Maple Leafs Among Top 4 in Opening 2020 Stanley Cup Odds

• Following a second straight 100-point campaign, the Toronto Maple Leafs have opened among the favorites on the Stanley Cup odds
• With major contract talks looming, and minimal salary cap space, the Maple Leafs enter a summer of uncertainty
• The Tampa Bay Lightning open as the favorites to win the 2020 Stanley Cup despite an early playoff exit

As the NHL season draws to a close, a summer of uncertainty begins for the Toronto Maple Leafs. With several key players set to become restricted free agents, and the club facing a salary cap crunch, the Maple Leafs’ roster could be in for a major overhaul. But that has not dampened Toronto’s strong position on the 2020 Stanley Cup odds, with the Maple Leafs opening among the favorites at +1000.

2020 Stanley Cup Odds

*Odds taken 06/13/19. Click on the link in the table above to see odds for all teams.

Leafs Face Summer of Uncertainty Following Disappointing Campaign

The Maple Leafs opened this past season amid high expectations. The offseason addition of free agent center John Tavares following a franchise-record 49-win campaign lifted the team to the top of the Stanley Cup odds, and buoyed the hopes of long-suffering Toronto hockey fans, who have not seen the Maple Leafs reach the Stanley Cup Final since their last Cup victory in 1967.

The #StLBlues have ended their 52-year #StanleyCup drought.

Five longest active droughts now:

? Maple Leafs – 52 years
? Sabres – 48 years
? Canucks – 48 years
? Flyers – 44 years
? Coyotes/Jets – 39 years#TSNHockey pic.twitter.com/lxRKGBLim0

— TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) June 13, 2019

But while the Maple Leafs responded with a 100-point campaign, marking the first time in franchise history that the club has reached that milestone in consecutive seasons, yet another playoff failure could signal change is on the horizon in the center of the hockey universe.

Mitch Marner is expected to command a raise comparable to Auston Matthews, who recently signed a five-year deal with a cap hit of $11.6 million.

The biggest task facing general manager Kyle Dubas this summer will be getting Mitch Marner inked to a long-term deal. The 22-year-old enjoyed a breakthrough season, leading the team with 94 points. And with his entry-level contract set to expire on July 1st, the Markham, Ontario native is expected to command a raise comparable to Auston Matthews, who recently signed a five-year deal with a cap hit of $11.6 million.

Cap Crunch Leaves Dubas with Tough Decisions

Kasperi Kapanen and Andreas Johnsson are also set to become RFAs, while a trio of defensemen will soon be eligible for unrestricted free agency, including Jake Gardiner and Ron Hainsey.

With a mere $8.79 million in cap space available, Dubas will have to make some tough choices, including parting ways with popular veteran Patrick Marleau and his hefty $6.25 million cap hit. Nazem Kadri, Connor Brown, and Zach Hyman have also been the subject of trade speculation, while rearguard Nikita Zaitsev has gone public with his desire to get a fresh start elsewhere in the NHL.

Per @CapFriendly, if cap is $83 million next year, Leafs will have $11,094,301 in cap space with just 14 guys under contract and RFAs Marner, Kapanen, Johnsson to sign. Should be INTERESTING

— Matt Larkin (@THNMattLarkin) February 5, 2019

In addition, head coach Mike Babcock has been a lightning rod for criticism following the Maple Leafs’ first-round playoff exit, robbing him of the job security that he has enjoyed since taking over the reins behind the bench in 2015.

The Maple Leafs maintain a strong core. Defenseman Morgan Rielly enjoyed serious Norris Trophy consideration while tallying a career-high 72 points, and Frederik Andersen remains among the NHL’s elite goaltenders. However, with so much uncertainty facing the club, it is tough to get behind the Maple Leafs as a betting favorite to win the Stanley Cup next season.

Capitals Offer Best Value in the East

The same is true for the Tampa Bay Lightning. Opening as +800 chalk on the Stanley Cup odds in one sportsbook, the Lightning have vaulted to a short +600 favorite on the NHL futures despite their stunning first-round playoff loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. But like Toronto, the Lightning also face a salary cap squeeze, with less than $9 million in cap space available to sign seven players, including pending RFA Brayden Point, who is coming off a 92-point season.

So far this season, only three #Lightning forwards are averaging over 1.00 PPG. Yanni Gourde is one of them, along with Kucherov & Point.

Brayden Point is also on an expiring contract, and will be an RFA without Arb rights on July 1.https://t.co/67HxFYE3e1 pic.twitter.com/Kyn4bw0VOP

— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) November 2, 2018

Just one year removed from their first-ever Stanley Cup victory, the Washington Capitals have opened as an intriguing +2000 wager on the Stanley Cup odds. After suffering a stunning first-round playoff loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, the Capitals will return to action next season well rested, and with lots to prove.

As teams switch their focus to the off season & start building their rosters for the 2019-20 season, here's a snapshot of where each club currently stands in terms of Projected Cap Space, Roster Size (broken down by position), Total Contracts, and Avg Agehttps://t.co/nXfmDT1fO4 pic.twitter.com/vOmGn6sZ4r

— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) June 13, 2019

Unlike contenders like Toronto and Tampa Bay, the Capitals’ core is set for next season. And although Washington has just $10 million in available cap space to ink eight players, they face no major RFA negotiations this summer, ensuring an enviable level of continuity, and making them the best value bet among contenders in the NHL’s Eastern Conference.

Pick: Washington Capitals (+2000)