Gambling site gives odds on NHL games starting again this season

As everyone is aware by now, the NHL has suspended play as North America attempts to "flatten the curve" when it comes to the spread of COVID-19. How likely it is that the season restarts at some point, whether the regular season and/or the playoffs, depends on who you ask. With little else to bet on with every professional league either under suspension or flat out cancelled, gambling site Bet-Online has given the odds for the return of NHL action at some point before next season. 

According to an article by the National Post, here are the odds for betting on which league will return first. 

MLB                             7/4

NHL                              9/5

NBA                             5/2

Major League Soccer    4/1

Odds of 9/5 mean that if you bet five dollars on the NHL to be back first, you will get a pay out of nine dollars in return, Bet-Online spokesperson Jimmy Shapiro said. 

As for whether the NHL will resume play before the start of June 1st, Bet-Online has the following odds: 

Yes      +300     (3/1)

No        -500     (1/5)

Shapiro admits setting odds for something like this is difficult as there are no stats to go through and really no precedent to follow. 

“We’re looking at social media, Twitter, Instagram, reading the news, seeing what people are saying. We’re trying to keep on top of and obviously these odds will fluctuate quite a bit based on how people are betting it and what news comes out.

“It’s kind of chaotic doing this stuff with all the rumours that come out.”

With each passing day, it seems less likely the NHL will be resuming its regular season. There does seem to be hope for some kind of playoff tournament, though. What that will look like remains to be seen.