Steve Starr
- 2023 Stanley Cup futures favor the Colorado Avalanche (+400) to repeat as champions
- The Tampa Lightning (+900) and Toronto Maple Leafs (+900) are the chalk picks in the Eastern Conference
- The 2022 NHL Draft is scheduled for July 7 while Free Agency begins on July 13
The Avalanche won the team’s first Stanley Cup since 2001 on Sunday night, dethroning the two-time champion Tampa Bay Lightning in six games. With a young team headed by superstar center Nathan MacKinnon and 2022 Conn Smythe winner, Cale Makar, it’s no surprise to see Colorado favored to capture a second-straight title next season.
Who will host Lord Stanley in 2023? Before we examine the contenders, check out the top betting sites for NHL hockey in 2022 and find smart wagering tips in our Stanley Cup betting guide.
2023 Stanley Cup
 |  |
|
| Colorado Avalanche | +400 | +400 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | +775 | +900 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | +900 | +800 |
| Florida Panthers | +1000 | +1000 |
| Carolina Hurricanes | +1400 | +1400 |
| New York Rangers | +1400 | +2000 |
| Vegas Golden Knights | +1400 | +1400 |
| Boston Bruins | +1800 | +2200 |
| Calgary Flames | +1800 | +1800 |
| Edmonton Oilers | +2000 | +1800 |
| Minnesota Wild | +2000 | +1800 |
| St. Louis Blues | +2000 | +2200 |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | +2200 | +2000 |
| Dallas Stars | +3500 | +4500 |
| Los Angeles Kings | +3500 | +4500 |
| New York Islanders | +3500 | +3500 |
| Washington Capitals | +3500 | +3500 |
| Winnipeg Jets | +4000 | +6000 |
| Nashville Predators | +5000 | +5500 |
| Vancouver Canucks | +5000 | +4500 |
| Montreal Canadiens | +6600 | +15000 |
| Ottawa Senators | +6600 | +7500 |
| Philadelphia Flyers | +7500 | +6000 |
| Anaheim Ducks | +8000 | +7500 |
| San Jose Sharks | +8000 | +10000 |
| Buffalo Sabres | +10000 | +5000 |
| Chicago Blackhawks | +10000 | +10000 |
| Columbus Blue Jackets | +10000 | +10000 |
| Detroit Red Wings | +10000 | +5000 |
| New Jersey Devils | +10000 | +7500 |
| Seattle Kraken | +10000 | +10000 |
| Arizona Coyotes | +25000 | +50000 |
Top Contenders for Cup
The Avalanche (+400) are in excellent shape to repeat with MacKinnon, Makar, Gabriel Landeskog, Mikko Rantanen and Devon Toews all coming back next season. While Jared Bednar’s club will likely lose at least one of Nazem Kadri, Valeri Nichushkin and Darcy Kuemper in free agency, general manager Joe Sakic is more than capable of filling out the roster after delivering a third Cup to the good people of Colorado.
After falling two wins short of becoming the NHL’s first three-peat champions since the early 1980s New York Islanders dynasty, the Lightning (+900) should again be in the mix with a healthy Brayden Point rejoining the championship corps of Victor Hedman, Andrei Vasilevskiy, Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov.
🎶Nobody likes you when you're twenty-three🎶
Don't believe that applies to @Cmakar8. Right, @Avalanche fans? #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/N4MVLYNEuZ
— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) June 27, 2022
The Maple Leafs (+900) haven’t won a playoff series since 2004. With 2022 Hart Trophy winner Auston Matthews scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent after just two more seasons, the pressure will be on in Toronto next year.
Florida (+900) replaced interim coach Andrew Brunette with veteran bench boss Paul Maurice following their second-round sweep at the hands of Tampa. While the reigning Presidents’ Trophy winners may not have the cap space for trade-deadline acquisition Claude Giroux, they’ll be among the league’s top teams either way.
Potential Rebound?
The Golden Knights (+1400) brought in Bruce Cassidy after the former Bruins coach was unceremoniously fired following a first-round exit. With a full year of Jack Eichel and Mark Stone, Vegas should once again be a top team in the Western Conference after missing the postseason for the first time in franchise history.
Among the tasks given to new coach Bruce Cassidy, fixing Vegas’ man advantage — which ranked 25th in the league this season — has to be considered the top priority out of the gates.https://t.co/dqddpZTzMf
— Las Vegas Weekly (@lasvegasweekly) June 27, 2022
Danger ahead!
Do not dare wager on the Flames (+1800) until unrestricted free agent Johnny Gaudreau re-signs on the dotted line. After a spectacular 115-point season, there’s a very real possibility that the 28-year-old American leaves the Flames high and dry this July.
And while Patrice Bergeron will be back for one more season with Boston (+2200), the Bruins could be hard-pressed to even make the playoffs with Brad Marchand and Charlie McAvoy both scheduled to miss significant time following offseason surgeries.
We’re now just over two weeks from free agency.
So what happens if the #Flames don’t re-sign Johnny Gaudreau? Here are a few potential outcomes. https://t.co/DnFitmMnrL
— Pat Steinberg (@Fan960Steinberg) June 28, 2022
Best Bet
The New York Rangers (+2000) are loaded with young, premium talent including 2021 Norris Trophy winner Adam Fox, who is the closest thing to Cale Makar in the National Hockey League. Coming off an impressive run to the Eastern Conference Final, Gerard Gallant’s club could easily make another jump next season.
See below the top sportsbooks where you can wager online and choose the best one for you:
