2026 Stanley Cup Odds, Predictions & Best Bets Ahead of Opening Night

• The 2025-26 NHL season drops the puck Tuesday, October 7th
• Carolina is the favorite to win the Stanley Cup over Tampa Bay
• See the odds for all 32 teams heading into the season and my pick to win plus a Presidents’ Trophy selection

The battle to be crowned Stanley Cup champion in 2025-26 is set to begin, with the Florida Panthers attempting to be the first team to three-peat since the Islanders won four in a row from 1980-83. Despite taking down the Oilers in back-to-back finals, Florida is not the favorite in the Stanley Cup odds – that goes to the Carolina Hurricanes.

What are the odds for all 32 teams to lift Lord Stanley in June? Below I’ll list the odds and offer up a selection that could skate away as champions in June, along with a Presidents’ Trophy champion.

2026 Stanley Cup Odds

Carolina, who last won the Stanley Cup in 2006, is the +750 favorite over Tampa Bay, who won two straight from 2020-21. Edmonton, who lost the last two years in the Final to Florida, is the third choice, followed by recent champions in Vegas (2023) and Colorado (2022).

Odds as of Oct. 6, 2025 at 9:45 pm ET at DraftKings Sportsbook.

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2026 Stanley Cup Pick

No team has won the Stanley Cup in three consecutive seasons since the New York Islanders in the 1980’s. Florida has made the Final in three consecutive seasons, winning the last two. At +1000 to win yet again, I see tremendous value, given that five teams have shorter odds.

Losing captain Aleksander Barkov for the season with a knee injury is obviously a huge blow to the team, and a big reason why they’re not the favorite on DraftKings – but should they still be? Fanduel has them as the favorite at +750, as does Caesars.

If he somehow is able to make it back for the postseason, which is a possibility, given the 7-9 month timeframe for recovery, I’d put nothing past the juggernaut that is the Panthers. I can’t ignore that +1000 price tag, in the same breath as the Kansas City Chiefs never being a bad selection to win a Super Bowl.

Stanley Cup Pick:

• Florida Panthers (+1000 at DraftKings)

2025-26 Presidents’ Trophy Winner Pick

I’m looking at a Western Conference squad who has been fantastic the last three seasons to lead the NHL in points – the Dallas Stars. They’ve done everything but win in recent years, with a Stanley Cup Final loss to Tampa Bay in 2020, and the last three seasons, they’ve bowed out in the Western Conference Finals.

Let’s not forget about the ridiculous playoff run trade deadline acquisition Mikko Rantanen had with Dallas, and the Stars now have a full year with him, which will aid in their quest to win their first Stanley Cup since 1999. From 2016-17 onwards, Rantanen’s first full NHL season, he’s top-10 in scoring, and the Stars have a wealth of riches on their team.

Much like with Florida to win the Cup at +1000 odds, there’s value with Dallas having longer odds than the top-four on the board for the Presidents’ Trophy. Keep one thing in mind though, if you’re expecting Dallas to double dip with having the most points in the regular season and then win the Cup – the last team to lift Lord Stanley after having the best regular season record were the Chicago Blackhawks way back in 2013.

Presidents’ Trophy Pick:

• Dallas Stars (+1000 at DraftKings)