Which longshot teams could win title?
There are a handful of teams that could be considered favorites to win the Stanley Cup title next season, but who are a few teams that are being overlooked and might be worthy of a bet?
Chicago Blackhawks
It was a frustrating 2017-18 campaign for the Blackhawks as they lost goaltender Corey Crawford for the season and had other injury issues, while going through the motions and eventually missing out of the postseason. But with Crawford healthy again plus star power in forwards Patrick Kane plus Jonathan Toews, there is still a window open for Chicago to turn it around. One player to watch is right winger Alex DeBrincat, who totaled 28 goals and 24 assists as a 20-year-old and should be primed for an even bigger season. Kane paced the Blackhawks with 27 goals and 49 assists, but finished the season at minus-20. If Crawford can have a big comeback season and Chicago’s veterans find their focus, don’t count out the Blackhawks. Our NHL Future Odds Page shows that Chicago has 28/1 odds to win the Stanley Cup.
Minnesota Wild
The Wild always seem to be in the mix, but can never push past it. But the argument can be made that if you make the playoffs, you have a fighter’s chance. Minnesota has made the playoffs the last six years, but have been bounced in the first round the last three years. Could this be the season the Wild make their deep run? Minnesota has a solid veteran goalie in Devan Dubnyk, Center Eric Staal led a veteran roster with 42 goals and 34 assists in 2017-18, while Mikael Granlund contributed 21 goals and 46 assists. Look for the Wild to have another playoff appearance in them and all bets are off once they qualify. The Wild have 30/1 odds to win the title.
Colorado Avalanche
The Avs made the playoffs for the first time in four seasons last year, but were bounced by top seed Nashville. The promising part is that Colorado kept the series competitive from game to game and did so without injured goalie Semyon Varlamov. With its starting goalie back, that alone should make Colorado a better team. The Avalanche have a quality young core that continues to improve, led by Nathan MacKinnon (39 goals, 58 assists). He had three goals and three assists in the six-game series with the Predators. Also playing major roles for the Avs are Mikko Rantanen (29 goals, 55 assists) and Gabriel Landeskog (25 goals, 37 assists). Colorado is a true longshot, but as a team that should continue to improve next season there are worse bets out there.