NHL futures bets are long-term wagers — Stanley Cup winner odds, Presidents' Trophy odds, conference champion picks — placed well before the outcome is decided. A futures parlay chains two or more of those long-term bets onto a single ticket. Every leg must hit. Miss one, you lose the whole thing. That's the deal, same as any parlay. If you're new to the mechanics, start with What Is a Parlay Bet? NHL Hockey Edition before going further.

How did futures parlays become legal in the US?

Before May 2018, only Nevada could legally offer single-game sports betting to the general public. PASPA — the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act — blocked every other state. The US Supreme Court overturned PASPA in 2018, opening the door to state-by-state legalization. As of August 2026, sports betting is legal in 39 states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico, and parlay wagering is permitted in every state that has legalized sports betting at all. That said, operators are not available in all states; you may only wager with an operator licensed in the state where you are physically located at the time of the bet. Check Where Is NHL Parlay Betting Legal in the US in 2026? to confirm your state's status before depositing anything.

What does an NHL futures parlay actually pay?

Parlay payouts are calculated by multiplying the decimal odds of each leg together. The more legs you add — or the longer the odds on each leg — the bigger the potential return. Here's how dramatic it can get: a $5 four-sport parlay correctly picking the 2024 champions in the NBA, NHL, MLB, and NFL paid out at +171260 odds, turning $5 into $8,563. That is an extreme case, but it shows the math. A futures parlay on Stanley Cup and conference winners at long odds can produce similar multipliers. Use the NHL Parlay Calculator: How to Estimate Your Payout to model your specific ticket before placing it.

Who should consider NHL futures parlays — and who shouldn't?

Futures parlays suit bettors who are comfortable with their money being tied up for weeks or months and who have strong convictions about multiple outcomes. They are not for bettors who want quick resolution or need liquidity. Heavy-favorite futures parlays pay significantly less because per-leg risk is lower, while underdog combinations can return life-changing multiples — but the probability of hitting drops sharply with every added leg. No parlay, expert projection, or historical trend guarantees a winning outcome.

What should I watch out for before parlaying futures bets?

  • All legs must win — one bad pick unwinds the entire ticket.
  • Your stake is locked until all futures outcomes are settled, which can take an entire season.
  • Parlay boost and insurance promotions may carry wagering requirements that limit withdrawal of promotional winnings; read the terms before opting in.
  • Always verify a sportsbook's license through your state's official gaming regulator site, not a third-party badge.

For a broader overview of how hockey betting works from the ground up, visit NHL Betting Explained. 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.