Sports

2025-26 NHL Season: Stanley Cup Favorites and Longshots

by
Marcus Williams
September 30, 2025

new road uniforms for the Carolina Hurricanes

The 2025-26 NHL season is just around the corner, and sportsbooks have released early lines for the Stanley Cup futures market. With a handful of clear favorites but plenty of longshot intrigue, this season’s betting landscape looks to be one of the most competitive in recent memory.

Top Contenders

NHL sportsbooks have installed co-favorites at the top: the Carolina Hurricanes (+750) and Edmonton Oilers (+750). Carolina appears to be one of the most well-balanced teams in the league, blending a deep defensive core with enough scoring up front to contend in the East. Edmonton, meanwhile, remains powered by superstar firepower, led by Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, and will again try to exorcise its playoff demons.

Right behind them sit the Tampa Bay Lightning (+800), a team consistently viewed as championship-ready thanks to veteran leadership and playoff-tested experience. The Vegas Golden Knights (+825) and Colorado Avalanche (+900) round out the leading group of frontrunners. Vegas, just two seasons removed from a Cup win, is looking to reload around Jack Eichel, while Colorado is banking on a bounce-back effort from Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar to reclaim their 2022 title form.

The Florida Panthers (+900) and Dallas Stars (+1000) can’t be ignored either. Florida has been a postseason powerhouse in each of the past three years, while Dallas boasts a mix of proven veterans and rising young stars. Both teams present substantial value for bettors looking beyond the absolute top favorites.

Tier of Dark Horses

The middle of the board is where risk-takers might find appealing value. The New Jersey Devils (+1500) and Toronto Maple Leafs (+1800) represent strong offensive teams, but questions linger in goal and defense. Toronto, in particular, consistently attracts significant public attention, but whether this will finally be its year remains an open question.

Teams like the Los Angeles Kings (+2200) and Winnipeg Jets (+2800) are viewed as tier-two playoff contenders capable of making a run if key players catch fire at the right time. The New York Rangers (+3300) and Washington Capitals (+3300) also offer appealing prices for bettors who believe veteran cores can summon one last push.

Longshots and Wildcards

The surprise entry this year is the Utah Mammoth with +5000 moneyline odds. Utah will pay out at 50-to-1 on Stanley Cup bets placed right now if they go all the way. Other longshots, such as the Montreal Canadiens (+5000) or St. Louis Blues (+5000), could be intriguing if their young talent matures quickly.

Going even deeper down the board, fan bases in Nashville (+7500), Vancouver (+7500), and Columbus (+8500) may dream of a Cinderella story, though sportsbooks are signaling skepticism. The real longshots, like the Chicago Blackhawks (+50000) and San Jose Sharks (+50000), are in full rebuilding mode and unlikely to surprise.

Betting Outlook

While Carolina and Edmonton stand at the forefront, the parity of the NHL makes significant upsets commonplace. Bettors will need to weigh the proven track records of powerhouse teams against the enticing payouts of squads like Dallas or New Jersey. For fans, that uncertainty promises one thing: another thrilling NHL season where almost anything feels possible.

Below are the latest preseason Stanley Cup betting futures with moneyline odds offered on all 32 franchises.