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The NHL offseason isn’t typically as drama-filled as the NBA’s, but this week brought plenty of headlines that caused quite a stir in the Stanley Cup odds. The NHL draft and the official opening of free agency are still to come.
Brady Tkachuk’s move to the Florida Panthers put them in a three-way tie for first spot on the odds board with the Carolina Hurricanes and Colorado Avalanche, while other teams like the Washington Capitals have made stellar moves to bolster their roster ahead of next season.
I break down what Stanley Cup predictions to make now, and which ones to hold out on — or avoid completely with your NHL picks.
🏆 2026-27 Stanley Cup odds
| Team |  |
|---|---|
 Hurricanes |
<<+750>> |
 Avalanche |
<<+750>> |
 Panthers |
<<+750>> |
 Oilers |
<<+1000>> |
 Golden Knights |
<<+1000>> |
 Lightning |
<<+1200>> |
 Wild |
<<+1300>> |
 Stars |
<<+1600>> |
 Senators |
<<+2000>> |
 Ducks |
<<+2250>> |
 Canadiens |
<<+2500>> |
 Capitals |
<<+2500>> |
 Mammoth |
<<+3000>> |
 Sabres |
<<+3000>> |
 Devils |
<<+3000>> |
 Kings |
<<+3300>> |
 Maple Leafs |
<<+3500>> |
 Blue Jackets |
<<+4000>> |
 Flyers |
<<+4500>> |
 Sharks |
<<+5000>> |
 Rangers |
<<+7500>> |
 Penguins |
<<+7500>> |
 Jets |
<<+7500>> |
 Bruins |
<<+8000>> |
 Red Wings |
<<+8000>> |
 Islanders |
<<+8000>> |
 Blues |
<<+8000>> |
 Predators |
<<+10000>> |
 Blackhawks |
<<+15000>> |
 Kraken |
<<+20000>> |
 Flames |
<<+40000>> |
 Canucks |
<<+50000>> |
Odds as of 6-25, courtesy of BET99, one of our best betting sites. Sign up with our BET99 promo code, or get one of our other sportsbook promos.
Stanley Cup predictions: 🟢 Teams to bet on now
Panthers (+750 at Bet99)
This may seem like it’s too late, but now is as good a time as any to hop on the Florida Panthers. The Brady Tkachuk trade gives them arguably the best Top 9 in the league, and they still have roughly $6 million in cap space.
One thing they don’t have at the moment is a No. 1 netminder signed, but hold your horses. It just so happens trade rumors are picking up steam surrounding the one and only Connor Hellebuyck, and you’ll never guess who is mixed up in said rumors…
Elliotte Friedman: There was another interesting theory…obviously Florida really squeezed Ottawa…they knew Brady Tkachuk wanted to go there, there was some people wondering if that’s what Florida’s gonna do with Connor Hellebuyck – FAN Hockey Show (6/24)
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) June 25, 2026
We know this Panthers’ front office isn’t afraid of going all in, and if they somehow pull this off, you’re looking at their odds shifting closer to +450.
Capitals (+2500 at Bet99)
As a Washington Capitals fan, it brings me great joy to write about how kick ass their offseason has been. Landing players like Jordan Kyrou and Alex Tuch have shortened their odds from +4500 to +2500, and I think now is the time to hop on before it’s too late.
The Caps still have over $12 million in cap space to work with, and the Tuch deal clearly shows this team is ready to go all in as they look to persuade Alex Ovechkin to come back for one more year.
While Jason Robertson’s ask may be a little too steep, there are still plenty of depth guys available in this free agency class to chase.
If Logan Thompson can return to Vezina form next season with a much better offense in front of him, look out.
Stanley Cup predictions: 🟡 Teams to wait on
Canadiens (+2500 at Bet99)
The Montreal Canadiens have had a quiet offseason up to this point, and I’m willing to wait and see what they do before I put my hard-earned cash on them.
Their run to the Eastern Conference Final showed promise, but it took two Game 7 wins to get there, and the Hurricanes outclassed them.
Adding another Top 4 defenseman or bolstering the Top 6 with a player like Jason Robertson could push this team one step closer, but until I see them actually do that, I’m holding off.
Sharks (+5000 at Bet99)
Macklin Celebrini is an electric factory, and it looks like the San Jose Sharks were starting to piece things together last year. They have assets coming out the hoo hah — including the second pick of tomorrow’s NHL Draft — and a ton of cap space, but let’s wait and see what they do with them…
If they trade those assets to get a legit piece, their odds will shorten, but not enough where they aren’t worth a flier. If they decide to hold on to those picks and continue a proper rebuild, you’re stuck with a +5000 ticket that has almost no shot of cashing next year. Patience, young padawan.
Stanley Cup predictions: 🔴 Teams to avoid
Oilers (+1000 at Bet99)
To hell with Mike Babcock. I would prefer to use a word that rhymes with duck, but despite writing for a sports betting website, I must show some class.
Listen, did the Edmonton Oilers answer their head coaching question? About as bad as you can answer, I guess.
However, did they answer their netminding, offensive depth, and defensive corps problems? No? Okay, so why would you ever consider betting on a team so shit at +1000? Because they have Connor McDavid? Not for long, little buddy, not for long…
Stars (+1600 at Bet99)
The Dallas Stars show so much promise every year, and every year they let their fans down. And now, with no Cup to show for their hard work, they’re likely about to ship out RFA Jason Robertson.
It feels like the championship window is closing — if not already slammed shut — and there are just better teams to bet on at this point of the year.
Key players who could be traded
- Dylan Larkin
- Jason Robertson
- Matthew Knies
- Mason McTavish
- Connor Hellebuyck
- Nico Hischier
- Darnell Nurse
- Morgan Rielly
- Vincent Trochek
- Jake DeBrusk
- Adin Hill
Outstanding key NHL UFAs and RFAs
UFAs
- Rasmus Andersson D
- Alex Ovechkin F
- Patrick Kane F
- Anthony Mantha F
- Viktor Arvidsson F
- Mats Zucccarello F
- John Carlson D
- Claude Giroux F
- Mason Marchment F
- Jacob Trouba
RFAs
- Jason Robertson F
- Connor Bedard F
- Cutter Gauthier F
- Leo Carlsson F
- Pavel Dorofeyev F
- Alexander Nikishin D
- Jordan Spence D
- Trevor Zegras F
- Yegor Chinakhov F
Key NHL offseason dates 2026-27
- June 26/27 – NHL Draft
- July 1 – Free agency begins
- July 20 – Salary arbitration hearings begin
- August 3 – Deadline for salary arb decisions to be rendered
- September 11 – Rookies report to training camp
- September 16/27 – Remaining players report to training camp
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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