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The Detroit Red Wings have seen some improvements, but it may still be a few years before you feel confident enough to bet your hard-earned money on their Stanley Cup chances.
However, we have no authority over you. Moreover, with odds of +20000 at most Michigan sportsbooks, even placing a small bet on the Wings today could enhance the excitement of a mid-season winning streak more than it truly is.
Those who bet on the Detroit Tigers to win the World Series at odds of +100000 after April understand what I’m talking about.
If you prefer a more secure choice, there are numerous reliable options on the NHL futures board that can still result in a significant payout. Now that the chaotic NHL offseason has come to an end, let’s examine the top five captivating Stanley Cup futures.
Editor’s note: The odds provided were accurate at the time of publication. However, please note that futures odds are subject to frequent updates.
New York Islanders +2500 (DraftKings)
According to Playinmichigan’s compiled rankings on the Stanley Cup odds page, the New York Islanders are currently ranked seventh in terms of their chances to win the NHL title. This assessment appears to be fitting.
The odds of the Islanders winning the Stanley Cup, according to DraftKings Sportsbook, are +2500, which appears to be inappropriate.
In the last two conference finals, New York managed to push the two-time defending champion Tampa Bay Lightning to Games 7 and 6. The only setback they faced was going up against a formidable opponent and also missing their captain, Anders Lee, in 2021.
Although the team has lost some significant players such as Andrew Ladd, Nick Leddy, and Jordan Eberle who will be playing for other teams next season, the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum’s enchantment has faded. Nevertheless, this team still possesses great depth in all areas and can rely on their goaltending duo, Ilya Sorokin and Semyon Varlamov.
Should the reports about Kyle Palmieri and Casey Cizikas returning prove true, it is highly unlikely that this team will regress, let alone experience a significant setback. This is particularly true when considering the potential addition of Zach Parise in a reduced capacity, alongside a front office he has a strong connection with.
With Barry Trotz leading the way, the Islanders refuse to back down, and their composition resembles that of a formidable playoff hockey team. Without a doubt, they are an excellent choice for any wager.
Edmonton Oilers +2900 (FanDuel)
It is a widely acknowledged fact that no Canadian team, including the Oilers, has managed to win the Stanley Cup since 1993. This historical trend renders future bets on Canadian teams, particularly the Oilers, essentially worthless. We understand this aspect quite well.
Red Wings fans are extremely grateful that Ken Holland is no longer in Detroit, thanks to his offseason decisions. However, this sentiment arises mainly from his management of the Edmonton Oilers, which seems to disregard the existence of the world beyond 2025 (which might not be the worst approach, considering the current circumstances). In any case, why should you be concerned about Edmonton’s long-term prospects?
There remains a worry about the goaltending situation, as 39-year-old Mike Smith and Mikko Koskinen, who has a save percentage of .899, will reunite for another season, similar to a sequel of the movie “Scary Movie.”
However, there are some positive aspects to consider.
The Oilers have bolstered their forward lineup with the acquisitions of Zach Hyman, Warren Foegele, and Derek Ryan. While there may be concerns about the long-term implications of the Hyman deal, similar to the situation with Justin Abdelkader, it’s important to highlight that Hyman is currently in his prime. Furthermore, he will have the opportunity to play alongside either the incredible talents of Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl. Therefore, for the time being, everything should work out just fine.
Holland’s acquisition of 38-year-old Duncan Keith and signing Cody Ceci for a four-year deal is a subject of debate. However, the return of Tyson Barrie is seen as a positive move. The team’s focus seems to be on their offensive prowess rather than relying heavily on defense and goaltending. It can be likened to playing Big 12 football, where they have the necessary offensive pieces to fully commit to this strategy.
Hockey Twitter often indulges in a recurring joke, where they humorously exclaim “Here come the Oilers!” whenever Edmonton manages to self-sabotage in some unforeseen manner. It’s a reputation they have rightfully earned. However, thanks to the presence of McDavid, the Oilers always possess a glimmer of hope, especially when considering their odds for winning the Stanley Cup in the future.
