Reviewing the Updated 2024 Stanley Cup Odds for Every NHL Team
The NHL has reached the sweet spot between the quarter pole and halfway.
And as such, the early season title-chase picture is beginning to fill in.
Some expected contenders are off to good starts, some would-be doormats have climbed the relevance ladder, and some teams thought to be legitimate commodities have yet to show the reasons for rampant preseason optimism.
Which means it's as good a time as any to reconfigure expectations.
The fine folks at DraftKings have issued a new set of betting odds to win the Stanley Cup next June and the B/R hockey team has cordoned the list into tiers ranging from would-be lottery contenders to would-be banner hoisters.
Take a look at what we came up with and drop a thought in the comments.
32. Chicago Blackhawks (+100000)
Connor Bedard appears to be everything he was billed prior to last summer's draft but even a transcendent teen can't raise the competitive dead beyond ping-pong ball hopes.
31. San Jose Sharks (+100000)
The Sharks got off to a historically bad start but have actually been respectable across the last month or so. That said, it probably won't result in anything near relevance.
30. Columbus Blue Jackets (+50000)
Losing a coach just before the outset of the regular season wasn't a good look and it can't be anything close to what Johnny Gaudreau was looking for as a free agent in 2022.
29. Anaheim Ducks (+30000)
The Ducks had a decent first half last season but they've been near the bottom of the league's barrel ever since. But hey, at least Trevor Zegras got a video game cover.
28. Montreal Canadiens (+20000)
The Canadiens are within an eyelash of a .500 points percentage through 29 games, which puts them several spots closer to the middle of the pack than the bottom. But no Cup.
27. Buffalo Sabres (+15000)
It was supposed to be better in Western New York this time around thanks to a bumper crop of young talent. But even a playoff race would be an improvement from a 12-15-3 start.
26. St. Louis Blues (+13000)
The Cup parade in the summer of 2019 suddenly seems like ages ago for a franchise that pulled the plug on its title-winning coach this week amid a four-game losing skid.
25. Arizona Coyotes (+12000)
The mere fact that the Coyotes are at .500 through 28 games and seem capable of staying there is a strong turnaround for what's normal in the southwest. That'll have to be enough.
24. Seattle Kraken (+12000)
It's been a long plummet back toward lousy for the third-year Kraken, who spiked to 100 points last season but have gotten off to a 9-14-7 start through 30 games. Normalcy bites.
23. Calgary Flames (+9000)
Speaking of plummets, the Flames continue to spiral from a Pacific title in 2021-22 to a playoff miss last season and a 25th overall standing this fall. Maybe Brad Treliving was right.
22. Washington Capitals (+8000)
Alex Ovechkin's pursuit of Wayne Gretzky hasn't gained much traction this season but the Caps are playing well, and if the "Great 8" catches fire maybe they'll graduate to relevance.
21. Nashville Predators (+8000)
Coach-turned-GM Barry Trotz promised an entertaining brand of hockey on his watch and they're delivering to the tune of what would be a playoff spot, but probably not much more.
20. Ottawa Senators (+8000)
The standings show the Senators at the bottom of the Eastern Conference but they're just a game under .500 and might have the stuff to at least deserve dark horse status in due time.
19. Philadelphia Flyers (+7500)
Coach John Tortorella has a track record of quick turnarounds across his NHL stops and the Flyers are no different. The Cup isn't Philly bound, but they're better than they've been.
18. Minnesota Wild (+7000)
The Wild have been a playoff team in 10 of the last 11 seasons and warrant at least somewhat narrower odds than others, but a 10-12-4 start doesn't inspire a whole lot of confidence.
17. Detroit Red Wings (+6000)
When's the parade, Stevie Yzerman? The Motor City turns its Cup-starved eyes to you. Actually, the GM's approval rating will skyrocket even if a mere playoff berth is the result.
16. New York Islanders (+5000)
The Islanders have four 20-point scorers through 28 games and a .625 points percentage, so they're certainly better. But it'll take a scalding hot goalie in the spring to make it matter.
15. Pittsburgh Penguins (+4000)
The Penguins have been wildly inconsistent this fall but any roster with Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Erik Karlsson has a chance to be a tough out in the postseason.
14. Vancouver Canucks (+3000)
Eager to find a longshot? The Canucks may be the first in the field worth taking a flyer. Rick Tocchet has been magic behind the bench since replacing Bruce Boudreau last season.
13. Tampa Bay Lightning (+2200)
One team's worth a risky bet, the next probably belongs further away from the favorite's position. Coach Jon Cooper's bunch has title-winning muscle memory but little else.
12. Winnipeg Jets (+2000)
The franchise seemed certain to lose both goalie Connor Hellebuyck and forward Mark Scheifele, but now that they're lock up who knows? Still, Kyle Connor's injury doesn't help.
11. Florida Panthers (+1600)
The Panthers were 30-to-1 to win the Cup at the outset of last season's playoffs before toppling Boston and two others on the way to the brink of a title. Fool us twice? No thanks.
10. New Jersey Devils (+1600)
The Devils were the story of the league last season when they climbed from the lower tier to the upper tier. This year's start was slow but they're starting to look like what was expected.
9. Edmonton Oilers (+1400)
Like the Devils the Oilers also started slow, costing Jay Woodcroft his job and Jack Campbell his spot in the NHL. But eight straight wins into Thursday are indicative of a true title threat.
8. Los Angeles Kings (+1300)
Edmonton has ended L.A.'s run for two straight seasons but the Kings of the West Coast look more threatening this time, particularly because of their superiority on opposition ice.
7. Carolina Hurricanes (+1200)
The Hurricanes have been a playoff flop for the last few seasons and the hangover carried over to the early season this year. It'd be a surprise if they don't contend, though.
6. Toronto Maple Leafs (+1200)
The Maple Leafs are loaded with talent. And they may have found a goalie, too, in Joseph Woll. If they're able to get to the final four this year, Toronto may just burst from excitement.
5. Dallas Stars (+1000)
The Stars have all the ingredients necessary for deep contention. Solid goaltending. Balanced scoring. Proven coaching. They'll be a factor come April and beyond.
4. Vegas Golden Knights (+800)
The Golden Knights obviously know the way to the mountaintop. And a 20-5-5 start to the follow-up season surely makes them a legitimate for a second repeat champ in three years.
3. Boston Bruins (+750)
OK, maybe they'll get it done this time. The Bruins went on a record-setting tear through the 2022-23 schedule before flopping against Florida. But they're still very good all around.
2. Colorado Avalanche (+750)
The Avalanche seemed a good bet for a repeat title at this time last year before injuries and bad luck ultimately won out. But like Boston, they're still loaded and again hungry.
1. New York Rangers (+750)
GM Chris Drury went all in at last season's trade deadline by acquiring Patrick Kane and Vladimir Tarasenko. It didn't work out but the longer-term talent is still entrenched.
