The NHL regular season is fast-approaching once again! Just 3 months ago, the Florida Panthers hoisted Lord Stanley’s Cup after a thrilling seven-game series against the Edmonton Oilers. Both teams are plenty good enough to return to the Stanley Cup Finals this season, but they have some stiff competition to repeat as Conference winners.
On their way to the Cup Finals, the Oilers beat the Kings, Canucks, and Stars. The Panthers went through the Lightning, Bruins, and Rangers. All six of those teams that lost to the eventual conference winner has a very real chance of returning to the playoffs. That would leave little room for new teams to crack each conference’s top eight. Here are the preseason Stanley Cup and Playoff odds for the 2024-25 season:
Stanley Cups Odds
- Edmonton Oilers: +800
- Florida Panthers: +1000
- Dallas Stars: +1100
- Toronto Maple Leafs: +1300
- New York Rangers: +1300
- New Jersey Devils: +1300
- Colorado Avalanche: +1300
- Carolina Hurricanes: +1300
- Vegas Golden Knights: +1800
- Vancouver Canucks: +1800
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Playoff Odds
- Anaheim Ducks: +1400
- Boston Bruins: -240
- Buffalo Sabres: +170
- Columbus Blue Jackets: +1500
- Calgary Flames: +300
- Chicago Blackhawks: +900
- Detroit Red Wings: +130
- Los Angeles Kings: -240
- Minnesota Wild: -135
- Montreal Canadiens: +750
- Nashville Predators: -340
- New York Islanders: -105
- Ottawa Senators: +125
- Philadelphia Flyers: +200
- Pittsburgh Penguins: +120
- Seattle Kraken: +170
- San Jose Sharks: +2200
- St. Louis Blues: +205
- Tampa Bay Lightning: -230
- Utah Hockey Club: +175
- Washington Capitals: +155
- Winnipeg Jets: -200
What to look out for in the 2024-25 NHL season
The Nashville Predators had arguably the best offseason in the league with the additions of Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault and Brady Skjei. This was already a playoff team. Those moves made them a legitimate contender for the Central division and Western Conference. The odds for Nashville are +350 and +850 respectively in those markets could be worth a look.
The New Jersey Devils are tied-fourth with the best odds to win the Stanley Cup. The Devils did not make the playoffs last season. There were 4 teams in between the Devils and the final Wild Card spot in the East. New Jersey already has an injury concern as defenseman Luke Hughes enters camp with a shoulder injury. This is a very good team, hence the odds, but given last season’s injury issues and general struggles, having them jump nearly half the league from where they finished last year could be a stretch.
The Stanley Cup winner and finalist from last season are also the betting favourites to go all the way once again. If that were to come to fruition for the Panthers, it would be their third consecutive Cup Finals appearance. For the Oilers, it would be their second consecutive Cup Finals appearance. Often, at least one finalist team had players on the final year of their contract, traded players, or saw some kind of team turnover which would lessen their odds for the following year. Not Edmonton and Florida. Repeat Stanley Cup Finals are rare, but this season, it is realistic.
2024-25 NHL Season best bets
St. Louis Blues to make the playoffs: +205
The Blues were the first team out in the Western Conference playoff picture last year. If not for 2 ugly losses to the Sharks and one more win, they looked to be in. This team looks to have all the pieces for a big campaign after improving in the offseason, and has arguably one of the best goalie tandems in hockey. They hold plenty of value to reach the postseason.
Pittsburgh Penguins to make the playoffs: +120
Sidney Crosby and company barely missed the playoffs last year. At plus-money odds, they get decent value to break in after two seasons of just missing out. This is a good team with a ton of motivation.
Detroit Red Wings to win the Eastern Conference: +2000
Detroit is +130 to make the playoffs so these odds to finish better than the opposing seven teams look solid. This is a team that has been on the ascendancy for years now with a great mix of youth and veteran talent. It would not be a surprise to see them contend for the conference.
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2024-25 NHL Season Player Awards
There is a lot to look forward to from an individual player standpoint. Last season, fans were treated to phenomenal individual performances which created a near toss-up, four-way competition for the Hart Trophy. Nikita Kucherov led the league with 144 points, including 100 assists. Nathan MacKinnon tallied 51 goals and 140 points, Connor McDavid collected 132 points, including 100 assists, and Auston Matthews was a single goal away from 70 on the year. Those are just a few of several standout individual performances from the 2023-24 NHL season.
2024-25 Hart Trophy (NHL MVP) Odds
- Connor McDavid: +150
- Nathan MacKinnon: +650
- Auston Matthews: +900
- Jack Hughes: +1300
- Leon Draisaitl: +2000
- Kirill Kaprizov: +2000
- Nikita Kucherov: +2000
- David Pastrnak: +2000
2024-25 Norris Trophy (Best NHL Defenseman) Odds
- Cale Makar: +200
- Adam Fox: +600
- Quinn Hughes: +700
- Miro Heiskanen: +700
- Evan Bouchard: +700
- Roman Josi: +1200
2024-25 Vezina Trophy (Best NHL Goaltender) Odds
- Jeremy Swayman: +550
- Igor Shesterkin: +550
- Connor Hellebuyck: +800
- Thatcher Demko: +1000
- Juuse Saros: +1000
- Jake Oettinger: +1200
2024-25 Calder Trophy (Rookie of the Year) Odds
- Matvei Michkov: +400
- Macklin Celebrini: +400
- Logan Stankoven: +600
- Lane Hutson: +700
- Cutter Gauthier: +800
- Will Smith: +1000
What stands out in the NHL Player Awards markets?
Jeremy Swayman holds the leading odds to win the Vezina, but is not signed to a contract with the Bruins yet. Additionally, there are questions about the strength of the Bruins’ lineup. With equal odds, Igor Shesterkin looks to be in a much better situation as a star goaltender.
Matvei Michkov leads Calder Trophy odds despite never playing in a North American junior or NCAA league. That is not crazy considering he is coming from the KHL in Russia. But with the rookies behind him, fans have seen them for years now and they are very good players. It will be interesting to see if Michkov lives up to those odds above those other budding stars.
2024-25 NHL Player Award best bets
Connor McDavid to win the Hart Trophy and the Art Ross (Most points): +150 and -145
Connor McDavid has been the best player in the NHL for years now and he should be in for yet another solid season. After coming so close to finally winning the Stanley Cup in 2023-24, expect McDavid to be even more laser-focused and lead his team to plenty of victories throughout the season. By doing so, he should rack up plenty of points and make a great case for winning the Hart Trophy.
Will Smith to win the Calder Trophy: +1000
In the last two seasons at the highest level he could play for his age, Smith tallied 122 points in 68 games, including nine points in seven games at the World Juniors. This kid is a special talent and looks ready for the NHL. These +1000 odds could look huge in a couple of months.
