It took the Florida Panthers 30 years to win their first Stanley Cup ever. They'll be betting favorites to do it again next year.
At sportsbooks across the nation, the Panthers are consensus favorites to win the NHL's top prize for the 2024-25 season, showing +900 odds at ESPN BET and several other major operations.
The Stanley Cup runner-up Edmonton Oilers are also among the top three choices across the marketplace, with 10-1 odds at ESPN BET.
Florida seeks to become the first repeat champion since the Tampa Bay Lightning (2019-20 and 2020-21), who entered that '20-21 season at +900 -- but not as the favorites.
If that price holds to opening night, it will tie the 2006-07 Ottawa Senators and 2023-24 Colorado Avalanche and Carolina Hurricanes for the longest odds for a preseason favorite since at least 1984, per SportsOddsHistory.com.
That speaks to the overall level of parity on display across the NHL. The Dallas Stars are tied with Florida for the odds lead at +900 at several major books, including ESPN BET, though Florida is the sole leader at FanDuel.
The Hurricanes (10-1) and Avalanche (12-1) are also lurking near the top.
The consensus longest odds to win next year's Cup belong to the San Jose Sharks, who own the No. 1 pick in the upcoming NHL draft and are widely expected to select Macklin Celebrini. They are 400-1 to win it all.
