NHL

NHL Pre-Training Camp Stanley Cup Odds: BetOnline Sportsbook Favors Oilers, Panthers for Final Showdown

By
Jeff Hawkins
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Jeff Hawkins Sports Editor

Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than three decades in the industry, in both print and digital media. He joined the Sportscasting team in 2021 following a decade of freelancing. He spent his early career as a reporter for various newspapers in Illinois, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan, with a particular emphasis as a beat reporter for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jeff earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Oakland University. Over the course of his career he earned several sports writing awards, including two national awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors for column writing and news reporting. One of the five prized columns included a commentary on NASCAR's increasing corporate influences, particularly in northern racetracks — commentary which you might find Jeff building on as part of the Motorsports writing team at Sportscasting now.  

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Published07 Sep 2024

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A plastic rat on the ice after a Florida Panthers hockey game.

The entertainment value of the first go-around earned rave reviews as the Florida Panthers edged the Edmonton Oilers during last spring’s seven-game Stanley Cup Final.

How about a rematch?

With NHL training camps scheduled to open Sept. 15, BetOnline Sportsbook favored the Oilers (+750) and Panthers (+900) to return to the Cup final.

The Oilers, who rallied from a 3-0 series deficit, but fell 2-1 in the finale, radically altered their Western Conference-championship roster and front office during the offseason. The franchise obviously feels pressure to contend while Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl remain in their primes.

Meanwhile, the Panthers focused on reloading and refreshing over the summer, attempting to become the third team to win back-to-back Stanley Cups since 2010.

Here is a look at two of the NHL’s best bets to win the championship: 

Can New-Look Oilers Take Next Step?

Will long-suffering Oilers’ fans recognize the squad?

Will the new-look roster be motivated from last spring’s defeat, considering new general manager Stan Bowman helped sign 13 free agents, including Viktor Arvidsson and Jeff Skinner. The former Chicago Blackhawks executive utilized the trade market to add Ty Emberson, Roby Jarventie and Matthew Savoie.

The Oilers on Tuesday capped their offseason moves by inking Draisaitl to an eight-year, $112 million contract extension.

Since 1990, only one final-round loser, the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2009, has rebounded to capture the Cup title the next season. The Oilers fell short last spring when their prolific offense dried up, averaging 0.12 fewer goals per game in the playoffs than the regular season.

Will the moves work, allowing the Oilers to strike their first championship celebration since 1990?

Are Panthers Still Stanley Cup Hungry? 

Over the past 15 seasons, the Tampa Bay Lightning (2020 and ‘21) and Penguins (2016 and ‘17) successfully defended their Cup crowns. Can the Panthers’ returning core lead the Panthers to a third consecutive trip to the Cup final? 

Aleksander Barkov remains a key after finally posting big playoff numbers, collecting 22 points in 24 outings. If the Panthers’ captain remains healthy, could he challenge for Hart Memorial Trophy recognition? 

Could Sam Reinhart be considered an MVP candidate following his 57-goal campaign, which prompted an eight-year, $69 million extension. When skating with Barkov, the duo outchanced their opponents, 570-397. 

Forwards Sam Bennett, Anton Lundell, Matthew Tkachuk and Carter Verhaeghe are expected to provide offensive depth along the top nine, although Lundell likely will be slotted into the top six. 

 The Panthers averaged 3.23 goals per game during the regular season and 3.04 during the playoffs.  

With more consistent scoring, the Panthers remain a good play to defend their first-ever title.

2024-25 Stanley Cup Odds To Win 

Here is an early look at the NHL teams’ odds to capture the 2024-25 Stanley Cup, according to BetOnline Sportsbook:

NHL Team 2024-25 Stanley Cup Odds
Edmonton Oilers  +750
Florida Panthers  +900
New Jersey Devils  +1000
Dallas Stars +1100
Colorado Avalanche +1200
Carolina Hurricanes +1400
New York Rangers +1400
Toronto Maple Leafs +1400
Vegas Golden Knights +1400
Nashville Predators +1600
Boston Bruins +2000
 Tampa Bay Lightning +2000
Vancouver Canucks +2200
Los Angeles Kings +2500
Winnipeg Jets +2500
Minnesota Wild  +3300
Ottawa Senators +3500
Detroit Red Wings +4500
New York Islanders  +4500
Buffalo Sabres +5000
Pittsburgh Penguins   +5000
  St. Louis Blues   +6000
Seattle Kraken +6000
Utah Hockey Club +6600
Washington Capitals +7500
Calgary Flames +15000
Chicago Blackhawks +15000
Montreal Canadiens +15000
Anaheim Ducks +25000
Columbus Blue Jackets +50000
San Jose Sharks +50000

* Odds current at time of publication

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Author photo
Jeff Hawkins
Sports Editor

Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than three decades in the industry, in both print and digital media. He joined the Sportscasting team in 2021 following a decade of freelancing. He spent his early career as a reporter for various newspapers in Illinois, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan, with a particular emphasis as a beat reporter for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jeff earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Oakland University. Over the course of his career he earned several sports writing awards, including two national awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors for column writing and news reporting. One of the five prized columns included a commentary on NASCAR's increasing corporate influences, particularly in northern racetracks — commentary which you might find Jeff building on as part of the Motorsports writing team at Sportscasting now.  

Get to know Jeff Hawkins better
Author photo
Jeff Hawkins Sports Editor

Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than three decades in the industry, in both print and digital media. He joined the Sportscasting team in 2021 following a decade of freelancing. He spent his early career as a reporter for various newspapers in Illinois, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan, with a particular emphasis as a beat reporter for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jeff earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Oakland University. Over the course of his career he earned several sports writing awards, including two national awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors for column writing and news reporting. One of the five prized columns included a commentary on NASCAR's increasing corporate influences, particularly in northern racetracks — commentary which you might find Jeff building on as part of the Motorsports writing team at Sportscasting now.  

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