Let's take a look at the latest NHL futures and 2024 Stanley Cup odds now that we approach the trade deadline and the homestretch to the 2024 hockey playoffs.
If you’re finding the time to jump into the NHL now that the NFL season is officially over, you've come to the right place. Even if you just need a little refresher, you’re welcome here too.
This is for the procrastinators – the ones who back in high school said, “I’ll start the book tomorrow,” and then all of a sudden, the entire class is reading Chapter 28 and there’s an exam on Monday.
If you’re like me, you’d be frantically searching for the SparkNotes on Sunday night and calling a few classmates begging them to get you up to speed.
Well, that’s what I did for all of you: I’m the classmate who's here to save the day.
The plot: Through 50 or so games this season, you can pretty much attribute any team's success or demise to one thing: goaltending. Few teams have stability in net and even fewer have stability that they can actually trust. Of the six head coaches that have already been fired this season, it’s fair to say the inability to “get a save” was the main reason for at least half of those decisions.
With the trade deadline rapidly approaching (March 8), goalie-curious contenders will be faced with a crucial decision: hope and pray that one of your guys gets hot, like the case of Stuart Skinner with the Edmonton Oilers – or pay the hefty price for a bonafide starter via trade, like New Jersey has tried to do in kicking the tires on Calgary netminder Jacob Markstrom.
Regardless, there’s still no guarantee it works out. Until then, here’s a snapshot of where every team stands five months into the season.
Maybe you'll find some actionable NHL futures betting advice as we identify which teams are likely to make the playoffs, which ones are legit Stanley Cup contenders, and which ones are going to have a few rough months ahead.
*NHL Stanley Cup odds as Wednesday and via FanDuel. Maximize your NHL action with our FanDuel promo code.
2024 Stanley Cup Futures
Colorado Avalanche: +850
Help wanted: Depth
The trio of Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen and Cale Makar is as good as it gets, but that’s the problem. These guys don’t come off the ice, which is fine for now, but probably isn’t enough to play into June.
Edmonton Oilers: +850
We’ve found the mojo
Started 2-10, got their coach canned, and then went on a 16-game heater. Now, they’re deserving Cup favorites. Give them the good version of goaltender Stuart Skinner and a depth D to be beyond legit.
Florida Panthers: +950
Most complete team
Sam Reinhart has 39 goals (second in the league) while goalie Sergei Bobrovsky has continued his run since last year’s playoffs. They can play any style, which makes them a terrifying matchup.
Dallas Stars: +1000
Silent but deadly
They’re deep at forward, and unlike many others, they have an actual No. 1 goalie in Jake Oettinger. We've got a mix of young studs guided by experienced vets. If you’re looking for a Stanley Cup future, grab the Stars at +1300 (at DraftKings).
Boston Bruins: +1000
Are they doing this again?
In a league where reliable goalies are scarce, they have two, Jeremy Swayman and Linus Ullmark. However, their lack of depth at center has led many, including myself, to believe another shortened spring is more plausible than a deep Cup run.
Carolina Hurricanes: +1000
Still Rod’s Canes
While consistently tilting the ice, their kryptonite has been in net. If they can solidify their crease via trade, health or just a hot hand, the Canes are going to be a problem in the East.
(NHL fans in The Tar Heel State: Check out the latest developments on the pending launch of North Carolina sports betting online.)
New York Rangers: +1100
Goalie controversy?
Igor Shesterkin has yet to play to his Vezina-caliber level this season. A bet on the Blue Shirts is a bet on plenty of power plays and Igor finding his elite form again. It could happen but not at this price.
Winnipeg Jets: +1300
Three third lines
The Jets boast about their balance upfront, which is great, especially when you have the Vezina favorite Connor Hellebuyck in goal. They could easily be last year’s Golden Knights – or lose in a dreaded first-round track meet.
Vancouver Canucks: +1300
Surprise of the season
Out of nowhere, Vancouver sits atop the NHL, but is it too good to be true? A (+7500) Cup longshot before the season, yet they just sent five players plus their coach to the All-Star Game. Folks have been trying to short this stock all season, and it hasn’t worked.
Toronto Maple Leafs: +1400
Not enough words
Since their free-agent additions haven’t panned out, it’s back to relying on the Core Four again. They have minimal assets left to deal. Their only path is to outscore their depth and goaltending deficiencies.
Vegas Golden Knights: +1400
Card dead
Vegas can absolutely go back-to-back, and the oddsmakers are telling us that with this number. Their problem has been health. The good news is that goalie Aidan Hill is back, and Jack Eichel should be returning soon.
Los Angeles Kings: +1800
The anti-Oilers
Tremendous start followed by a dreadful January. Much like a baseball team that can’t get good hitting and good pitching in the same game. Their playoff ceiling depends entirely on their draw, but first they need timely scoring and a save.
New Jersey Devils: +2400
Need a save
A trendy preseason Cup pick, but injuries and horrid goaltending have squandered that. Currently outside the playoffs. A bet on the Devils is a parlay that they also trade for a goalie.
Tampa Bay Lightning: +2600
One last surge?
Not nearly as deep as the Tampa teams were used to seeing, leaving a lot of work for their stars, who have a lot of stressful miles on them. A dynamite power play solves a lot in the regular season, but beyond that…?
Pittsburgh Penguins: +3100
Confusing
Aging superstars looking for one last run. They somehow have one of the worst power plays in the league. The underlying numbers say they’re due to pop off, but we’re still waiting.
Philadelphia Flyers: +6000
Best effort
Despite preseason Cup odds of up to +15000,they somehow hold a playoff spot. Their compete level is top-tier, but they lack the firepower for an easy win. I'd like +140 to miss the playoffs at DraftKings – if I didn’t adore watching the Flyers every night.
In true SparkNotes fashion, I’m taking the easy way out here. We’re in the +6500s anyway, so gimmie a break.
Let’s do some groups:
Still in the Western Hunt
- Nashville Predators: +6500
- Calgary Flames: +10000
- Seattle Kraken: +12000
- St. Louis Blues: +17000
- Minnesota Wild: +17000
- Arizona Coyotes: +25000
One of these teams is going to sneak in. In their own way, they all have a deficiency that they cannot consistently make up for. My favorite of the group is probably the Wild because they had the injury excuse. Now Minnesota is healthy and +400 to make the playoffs on FanDuel. Nick Martin endorsed it, and so do I.
Still in the Eastern hunt
- New York Islanders: +6500
- Detroit Red Wings: +6500
Judging by the Wild Card standings, you could argue that these teams should be priced similarly to Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay and New Jersey. The reason they aren’t is because they don't have the ceiling those three have. Detroit has taken a step forward but isn’t quite ready. Meanwhile, the Islanders are allergic to holding leads.
Eastern Disappointments
- Buffalo Sabres: +25000
- Washington Capitals: +25000
- Ottawa Senators: +25000
The Caps are old and slow, which is understandable, but the Sabres and the Sens have been up-and-comers for far too long. In fairness, the latter two teams couldn’t get a save all year, even though I’m sure their fans are sick of being fair.
Bottom of the Barrel
- Chicago Blackhawks: +50000
- San Jose Sharks: +50000
- Anaheim Ducks: +50000
- Columbus Blue Jackets: +50000
- Montreal Canadiens: +50000
They’re actually not as bad as you think. If there were an effort spread instead of a puck-line spread, these teams would cover it most nights. The interesting one here is Montreal; the team has a surplus of goalies in a market that is desperate for them.
