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- What? NHL: 2026 Stanley Cup
- Where? USA and Canada
- When? October 2025 – June 2026
ChatGPT said:
The opening week of the 2025 NHL free agency period has wrapped up, with the majority of major signings already finalized. While a handful of unresolved situations remain for teams to address over the coming months, the most impactful moves appear to be in the rearview.
The best NHL betting online sites have unveiled their futures markets for the 2026 Stanley Cup. The Florida Panthers leading the pack at +600. Trailing closely are the Edmonton Oilers at +750 and the Carolina Hurricanes at +825. These two teams clashed in this year’s championship series. Despite Carolina’s struggles to get over the hump in the playoffs, their consistent excellence during the regular season has solidified their status as a legitimate title threat. As for the reigning champs, bold offseason additions like the acquisition of Brad Marchand have helped cement their position as early favorites.
| Stanley Cup |  |  |  |
| Florida Panthers | +600 | +600 | +600 |
| Edmonton Oilers | +750 | +700 | +700 |
| Carolina Hurricanes | +825 | +750 | +750 |
| Colorado Avalanche | +900 | +900 | +900 |
| Vegas Golden Knights | +900 | +1000 | +1000 |
| Dallas Stars | +1000 | +900 | +900 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | +1500 | +1600 | +1600 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | +1500 | +1800 | +1800 |
| Los Angeles Kings | +2000 | +2000 | +2000 |
| New Jersey Devils | +2000 | +1800 | +1800 |
| Winnipeg Jets | +2500 | +2200 | +2200 |
| New York Rangers | +2800 | +3300 | +3300 |
| Washington Capitals | +2800 | +2800 | +2800 |
| Ottawa Senators | +3300 | +3300 | +3300 |
| Minnesota Wild | +4000 | +3300 | +3300 |
| St. Louis Blues | +4000 | +4500 | +4500 |
| Utah Mammoth | +4000 | +3500 | +3500 |
| Montreal Canadiens | +5000 | +6000 | +6000 |
| Vancouver Canucks | +6000 | +6000 | +6000 |
| Columbus Blue Jackets | +7500 | +7500 | +7500 |
| Nashville Predators | +7500 | +8000 | +8000 |
| Anaheim Ducks | +10000 | +12500 | +12500 |
| Boston Bruins | +10000 | +10000 | +10000 |
| Buffalo Sabres | +10000 | +10000 | +10000 |
| Calgary Flames | +10000 | +8000 | +8000 |
| Detroit Red Wings | +10000 | +8000 | +8000 |
| New York Islanders | +10000 | +6600 | +6600 |
| Philadelphia Flyers | +10000 | +7500 | +7500 |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | +20000 | +15000 | +15000 |
| Seattle Kraken | +20000 | +20000 | +20000 |
| Chicago Blackhawks | +50000 | +30000 | +30000 |
| San Jose Sharks | +50000 | +50000 | +50000 |
Check out our Bet On Stanley Cup Online guide for all the information you need about betting on the Stanley Cup.
Florida Panthers (+600)
Florida enters the 2026 Stanley Cup race as the +600 favorite, and the reasoning is crystal clear. They emphatically steamrolled through the 2025 postseason. They averaged a blistering 4.09 goals per game while allowing just 2.44—a rare display of two-way dominance. With key players like Aaron Ekblad, Sam Bennett, and Brad Marchand choosing to stay put rather than hit the open market, the Panthers’ core remains intact for another championship push. According to GM Bill Zito, the decisions to re-sign were fueled by the players’ deep commitment to the team and their desire to build a lasting legacy. With continuity on their side and a legitimate shot at a third straight title, Florida looks like a sharp early futures pick.
Other Stanley Cup Contenders
If you don’t have faith in the Panthers, you could try a wager on one of the following:
Edmonton Oilers (+750)
The Edmonton Oilers have made back-to-back Stanley Cup Final appearances—both ending in defeat at the hands of the Panthers. They currently have the second-best odds to win the 2026 Cup. Their offseason has been relatively quiet, highlighted more by the departure of Corey Perry than any major additions. This casts some doubt on their chances of making a third straight run to the Final.
That said, with Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid still anchoring one of the league’s most explosive offenses, and Zach Hyman expected to return at full strength, their position near the top of the odds board isn’t entirely unjustified.
Carolina Hurricanes (+825)
Oddsmakers have a soft spot for consistency, and few teams embody that more than the Hurricanes. They’ve been a fixture among the top Stanley Cup contenders for several years. Not only do they routinely get past the opening round, they’re built on a foundation of strong analytics, disciplined structure, and regular appearances in the Eastern Conference Final.
Sure, they’ve managed just one ECF win since 2006, but that hasn’t shaken confidence in their potential. With key offseason moves like signing Nikolaj Ehlers and acquiring K’Andre Miller via trade, Carolina may finally have the extra firepower needed to turn all that promise into a legitimate title run.
Colorado Avalanche (+900)
It’s been three seasons since Colorado hoisted the Stanley Cup. While they’ve remained contenders, this offseason brought some tough choices. A tight salary cap forced the Avalanche to part ways with Mikko Rantanen and several other important pieces in free agency. Even so, with stars like Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar still leading the charge, Colorado remains a dangerous team that can never be counted out.
Vegas Golden Knights (+1000)
The Golden Knights made the biggest splash of the offseason. They landed Mitch Marner—the only player with over 100 points available in free agency and one of the league’s premier wingers over the past several years. His arrival fills a critical need on the wing. It’s no shock that Vegas is once again being talked about as a serious Stanley Cup contender.
How To Bet On The Stanley Cup
Placing a futures wager on the 2025 Stanley Cup is easy through any top sportsbook. Head to the NHL section and look for the tab labeled “futures.” The Stanley Cup odds are usually featured prominently. If you’re new to betting or weighing your options, feel free to check out our How To Bet On Hockey Online guide for helpful insights and strategies.
Stanley Cup futures are posted well before the regular season begins. Perennial powerhouses and defending champions often lead the odds. Sportsbooks set these lines based on a mix of factors. These include offseason trades and signings, coaching shifts, and how each team performed in the previous campaign.
Sports Betting Sites 