – Calgary Flames
Nazem Kadri and Johnny Gaudreau were the top prizes in free agency this off-season so it’s only fitting Kadri replaces Gaudreau in Calgary. Kadri exploded offensively last season in Colorado, setting career-highs in points (87) and assists (59) in 71 games. He added another 15 points (7G, 8A) in 16 playoff games and ended the year by hoisting the Stanley Cup.
Cashing in on a monster contract with the Flames, Kadri’s point total is set at 64.5, while his goal total is set at 24.5. Those numbers may seem low for an 87-point player, but last year was more of an outlier for Kadri as his previous career-high was 61 points and he’s only scored above 24 goals three times. I like the Over at -118 for both points (64.5) and goals (24.5). Kadri will be surrounded by another talented team and he’ll get a lot of opportunity as the No. 1 or 2 centre option in Calgary.
2022/23 Flames Regular Season Player Props
Jonathan Huberdeau – Calgary Flames
Jonathan Huberdeau was reportedly shocked when he was traded from Florida to Calgary for Matthew Tkachuk, but he wasted no time in signing an eight-year contract extension with the Flames. Coming off career-highs in points (115), goals (30) and assists (85) in 81 games, Huberdeau’s surprise in understandable.
Huberdeau’s point total for the upcoming season is listed at 90.5, while his goal total is 28.5. The Quebec native has scored over 90 points just twice in his career and finished with more than 28 goals just twice as well. It’s a safe bet to take the Over at -118 on 90.5 points as Huberdeau will slot in on a strong top line with Elias Lindholm and Tyler Toffoli. The Under at -118 on 28.5 goals is the smarter bet as Huberdeau would need to come within one goal of matching his career-high to hit the Over.
2022/23 Flames Regular Season Player Props
Jack Campbell – Edmonton Oilers
After 2.5 seasons in Toronto, Jack Campbell traded conferences and headed West to Edmonton in the off-season. Campbell, who had a 31-9-0 record last year proved he’s ready to be a No. 1 goalie by setting career-highs in games played (49) and games started (47). He finished with a 2.64 goals-against average, .914 SV percentage and five shutouts and was named to the all star game for the first time in his career. At +3175 to win the Vezina Trophy this season, Campbell is a decent value bet, but probably not worth going all-in on.
2022/23 Oilers Regular Season Player Props
Matt Murray/Ilya Samsonov- Toronto Maple Leafs
After losing Campbell in free agency, the Maple Leafs completely revamped their goaltending by trading for Matt Murray and signing Ilya Samsonov in free agency. Murray is a two-time Stanley Cup champion with Pittsburgh, but his numbers were awful in two seasons with Ottawa. This is a massive gamble for Toronto. Last season Murray was 5-12-2 with a 3.05 GAA and .906 SV and was at one point demoted to the AHL. His save percentage for this season is listed at 909.5 on the NHL props. The Over at -109 is great value. Murray finished with a save percentage above .910 in three of five seasons with Pittsburgh and he’ll have a much better team playing in front of him this season.
Samsonov seems like a more reasonable gamble for the Leafs. He’s only beginning to come into his prime at 25-years-old and there were high expectations for his development just a few years ago. Samsonov had a 29-12-5 record last season, finishing with a 3.02 GAA, .896 SV and three shutouts. In the right situation Samsonov still has a shot at becoming a true No. 1 goalie in the NHL.
2022/23 Maple Leafs Regular Season Player Props
Kirby Dach/Sean Monahan – Montreal Canadiens
In the off-season Kirby Dach was traded from a basement dweller in the Western Conference, Chicago, to a basement dweller in the East, Montreal. Dach finished last year with just 26 points (9G, 17A) in 70 games, but at 21-years-old he still has a lot of potential. His season point total is listed at 35.5. The Under is attractive at +110, but head coach Martin St. Louis could help Dach blow past that number. Keep in mind Cole Caufield had seven points (1G, 7A) in his first 30 games last year, but when St. Louis was hired as had coach Caufield exploded offensively and finished the year with 23 goals, tied for second in rookie goal scoring. Over 35.5 points at -154 is the way to go for Dach.
After being traded from Calgary to Montreal in the off-season, this is a prove-it year for Sean Monahan. He’s dealt with major injuries over the last number of seasons and is reportedly playing without pain in his hip for the first time in four years. Here’s hoping the change of scenery does the former 30-goal scorer well.
2022/23 Canadiens Regular Season Player Props
Claude Giroux/Alex DeBrincat/Cam Talbot – Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators are one of the most improved teams in the NHL after an off-season that included signing veteran Claude Giroux in free agency and trading for winger Alex DeBrincat and goaltender Cam Talbot. Giroux put up 65 points (21G, 44A) in 75 games split between Philadelphia and Florida last year. The former Flyers captain’s point total for this season is set at 63.5, while his goal total is set at 21.5. Health will be the biggest factor for the 34-year-old as he hasn’t played a full season since 2018-19. I lean towards the Under at -118 for both points and goals with Giroux.
DeBrincat is a huge pickup for Ottawa. He’s a pure goalscorer and he’s already scored twice in two pre-season appearances. DeBrincat’s point total for the year is listed at 72.5 and his goal total is 37.5. I think he cruises past both those numbers. He put up 41 goals and 87 points in 82 games on a terrible Chicago team last year for his second career 40-goal season. Ottawa is by no means a Stanley Cup contender, but DeBrincat will still have a better core around him with the Senators.
It was a tough break for Talbot and the Senators when Ottawa announced the veteran goaltender would miss the first five to seven weeks of the regular season with an upper-body injury. Still, when Talbot does return, he provides a solid veteran presence in the crease. The 35-year-old has won 201 games in his NHL career with the Rangers, Oilers, Flyers, Flames and Wild. His career-high 42 wins during the 2016-17 season is an Oilers single-season franchise record.