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Stanley Cup Champion Contenders: Futures Odds and Predictions

by Ryan Cobbett - 12/29/2025

Stanley Cup champion contenders Mackenzie Blackwood Colorado Avalanche

As we near the end of the calendar year and encroach on the halfway point of the season, there is a lot to unpack when it comes to forecasting the next Stanley Cup Champion. One thing that seems increasingly more likely is that the Panthers reign will come to an end this summer unless they do something to add more spark to their roster. We have some new contenders this year as the Detroit Red Wings have maintained the top spot in the Atlantic Division while the New York Islanders and Philadelphia Flyers control the final two guaranteed spots in the Metro Division. Out West, the Central Division showcases the top three teams in the NHL, though only one of those have odds inside the Top Five. Let’s get to it.

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Colorado Avalanche +300

That lone Central Division, Top Five representative is the Colorado Avalanche. The Avalanche are on a historic pace and are in contention for being, not only the best team this year, but the best team ever. They are averaging nearly four goals per game thanks to an MVP-caliber season from Nathan MacKinnon and his supporting cast. MacKinnon has 31 goals in 37 games, and he is second in the NHL in points with 64. Martin Necas, Cale Makar, Artturi Lehkonen, and Brock Nelson all have more than 10 goals this season, and Necas and Makar have more than 40 points. Not only do they have the top scoring offense in the NHL, along with a league-leading 85.8% PK%, but they also lead the NHL in goals allowed (2.19 GA/G). Scott Wedgewood and Mackenzie Blackwood both have just one regulation loss this season and are both allowing less than 2.20 GA/G. They dominate in all facets of the game and look unbeatable, there is no doubt this Colorado team has to be the heavy favorite to win it all.

Tampa Bay Lightning +750

The Tampa Bay Lightning comes in at number two on this list with +750 odds to dethrone their Florida rivals as Stanley Cup Champions. Their +24-goal differential is the best mark in the Eastern Conference and third best in the NHL. Their balance is undeniable, as they rank inside the Top Seven in both goals scored and goals allowed. The real strength of this Lightning team is their elite goaltending. They are allowing just 2.63 GA/G, thanks to their future Hall of Fame goalie. Andrei Vasilevskiy has allowed just 2.30 GA/G through his 23 appearances this season. On top of his dominance in the crease, Tampa Bay is averaging 3.29 GF/G. Nikita Kucherov continues to dominate despite his age, as he leads the team with 49 points. His 17 goals are second on the team behind Jake Guentzel and Brandon Hagel, who are tied with the team’s best 18 goals. There is a lot left to be desired here for Tampa Bay as well. Brayden Point has had an extremely underwhelming season, as he only has six goals and 21 points in 31 games, and they are without Victor Hedman, who underwent elbow surgery. If they can contribute later on in the season, Tampa Bay will surely be the team to beat in the Eastern Conference.

Vegas Golden Knights +800

Thanks in part to a cold stretch from Anaheim, the Vegas Golden Knights have reclaimed the top spot in the Pacific Division with 45 points. They are third on this list with +800 odds, not because of their performance thus far, but what is on paper. It is hard not to favor a team that has Jack Eichel, Mitch Marner, Mark Stone, Tomas Hertl, Ivan Barbashev, and Pavel Dorofeyev up front, and guys like Shea Theodore and Noah Hanifin anchoring them at the blueline. However, Vegas ranks outside the Top 10 in both goals scored and goals allowed at this point in the season. Akira Schmid has been a big help for them, as he has kept this goalie room competitive. Despite him allowing just 2.48 GA/G, all four Vegas goalies have an SV% of .898 or less. Hertl and Dorofeyev are tied for a team best 15 goals, but the two have a -6 and -7 rating respectively. This is a top-heavy roster with a lot of talent, but the depth and uncertainties in the crease will cost them in the long run. Do not be fooled by this favorable projection; Vegas is not elite this season.

Carolina Hurricanes +800

Returning to what will be a common theme in this piece, the Carolina Hurricanes ranks inside the Top 10 in goals scored and goals allowed this season. The Hurricanes depth is their true strength as each line can score and impact the game. While there are no point-per-game players, the roster is deep. They have 14 players who have tallied more than 10 points this season, with five of those players reaching the 10-goal milestone on the season. Sebastian Aho continues to be the top threat with 33 points on the season, but Seth Jarvis has emerged as the biggest goal-scoring threat that Carolina has, with a team best of 19 goals. The goaltending has been solid, though Frederik Andersen has struggled this season. Andersen is allowing 3.27 GA/G through his first 15 appearances. Pyotr Kochetkov has allowed 2.33 GA/G in his nine appearances, and the true hero in the crease for Carolina is the emergence of Brandon Bussi, who has allowed 2.10 GA/G and is 12-1-1 in his 14 appearances. This Carolina team is complete with a deep roster featuring scoring options and goalies. At +800, this is great value, especially as we can expect improvements from Andersen.

Dark Horse Candidate- Dallas Stars +1700

The first dark horse candidate is the Dallas Stars. It is surprising not to see them inside the Top Five favorites winning the Stanley Cup, despite being the second-best team in the league. Yes, their path would mean overcoming or bypassing the Colorado Avalanche, but Dallas has won the lone matchup between the two this year. They rank second in the league in scoring, averaging 3.49 GF/G, with the second-best power play unit in the NHL (30.6%). Mikko Rantanen has come into his own as the top guy on this Dallas roster. His 54 points lead the team and rank fifth in the league. Jason Robertson and Wyatt Johnston have both reached the 20-goal milestone on the season, while Rooper Hintz and Miro Heiskanen are both over 30 points on the year, adding great depth. They have 13 players who have passed the 10-point mark on the season, and with the injury to Tyler Seguin, they now have the means to add more depth before the deadline. In addition to all the offensive depth, Jake Oettinger and Casey DeSmith are among the best goalie tandems in the NHL. Do not sleep on the Stars.

Dark Horse Candidate- Minnesota Wild +2500

The final dark horse candidate also comes from the Central Division. Yes, this means they would have to take down or bypass the Avalanche and the Stars, but Minnesota has gone ‘all-in’ on the year in order to do so. Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy both have 45 or more points, both are averaging well over a point per game, and have more than 20 goals on the season. In addition to that, Quinn Hughes has been averaging a point per game since coming over from Vancouver. Minnesota has strong depth, but the important depth comes in the crease. Filip Gustavsson has continued to be one of the best goalies in the league, but now he has some help. Jesper Wallstedt has emerged on the scene, allowing just 2.17 GA/G, while posting a 11-2-2 record. His emergence has now given Minnesota arguably the second-best goalie tandem in the NHL with a lot of star power in front of them. At +2500, there is a lot of value here in a flier on the Wild.

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