At the onset of the NHL betting odds future market, there is an old favorite at the top of the board. Specifically, the Florida Panthers are an understandable betting favorite. The cause of three consecutive appearances in the Stanley Cup Final and championships in the past two seasons. But the toll taken by a Stanley Cup champion is severe. And there are plenty of capable teams who could step up and challenge Florida. Still, Florida has the talent and mental toughness to prevail again, and it would be a mistake to discount their quest for a 3-peat.
2025-26 National Hockey League Stanley Cup Futures
| Date and Time: | Season runs from October 7, 2025, through Thursday, April 16, 2026. Stanley Cup Playoffs Will Follow |
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2026 Stanley Cup Championship Odds at SBG
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Florida Panthers | +575 |
| Carolina Hurricanes | +900 |
| Colorado Avalanche | +800 |
| Edmonton Oilers | +800 |
| Vegas Golden Knights | +800 |
| Dallas Stars | +1000 |
| Tampa Bay | +1700 |
| New Jersey Devils | +1900 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | +1900 |
| All other Teams | +2000 |
Now that the NHL has completed its free agency, draft, and trades, summer break has arrived, allowing fans and gamblers to digest where things stand. Of course, when it comes to the 2025-26 NHL online wagering future market, most gamblers will bet on what happens next based on what has already happened.
The Carolina Hurricanes impressed fans and gamblers by picking up defenseman K’Andre Miller and forward Nikolaj Ehlers. In particular, Ehlers is hoped to be the finishing scorer that the Canes have lacked come playoff time. Ehlers signed for $51 million, a deal that comes from a team not known for giving out large contracts.
There is a sports betting sense that the Colorado Avalanche is one of the most underachieving teams in sports. Colorado is loaded with talent but has only one Stanley Cup championship to show for it (2022). Fans and gamblers are increasingly frustrated with the playoff failures. Especially last year, when they blew a Game 7 lead to the Dallas Stars. Veteran defenseman Brent Burns was signed to bring an element of toughness on the back end that has been lacking in the postseason for Colorado.
Initially, no team made a bigger acquisition than the Vegas Golden Knights, who landed superstar scorer Mitchell Marner from the Toronto Maple Leafs. Marner has often taken the blame for Toronto’s playoff failures and will be glad to be out of that pressure cooker. Correlate that the Golden Knights are making a move for the Stanley Cup, and Marner will give them a bona fide scoring threat that they have lacked in recent seasons.
For many fans and gamblers, the Dallas Stars were expected to make a serious run for the 2024 Stanley Cup. Instead, they were routed in five games by the Edmonton Oilers. That flop cost head coach Pete DeBoer his job. Glen Gulutzan replaced DeBoer and is a popular figure in Dallas, where he served as head coach a decade ago. Equally important, Matt Duchene and Jamie Benn took the home team discount to remain for another playoff shot at the Cup.
Naturally, the Edmonton Oilers are in the mix as a Stanley Cup favorite after losing to Florida in the Final the past two seasons. When you have the world’s best player, Connor McDavid, in the lineup, you always have a legitimate shot at a title. Of course, there is also concern about McDavid’s extension status, making the upcoming season a must-win scenario. Salary cap issues cost Edmonton some key role players such as Evander Kane and Corey Perry. Perhaps the biggest question is whether Stuart Skinner is a Cup-winning goaltender?