10 Stanley Cup Contenders, Including Two Canadian Hopefuls

The Florida Panthers’ two-year run as champions ended last season, but after a major trade and increased health, they’re back in the picture ahead of the 2026/27 NHL season as they lead a pack of 10 teams with odds shorter than 20/1, including a pair of Canadian hopefuls, to win the Stanley Cup. 

Florida Panthers (+640) 

If last season was a gap year, the Panthers are back in full this year. The favourites bolstered their cup-winning core with the acquisition of Brady Tkachuk this summer and look primed to return to contention.  

Carolina Hurricanes (+700) 

The defending champions have returned almost all of their Stanley Cup-winning team, with the exception of goalie Frederik Andersen. One of the most proactive teams around the league, it’s safe to think any cup-hangover struggles will be addressed quickly to keep them in the mix. 

Colorado Avalanche (+750) 

If the ‘Canes are the most proactive, the Avs are the most aggressive. With Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar, Colorado’s window remains wide open but pressure on head coach Jared Bednar is high after multiple years of underwhelming playoff exits. 

Edmonton Oilers (+900) 

Speaking of pressure. After back-to-back losses in the Stanley Cup Final, last season was a disaster in Edmonton as it clawed its way to the postseason only to get bounced in six games. With the privilege of Connor McDavid comes the pressure of having Connor McDavid, and the Oilers will feel the latter more and more as his short-term contract looms. 

Vegas Golden Knights (+1000) 

A strange season in Las Vegas included a late-season coaching change and a run to the final, but now it starts anew with Ryan Craig behind the bench. With most of their 2025/26 team back in the desert for this season, the Golden Knights will again jostle with the Avs and company atop the West. 

Tampa Bay Lightning (+1200) 

The former standard-bearer in the East has endured four straight first-round exits. But, with a deep team led by Nikita Kucherov going forward and backstopped by Andrei Vasilevskiy, they remain as dangerous as any team... provided they get out of the first round. 

Minnesota Wild (+1300) 

The Quinn Hughes contract drama looms over the Twin Cities, but the Wild remain a loaded team. Like last season, their postseason fortunes may hinge on where they can land in a ruthless Central Division.  

Washington Capitals (+1400) 

It wouldn’t get more storybook for the NHL’s all-time leading goalscorer than to go out as a champion. The Caps’ division will help postseason efforts, but once they get there, they’ll face a brutal path.  

Dallas Stars (+1500) 

Like the Wild, the Stars are loaded and as deep as any team. But, like the Wild, they share a division with Colorado and that reality will put more importance on regular season performance, with the potential of another brutal first-round series.  

Montreal Canadiens (+1800) 

One of the league’s youngest, most exciting teams was ahead of schedule with last year’s run to the Eastern Conference finals. Expect continued growth, and even more reason for excitement, as the Habs continue to ascend in the East.     

Toronto Maple Leafs (+3500) 

The most disappointing season in recent memory in Toronto ended with an organizational reset and, more importantly, hope for the future in the form of No. 1 pick Gavin McKenna. With a Calder hopeful on one end of the rink and a future Hall of Famer in Sergei Bobrovsky at the other, there’s renewed hope for the Maple Leafs. 

Canada’s Hopefuls 

Every year, a team surprises with a deep run. With a four-pack of distant Canadian hopefuls, this year’s Cinderella could not only shock the league but end a decades-long cup drought north of the border.  

Despite the trade of former captain Tkachuk, the Ottawa Senators (+3500) lead the way, with the Winnipeg Jets, mired in drama around Connor Hellybuck, behind at +10000. Firmly in rebuilds, meanwhile, are the two teams with the longest odds to win the Cup across the league, with the Calgary Flames at +50000 and the Vancouver Canucks at +100000.  

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Odds as of September 24, 2026.