Gambling on NHL Hockey?
Odds to win the 2015 Stanley Cup from Bovada
The 2014 NHL season is over – full marks to the LA Kings who won their second Title in three years. It’s a completely clean sheet as we head into summer – every team (yes even the Buffalo Sabres) are in the hunt for next year’s Stanley Cup – until we actually hit the ice in October of course!
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Free Agency could tip the scales; impending coaching changes may prove to be a difference for a few teams (I’m talking to you – Pittsburgh Penguins!!!!) and some rumored trades threaten to change the landscape of each Conference.
The oddsmakers have come out with the favorites to win the 2015 Cup already proving once again – it’s never too early to be talking some hockey! Here is a look at the odds for each team and why/why not the oddsmakers have it right!
Keep in mind that the Kings were 12/1 to win it all and the Rangers were 20/1 before the 2013-2014 season!
Odds to win the 2015 Stanley Cup
Chicago Blackhawks 7/1
The Hawks and the Kings have alternated Cups the last three years – 2015 is Chicago’s turn! Chicago fell to the Kings in Game 7 of the West Final – they were one goal away from a date with the Rangers. The Hawks have won two cups in five seasons, have arguably the best top two lines in the NHL and they are still young. Add in a confident Corey Crawford and a blue line that includes Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook and the Hawks look every bit the Cup favorites for next year.
There are no holes on the Blackhawks – it looks as though it will be a matter, once again of getting by the Kings!
Boston Bruins 8/1
By far the best team in the East has to be among the top two favorites for next year. Although there are some rumored changes (Shawn Thornton won’t be back and some trades to relieve some cap room seem imminent).
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Other than that expect much of the same team that was tops in the regular season to take to the ice next year – Jarome Iginla included!
Boston, on paper still has the best defense in the game with Tuukka Rask and Zdeno Chara and they are still one of the two or three deepest teams in the game. After a disappointing 2014 playoff run, expect a motivated Bruins team to come out of the East in 2015.
Los Angeles Kings 9/1
Other than the fact that it is nearly impossible to repeat in this day and age, there is little reason NOT to like the Kings in 2015. Jonathan Quick didn’t have a Jonathan Quick type of playoffs and the Kings still won the Cup.
Los Angeles showed an unforeseen offensive prowess in the playoffs which should send a message to the rest of the league – LA isn’t just a one-trick defensive pony!
LA will be out for the difficult repeat and they must maneuver a tough Western Conference once again – I think their depth on the Blue Line may be a little exposed next year unless there are a few changes in the offseason.
Pittsburgh Penguins 10/1
Whenever you have Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin wearing your uniform you are a contender. While the Pens have certainly had their issues in the playoffs there is absolutely no doubt the class of this team. A coaching change could spark this club to another level next year – playing in a somewhat weaker Eastern Conference could also thrust the Pens to the promise land once again.
Crosby and Malkin’s playoff struggles are well documented as is Marc-Andre Fleury’s. All three are overdue for a historic playoff run – that may come next year!
St. Louis Blues 12/1
The Blues were perhaps the biggest disappointment of the 2014 playoffs – this team was built to succeed in the postseason. St. Louis is one of the best all-around clubs in the game – good defensively, solid offensively, big, fast and balanced!
St. Louis may need a tweak or two in the offseason but chances are they go a long ways next year.
Despite a perceived weakness between the pipes with Brian Elliot and Jake Allen, the Blues look like the best value on the board right now. Coming out of the West is going to be a monumental chore once again next year but no team seems to be better equipped than the Blues.
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Anaheim Ducks 14/1
The Ducks would be an interesting team to watch if they were in the East but having to maneuver the Hawks, the Kings and the Blues is going to be tough to say the least. Teemu Selanne is gone and Saku Koivu isn’t expected back either and with the uncertainty between the pipes the Ducks, although enticing have too many question marks for me!
San Jose Sharks 14/1
The Sharks seem poised to a major overhaul this postseason. Until we know what that looks like, it is pretty hard to trust one of the most dominant regular season teams of the last decade.
New York Rangers 16/1
The Rangers proved something to everyone this past season – Coach Alain Vigneault certainly brings the best out in this club. Henrik Lundqvist almost won the Cup all by himself in 2014 – expect him to be a man on a mission next year!
Colorado Avalanche 18/1
Minnesota Wild 20/1
Montreal Canadiens 20/1
Any team with Carey Price and PK Subban is worth mentioning!
Detroit Red Wings 22/1
Looking for a sleeper? Look no further than the Detroit Red Wings who survived an insanely injury-plagued regular season and represented itself well in the playoffs despite still being banged up.
A terrific mix of stellar veterans and up-and-coming youth make the Wings an intriguing team to watch in 2014-2015 for sure.
Tampa Bay Lightning 25/1
Vancouver Canucks 25/1
Philadelphia Flyers 28/1
Dallas Stars 33/1
Toronto Maple Leafs 33/1
Washington Capitals 33/1
Columbus Blue Jackets 40/1
New Jersey Devils 40/1
Edmonton Oilers 50/1
Ottawa Senators 50/1
Phoenix Coyotes 50/1
Winnipeg Jets 50/1
Calgary Flames 66/1
Carolina Hurricanes 66/1
Nashville Predators 66/1
New York Islanders 66/1
Florida Panthers 75/1
Buffalo Sabres 100/1
