The early outlook for the 2026-27 NHL season is already taking shape, with several contenders separating themselves as Stanley Cup favorites. Fresh off their championship run, the Carolina Hurricanes sit at the top of the board, while perennial contenders like the Colorado Avalanche and Tampa Bay Lightning remain firmly in the mix.
According to odds released by Oxibet, the Hurricanes open as the team to beat at plus-600, followed closely by the Avalanche at plus-700. The Lightning and Edmonton Oilers round out the next tier, signaling a familiar group of contenders expected to drive the league’s championship race once again.
While much of the attention focuses on those top teams, the New York Rangers and several others sit further down the list, hoping offseason improvements can close the gap. With the NHL Draft set for June 26 and free agency opening July 1, movement in these odds is expected.
Hurricanes, Avalanche Set The Pace
Carolina enters the offseason with momentum after capturing the Stanley Cup, and the roster remains largely intact. Sebastian Aho continues to anchor the offense, while Andrei Svechnikov and Seth Jarvis provide scoring depth. On the blue line, Jaccob Slavin and Brent Burns give the Hurricanes a steady defensive foundation.
Colorado remains right behind them after winning the Presidents’ Trophy. The Avalanche is led by Nathan MacKinnon, who again produced at an elite level, and Cale Makar, one of the league’s top defensemen. Their speed and transition game continue to challenge opponents, and the core group is still in its prime.
Tampa Bay, listed at plus-1000, continues to find ways to stay competitive despite roster turnover in recent years. Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point remain key drivers offensively, while Andrei Vasilevskiy provides stability in net. The Oilers, at plus-1100, lean heavily on Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, whose production keeps Edmonton among the league’s most dangerous teams.
The next tier includes the Vegas Golden Knights, Florida Panthers, and Minnesota Wild, all sitting at plus-1300. Vegas returns after a run to the Final, while Florida and Minnesota both showed consistency during the regular season and have cores capable of deeper playoff pushes.
Middle Tier Teams Look To Close Gap
Beyond the top contenders, a group of teams sits in the middle tier with work to do this offseason. The Rangers are among them at plus-6000, ranking 22nd in the league and 12th in the Eastern Conference, according to current odds from Oxibet.
New York’s position reflects a disappointing 2025-26 season, but there are reasons for cautious optimism. Injuries played a major role in their struggles. Igor Shesterkin missed the final month before the Olympic break, and Adam Fox was sidelined for 27 games. During a critical stretch in January and early February, the Rangers went 2-10-0 when both players were out of the lineup, effectively ending their playoff hopes.
Even with those setbacks, the team showed flashes late in the season. Rookie Gabe Perreault emerged as a bright spot, finishing with 12 goals and 27 points in 40 games after his call-up from AHL Hartford. His production surged when he moved into a top-six role, recording nine goals and 10 assists over his final 23 games.
Elsewhere in the standings, teams like the Pittsburgh Penguins at plus-7500 and the New York Islanders, Boston Bruins, and Detroit Red Wings at plus-8000 face similar questions. Each has recognizable talent but lacks the depth or consistency of the top contenders.
Offseason Moves Will Shape The Field
The upcoming offseason will play a major role in reshaping the odds landscape. The Rangers, for example, hold two first-round picks, including the No. 5 selection, along with additional draft capital that could help replenish a thin prospect pool.
General manager Chris Drury also has financial flexibility, with roughly $26.6 million in cap space available. That creates opportunities to address scoring depth, an area that limited the team last season. Players such as Alex Tuch, Bobby McMann, and Mason Marchment could be among those available to boost the forward group.
Other teams near the top of the odds board may look to make more targeted moves. Carolina and Colorado are expected to focus on maintaining their cores while adding complementary pieces. Tampa Bay and Edmonton could look to reinforce depth, particularly on defense.
In the Western Conference, several teams near the bottom of the odds face longer rebuilds. The Vancouver Canucks, coming off a last-place finish, sit at plus-50000. Six Western teams are listed at plus-10000 or longer, highlighting the gap between contenders and rebuilding clubs.
With key dates approaching, including the draft and the opening of free agency, these odds remain fluid. Injuries, roster changes, and player development will all factor into how the landscape shifts before the puck drops on the 2026-27 season.
