It really is too bad there were no betting props like “Will the Stanley Cup get dented” or “Will Bud Light sponsor a player” a week ago. You could’ve made some easy money. No, the lone bets that exist right now are ones that involve a little bit more know-how.
The good news is that these futures bets offer a plethora of options and payouts. You can finally scratch that itch and jump on your hunch, or try and play it smart and go with the usual suspects.
Sports Interaction is going hard to the hoop on futures bets this off-season. Let’s jump on the most common one first and then go a little off the board. The first of the two glaring questions they’re asking is: “Who will win the Stanley Cup next season?” That’s a little paraphrased mind you, but you get the idea.
The favourites are the Colorado Avalanche (+513), Vegas Golden Knights (+615) and Tampa Bay Lightning (+653). In the middle of the pack, you’ll find the Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Rangers (+2400) along with the Washington Capitals and Calgary Flames (+3100). Then at the bottom of the pack, we say hello to the Arizona Coyotes (+12800), Detroit Red Wings (+19600) and the lowly Buffalo Sabres (+20800). There’s a nice array of options, right? So let’s investigate further.
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Best bets to win the Cup
Your best bet, of course, is the Avalanche. They were bounced far too early as everything came off the rails against Vegas in the playoffs. They were cruising up to that point with a first round sweep, the highest goals for (by a landslide) and nothing but confidence oozing off them.
Somewhere and somehow something took a turn and we all know what happened next. Rest assured they’ll be back, though, and their odds likely won’t get any better than this. Just giving you a heads up.
Now, the reigning back-to-back Stanley Cup champion Lightning are a different story. They’re likely going to have a very different look come October. They are pressed against the cap, there’s quite a few bodies headed to unrestricted free agency and they’re coming off a much longer year than most. Their payout will likely increase if you wait a little while given the looming departures, lack of draft capital and scarce spending dough this summer.
In other words, they’re not the strongest pick of the litter.
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Value picks to win the Cup
When it comes to value picks, you want to find a team that has a great shot at impressing, but also still pays decently. The ones that come to mind on the big board here are the New York Islanders (+2300) and the Dallas Stars (+3500).
The Islanders are in the conversation based on the fact they were 60 minutes away from the Stanley Cup Final. They pushed every team they played to the limit and looked sharp throughout — despite their 8-0 loss to Tampa in the Conference Final.
The Isles have one of (if not the) best young rosters in the league and a solid free agency period may just land them the final piece to their winning puzzle.
As for the Stars, sure we can chalk an asterisk next to any team’s 2020 Bubble Cup performance, but the Dallas was in the Stanley Cup Final just one year ago. They had a down year, but this team has a very strong young nucleus and general manager Jim Nill is always aggressive in free agency. No to mention, he also has a boat load of cap to work with.
The Stars really aren’t that far off from being right back in the conversation again and they could be a solid pick with a strong payout next season.
Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) gets a pat on the head from teammate Adam Lowry (17) after their overtime NHL Stanley Cup playoff hockey loss to the Montreal Canadiens, in Montreal, Monday, June 7, 2021. (Ryan Remiorz/CP)
Long shots to win the Cup
In terms of long shots, there’s a few you could look at. Basically, for a “long shot” pick you want to look at a team with extenuating circumstances the year prior.
Sure, you could throw dough at a one-off miracle run and somehow get lucky. The odds are better, though, by finding a team that had a down year based on some variables — or no year at all. Enter the Winnipeg Jets (+4000), Seattle Kraken (+4800) and Los Angeles Kings (+5700).
Injuries stalled the Jets, who have a very talented young group and are backstopped by one of the best tenders in the league. A full season against teams that don’t call Canada home will do them a world of good as well.
The Kraken could likely pull a Golden Knights-style run of 2017-18. As opposed to the rules of yesteryear, the “new” expansion structure allows new franchises to get a running start and the Kraken have some very wise hockey minds behind the scenes.
Then we come to the Kings. They do have an aging core but did just add former Nashville stud Viktor Arvidsson for next to nothing and are expected to be major players this summer. They’ve got plenty of cap room and will be very hungry when the free agency window opens.
Canada’s best best to win it all
Oh yes, there’s a bet for that.
You can select the next Canadian team to win it all and add it on as a sweetener to your current futures bet.
If you decide to jump on the Toronto Maple Leafs – the Canadian favourite – you can add +125 to your 2022 Stanley Cup futures tally. If you decide Montreal is in line for a better showing this coming year, you’ll find them listed at +1600 in the Cup futures and +275 in the Canadian futures.
Your other value plays are the Edmonton Oilers (+333), the Calgary Flames (+550) and the Jets (+800).
Sorry Ottawa and Vancouver, but outside of the teams listed above…you should probably save your money.
