The 2024 NHL season has wound down to its end and what a thrilling campaign it was. All year long it was Connor McDavid and his Edmonton Oilers that were considered the favourites, and they looked as though they would live up to the billing as they reached their first Stanley Cup playoffs since the days of Wayne Gretzky. However, unfortunately for them, they came up against a Florida Panthers side that was determined to secure redemption for last year’s defeat.
In 2023, the Floridians shocked everybody as they made it to the championship series as wild cards, knocking off the record-setting Boston Bruins in the process. This time around, they were determined to go one step further and they ultimately did exactly that, hoisting the giant trophy above their collective head with an exhilarating 4-3 series victory against the Oilers. Now, attention has turned toward next year, and the bookies have already priced up their early favourites for the crown.
Edmonton Oilers
All season long, the Edmonton Oilers were the favourites for the Stanley Cup, and the 2024/25 campaign looks to be no different, with the latest NHL betting odds making them the frontrunners at 83/10 for glory. The Canadian outfit has become a formidable force in recent years, largely due to the extraordinary performances of the aforementioned McDavid and the Robin to his Batman, Leon Draisaitl.
The former of that heavyweight duo is widely considered the best player in the world and has been for some time. In the recent postseason, he managed to knock off one of the best players in the history of Ohio ice hockey as he masterminded a series victory against JT Miller’s Vancouver Canucks. But unfortunately, that was as good as it would get. The Oilers managed to reach the Stanley Cup finals, but they were ultimately defeated in seven and they will be hoping that they can end their Stanley Cup drought in 2025.
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WE ARE STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS!!!! pic.twitter.com/Yr17FW7AhM
— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) June 25, 2024Florida Panthers
Coming in with odds of 19/2, the reigning champion Florida Panthers are another serious contender. After reaching the last two showpiece series back-to-back and winning at the second time of asking, it would take a brave punter to bet against them keeping up their momentum with yet another solid showing. Led by Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk, the Amerant Bank Arena outfit boasts an attack that can challenge any defence in the league. The former’s two-way play and the latter’s physicality and scoring touch make them a nightmare for opposition defences throughout the league.
The Panthers’ depth is another key strength. With players like Carter Verhaeghe and Sam Reinhart stepping up, the team isn’t solely reliant on its stars. Their defence, anchored by Aaron Ekblad and Brandon Montour, provides a good mix of offensive flair and defensive solidity. That led them to the crown this season, and they will be hoping for a third straight trip to the finals next season en route to securing dynasty-like status.
Dallas Stars
With odds of 101/10, the Dallas Stars round out our list of early favourites. The Lone Star State outfit has been one of the most consistent teams in the recently concluded campaign, showcasing a blend of veteran leadership and youthful exuberance. Jason Robertson has emerged as one of the league’s premier scorers, while Miro Heiskanen continues to impress with his smooth skating and defensive prowess. They combined to lead the Stars to the conference finals, where they were ultimately beaten by the Oilers despite taking a 2-1 series lead, and they will be on the hunt to go even further next season.
Who Will Reign Supreme?
All three of these sides have very real hopes of finishing next season as the champion, as do the likes of the Vegas Golden Knights and the New Jersey Devils. It remains to be seen as to who ultimately emerges victorious, but one thing that is for certain is that we will all be tuning in when the new campaign gets underway this fall.
