Slafkovsky And Wright Neck And Neck In NHL Draft Odds

The hype train surrounding top European prospect Juraj Slafkovsky continues to pick up speed but the oddsmakers still (barely), favour top North American prospect Shane Wright to be selected first overall at the 2022 NHL Entry Draft a week from Thursday.

Per our friends at Betonline.ag, Wright is now a slim favourite over Slafkovsky despite recent ranking putting the Slovakian prospect ahead of Wright in NHL Draft odds.

On June 1, Shane Wright was a heavy favourite at -1150 and Slafkovsky came in at +1000. Meanwhile Cooley has stayed relatively the same after being at +1700 three weeks ago. The tight odds down the stretch with a week to go, are likely a result of NHL Draft insiders like TSN’s Bob McKenzie flip-flopping Wright and Slafkovsky in his final NHL Draft rankings. However, while McKenzie’s latest and final rankings nine days ahead of the NHL Draft caused a stir, he stressed that Wright and Slafkovsky are neck and neck and either could go first overall to the Montreal Canadiens.

“It’s by the slimmest of margins over Shane Wright,” said McKenzie to justify putting the power forward at No.1 over Wright. “Five of ten scouts surveyed by TSN have the 6’4, Slovak scoring winger at No.1, while four scouts opted for the Canadian, two-way center in Wright. It’s tight though, very, very tight. I really do believe you could survey another ten scouts and get the 5-4 breakdown in Wright’s favour; it’s that close.”

Most of the scouts you talk to make mention of the fact that Slafkovsky is a bigger player. In international play, he showed more goal-scoring ability than Wright and the big Slovak did play a more assertive, physical and competitive game. Now, Wright is a better skater and has a more mature and complete, all-around game.”

So as the hype and excitement approach a crescendo leading into the NHL Draft next Thursday, like it is with McKenzie, who goes first overall is basically a coin flip as far as the oddsmakers.