Washington Capitals +3000 (DraftKings)
Having the respect of McDavid-level in the NHL is something that only Alexander Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby have managed to achieve. Although there are slight variations, possessing either of these players on your team gives you a fighting chance.
We will go with the Washington Capitals at DraftKings since they have better odds compared to the Pittsburgh Penguins (+2200).
What sets the Caps apart from the Oilers is their prior accomplishments. As we enter the 2021-22 season, it appears that the road to success in the Metro Division goes through either Long Island or the Carolina Hurricanes. However, it’s worth acknowledging the value of teams with aging yet extraordinary talent at the helm.
Certainly, it is possible that Ovechkin’s career may conclude similarly to those of Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg. The Red Wings experienced a turbulent period during the 2010s, desperately attempting to assemble a competitive team capable of contending for another Stanley Cup (ahem, playoffs). However, Ovechkin’s career could also mirror that of Steve Yzerman’s, where he defied all odds and emerged as a champion once again, despite widespread belief in his demise.
Oh no, let’s combine this ticket with the Islanders’ goal and cheer against the Hurricanes throughout the entire year.
Chicago Blackhawks +7500 (DraftKings)
The Chicago Blackhawks, with odds of +7500, could potentially offer the most valuable bet for the Stanley Cup futures in the league. Despite the unfortunate absence of Kirby Dach and Jonathan Toews for the entire season, Chicago has managed to surprise many with a strong start in 2021.
Despite lacking the necessary long-haul determination, they strengthened their team by acquiring Marc-Andre Fleury, the reigning Vezina Trophy winner, and effectively substituting Duncan Keith with the young and talented Seth Jones. Additionally, the newly added defenseman Jake McCabe was highly praised in Buffalo for his outstanding analytics performance.
However, the expensive acquisitions resulted in the Blackhawks missing out on the opportunity to retain breakout rookie Pius Suter, who performed exceptionally well as the team’s primary center alongside Patrick Kane and Alex Debrincat. Despite this, the team still lacks significant depth. Henrik Borgström, expected to fill the role of the third-line center (depending on Tyler Johnson’s position), has not scored a point in the NHL since 2019.
Furthermore, there could be individuals who struggle with the moral implications of placing bets on a team currently embroiled in a lawsuit for concealing sexual abuse. Presently, this predicament casts a negative light on everyone associated with the organization. It is quite perplexing that they have chosen to fully support the team despite the looming shadow of the league’s most significant scandal in recent memory. Should you choose not to dissociate the team from its management, that is entirely up to you.
Furthermore, it remains uncertain how the team’s on-ice performance will be impacted by the negative media attention that is currently circulating.
This bet falls into the category of “If I am forced to be miserable…”
Los Angeles Kings +8500 (FanDuel)
There is no denying that it is highly improbable for the Los Angeles Kings to emerge as the Stanley Cup champions.
Additionally, there is a possibility that they could surprise everyone and succeed, which explains why other organizations like DraftKings have them listed with odds of +5500. The combination of Phillip Danault and Anze Kopitar at center, complemented by promising rookies Quinton Byfield and Alex Turcotte, along with Gabe Vilardi, creates a highly favorable lineup. Moreover, the inclusion of Viktor Arvidsson adds depth to their wing positions.
Moreover, they have a strong chance of acquiring Jack Eichel. It seems reasonable to hold onto the +8500 ticket even if the defense and goaltending are questionable, especially when the odds increase to +3000.
There is no doubt that the Kings’ timeline aligns more closely with the Red Wings than that of a Cup contender. However, it is worth noting that the Pacific Division appears to be quite weak, with 75% of the teams missing the playoffs last year (although one of them is the newly established Seattle Kraken). The other two California teams are seemingly headed towards a simultaneous decline in the standings.
Anticipate a resurgence from the Vancouver Canucks and Calgary Flames in the upcoming season, while keeping an eye on the Kings as potential contenders for the No. 8 playoff spot in 2022. It’s worth noting that the Kings are the sole team to have claimed the Stanley Cup as an 8th seed, achieving this feat back in 2012.
Why not go ahead and place a Stanley Cup futures bet? Embrace your fondness for 10-year anniversaries and give it a shot.
