As summer heats up, so does speculation about the NHL’s 2025-26 season and which team is best positioned to capture the Stanley Cup next June. With betting odds posted across major sportsbooks, several teams stand out as early front-runners. The field is competitive and features both perennial contenders and surging powerhouses. Central to these sports betting odds are each team’s major offseason maneuvers, tweaks to their core lineup, and the recent memory of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final, which left fans eager for a new chapter.
Last season’s Stanley Cup showdown saw the Florida Panthers secure their second consecutive title by defeating the Edmonton Oilers in six games. This capped off a year in which the Panthers’ depth and consistency wore down some of the league’s best. Edmonton, meanwhile, has come up short in two straight Finals against Florida, fueling ambitions to break through in 2026. Beyond these two rivals, other top franchises have retooled their rosters with hopes of tipping the balance of power in their favor.
Florida Panthers (+600/+700)
Florida opens as the consensus favorite to win a third straight championship, a feat not seen since the New York Islanders’ dynasty era in the early 1980s. After another productive offseason, the core group remains virtually intact, highlighted by the re-signing of Sam Bennett, Brad Marchand, and Aaron Ekblad—three key players headed for free agency but elected to stay. The only significant roster change was a blueline shuffle: Jeff Petry joins the team, replacing Nate Schmidt. The Panthers’ relentless forechecking and balanced scoring saw them lead the postseason in games with five-plus goals last year. The core and continuity in coaching and the front office make Florida formidable amid pressure for a historic three-peat attempt.
Florida has also prioritized continuity in their development pipeline, integrating prospects like Michael Benning and Mackie Samoskevich, who are expected to play larger roles in 2026. The Panthers’ defense allowed the fewest goals per game over two consecutive regular seasons, and their disciplined penalty kill ranked in the top three league-wide last postseason. The commitment to maintaining roster and leadership stability signals the franchise’s confidence in its championship formula.
Edmonton Oilers (+650/+700)
After falling to Florida for two seasons in a row, the Oilers remain close behind the Panthers in future odds, determined by a sense of unfinished business. Edmonton’s elite core, featuring Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, returns, and the team moved quickly in the offseason to address defensive depth, a key issue in their Finals defeats. The Oilers didn’t land a major veteran defender in free agency, but will have Jake Walman, acquired from San Jose in 2025 for the entire season, and secured top-four blue-liner Evan Bouchard to a long-term deal, stabilizing their back end. The front office also sought experienced bottom-six forwards to increase secondary scoring and support the superstars in high-pressure playoff scenarios.
Analytically driven roster moves brought in specialists for penalty killing and faceoff circle—two playoff weak spots in recent years. Goaltender Stuart Skinner developed into a steadying postseason presence, posting a .919 save percentage in the 2025 playoffs, and Edmonton led the league in power play conversion across the entire season. Off the ice, organizational investment in skills development is accelerating the progression of younger players, increasing overall lineup depth.
Vegas Golden Knights (+850)
After perhaps the most headline-grabbing move of the offseason, Vegas has re-emerged as a contender. The Golden Knights traded for and signed Mitch Marner, adding one of the league’s premier playmaking wingers to a group already featuring Jack Eichel and Tomas Hertl. Marner’s arrival addresses a persistent need on the wing, providing new depth and creativity up front. Despite the departure of defenseman Alex Pietrangelo, Vegas’s playoff track record, balanced scoring, and depth in goal keep them in the title conversation.
Beyond marquee trades, the Knights secured depth forwards and a reliable backup goalie to insulate their veteran stars from injury over the grind of a long regular season. Vegas’s T-Mobile Arena reputation as one of the league’s toughest home environments continued in 2024-25; the Knights posted a 27-10-4 mark in front of their crowd. Their physical, punishing style is a known playoff asset, and the addition of Marner’s finesse injects a fresh tactical element that opponents must adapt to.
Carolina Hurricanes (+850/+900)
Thanks to one of hockey’s top possession games and disciplined defense, Carolina continues to be a statistical darling. The Hurricanes landed winger Nikolaj Ehlers in free agency this summer, whose speed and shooting ability add dimension to a forward corps led by Sebastian Aho and Andrei Svechnikov. Internal growth from emerging forwards and young defensemen offers the coaching staff valuable flexibility as the team seeks to take the next step. The Hurricanes’ goaltending group remains stable, and after falling to Florida in last season’s Eastern Conference Finals, hopes are high that these improvements will finally propel Carolina over the playoff hump.
Carolina’s player development system produces multiple young defensemen ready to compete for roster spots, giving coach Rod Brind’Amour flexibility in assembling his lineup. Under Brind’Amour’s high-structure, conditioning-focused approach, Carolina has consistently ranked as one of the league’s best third-period teams, often wearing down opponents late. Ehlers also fits Carolina’s aggressive forecheck style, which led the NHL in 5-on-5 shots per game last season.
Colorado Avalanche (+900)
The Avalanche rounds out the top five, equipped with star power and a reestablished lineup heading into October. Captain Gabriel Landeskog, absent through injury during pivotal stretches, will return at full strength for the first time since 2021. Alongside him, Valeri Nichushkin is set for a healthy campaign after missing playoff time. Colorado upgraded their goaltending by bringing in Mackenzie Blackwood to join Scott Wedgewood for steadier performance in net. After winning the Cup in 2022 and dealing with two years of injury-driven churn, the Avalanche retains the firepower and postseason experience to make another deep run.
Colorado’s speed and quick transition remain among the league’s best weapons, creating mismatches and opportunities in all zones. The leadership, headed by Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar, drives a competitive culture emphasizing depth scoring and responsible two-way play. Their power play hovered near 25% last season, powered by the anticipated chemistry between Landeskog, MacKinnon, and Mikko Rantanen—an advantage that could be even more pronounced this year. Top prospect Calum Ritchie is among those expected to contribute, helping guard against the injury risks that have plagued Colorado in the recent past.
The Final Period
With last year’s Panthers-Oilers Final still fresh, both teams top the odds board again, but the competition is stiffer. Major offseason moves by Vegas, Carolina, and Colorado mean more variables and fewer guarantees. Health, chemistry, and unforeseen developments will all shape the race to the Stanley Cup as the 2026 campaign unfolds, leaving the door open for either a new champion or confirmation of the current order.