With the 2024-25 NHL season just weeks away, bettors are already sizing up the teams that have the best shot at winning the Stanley Cup. It seems like yesterday when Florida was hoisting the cup over their heads, but here we are again.
The futures odds are set, and it's always an interesting exercise to dig into each of the teams before the puck drops.
There are plenty of factors to consider, from offseason moves to team dynamics. So, placing a futures bet is just a bit more than throwing money at a random team with good odds.
The Edmonton Oilers lead the NHL futures odds with +850 to win the Stanley Cup. This comes as no surprise to us.
The Oilers have an absolutely stacked roster, led yet again by Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. These are two of the best players in the NHL.
Last season, they came extremely close to winning the Cup, only losing in Game 7 of the Finals to the Florida Panthers. It was heartbreaking, but that’s the NHL.
Their offseason was somewhat productive, retaining key pieces like Adam Henrique, and Corey Perry, and re-signing important free agents. They’ve held the core of the team together.
The biggest question for Edmonton is goaltending.
Stuart Skinner is now their undisputed No. 1 goalie after an impressive 2023-24 campaign. If he can pick up where he left off, Edmonton has everything it takes to go all the way. The Oilers’ odds have already shortened from +1000 to +850, highlighting the fact that many bettors still believe in their potential.
Given how loaded their offense is, these odds seem about right.
Verdict: Right on the money. The Oilers have the talent and motivation to return to the Finals, and Skinner’s performance in the net will be critical. At +850, they’re a solid bet.
The Florida Panthers are sitting at +1000, which feels about right for the defending Stanley Cup champs.
They’ve been through a grueling two-year stretch, playing more games than any other NHL team in that span. They just happen to make it to the Stanley Cup finals more than other teams — you won’t hear them complaining.
Despite this, Florida still boasts one of the most dynamic rosters in the league, headlined by Matthew Tkachuk and Aleksander Barkov.
Their main concern is their defense.
They lost Brandon Montour and Oliver Ekman-Larsson in the offseason, and it remains to be seen whether their replacements, Nate Schmidt and Adam Boqvist, can fill those holes. They’re some serious players, but can they mesh like the others?
Verdict: A little short. The Panthers are undoubtedly contenders. However, given their offseason losses, we think +1000 seems a bit short. However, it’s hard to bet against a team that just won the Cup, so they’re not a bad option either.
At +1100, the Dallas Stars is an interesting option that deserves a look.
Last season, they were one of the best regular-season teams, finishing first in the Central Division and making a deep playoff run before falling short in the Western Conference Finals.
They’re led by a solid core of Jason Robertson, Roope Hintz, and the emerging Wyatt Johnston, who’s expected to take on a bigger role this season.
Dallas has an elite offense and a strong defense. However, the key for them will be their special teams. Their power play was among the league’s best last season, and their penalty kill was also in the top 10. If they can keep those units clicking, the Stars have a great shot at the Cup.
Verdict: Good value. At +1100, the Stars offer some decent value. They’ve got the talent and depth to make another deep run, and with their top players entering their primes, this could be their year. If the ST picks up where it left off, we’d consider this excellent value.
The Colorado Avalanche come in at +1300, which feels a bit long for a team that’s only two years removed from winning the Stanley Cup, but odd things happen in the offseason.
They still have one of the league’s best players in Nathan MacKinnon, who’s coming off a career-best season. But the key storyline for the Avalanche this year is the return of captain Gabriel Landeskog, who hasn’t played since their 2022 Cup win due to injuries. If Landeskog can return and get somewhat close to where he left off, Colorado could quickly vault back into top-tier contention for the Stanley Cup.
However, their defense was rather shaky last season, and goaltending remains a leftover question mark. Alexandar Georgiev was inconsistent, and the Avalanche gave up more goals than any other Western Conference playoff team last season.
If they can tighten up defensively, their offense will be good enough to carry them far.
Verdict: Great value. At +1300, the Avalanche are a bit undervalued. If Landeskog returns to his past self and they shore up their defense, this is a team that could easily win another Cup.
The Carolina Hurricanes are listed at +1400, which seems pretty generous for a team that has been one of the most consistent performers over the last few seasons.
They have a deep roster and one of the best coaches in the NHL in Rod Brind’Amour. While they did lose a few key players in the offseason, their defense remains as strong as ever, and their goalie tandem of Frederik Andersen and Pyotr Kochetkov should keep them competitive. We’re not seeing any holes on that side of the puck.
The Hurricanes’ main challenge will be finding enough scoring depth after losing forwards like Jake Guentzel and Teuvo Teravainen. But their defensive structure is excellent, and if they can get some contributions from newcomers like William Carrier and Jack Roslovic, they’ll be dangerous.
Verdict: Totally underrated. Carolina at +1400 is a steal. They’re a well-rounded team with a strong defensive core and solid goaltending. If their offense clicks, they could surprise a lot of people.
If you’re looking for the best value, the Colorado Avalanche at +1300 is the best bet out of the top 5 that we see.
Their odds are a bit longer than they should be for a team with this much firepower, and the return of Landeskog could push them over the top. Their defense is a concern, but if they can make improvements in that area, they have all the pieces to win it all and you can walk away with a fat stack of cash.
The Dallas Stars at +1100 are also a great option, given their depth and special teams strength. But for pure value, the Avalanche stands out.
The Stanley Cup futures market is always fluid, and as the season progresses, these odds will shift a bit. But as it stands, Colorado offers the best bang for your buck, while the Oilers and Stars are solid choices at slightly shorter odds. Keep an eye on Florida and Carolina, but maybe wait for their numbers to get longer before jumping in.