NHL Preseason Ranking and Cup Odds

NHL Power Rankings Pre-Season.

The NHL Season is fast approaching so if you haven’t already made your NHL futures bets get them in now. Each team’s odds to win the Stanley Cup are included courtesy of Sportsbook.com.

1. Penguins – The champs get the number 1 slot by default but don’t expect Mario’s team to let up. Penguins odds to win the Stanley Cup – 6/1
2. Red Wings – Look for the Wings to tighten up the defense as they lost 90 goals to free agency.  Red Wings odds to win the Stanley Cup – 5/1
3. Sharks – The Sharks are good, yes number 2 good. If these were playoff rankings, I probably wouldn’t have typed that last sentence.  Sharks odds to win the Stanley Cup – 6/1
4. Blackhawks – Signing Marian Hossa ensures the Blackhawks will reach the Stanley Cup Finals. Of course, it also means they’ll lose in the Stanley Cup Finals. Blackhawks odds to win the Stanley Cup – 7/1
5. Flyers – The Flyers are a dangerous team; the 1970’s Broad Street Bullies were a dangerous team also, except we won’t see Simon Gagne fight a fan, Ray Emery maybe. Flyers odds to win the Stanley Cup – 10/1
6. Capitals – Coaching, Check, Offense, Check, Defense, Check, Goaltending, we’ll get back you.  Capitals odds to win the Stanley Cup – 10/1
7. Bruins – They traded Phil Kessel and reloaded for the season using their farm system. I say the B’s take a step back this year but Norris winner Zdeno Chara and Vezina winner Tim Thomas disagree with me. Bruins odds to win the Stanley Cup – 11/1
8. Flames – I for one am disappointed Theo Fluery won’t make the Flames line up, his passion for the game was unrivalled.  Flames odds to win the Stanley Cup – 18/1
9. Ducks – Ryan Getzlaf is incredible and he’s only 24. If the goaltending of Jean-Sebastien Giguere and Jonas Hiller holds up they could steal the Pacific division crown. Ducks odds to win the Stanley Cup – 18/1
10. Canucks – Mike Gillis wants a winner and he’s willing to spent Francesco Aquilini’s money to do it. Locking up Luongo and the Twins is a nice start.  Canucks odds to win the Stanley Cup – 18/1
11. Hurricanes – They won’t win a ton, but they won’t lose a ton either. They should be good for sixth in the East. Hurricanes odds to win the Stanley Cup – 25/1
12. Devils – Jacques Lemaire is back but the Devils are not as deep as those clubs that won 3 Stanley Cups. They will make the playoffs but won’t get out of the first round.  Devils odds to win the Stanley Cup – 25/1
13. Canadiens – The Habs celebrate their centennial this season. At least they can celebrate that because playoff wins are doubtful.  Canadiens odds to win the Stanley Cup – 30/1
14. Rangers – Henrik Lundqvist will keep them in a lot of games, they won’t win many but the Rangers will be in a lot of games.   Rangers odds to win the Stanley Cup – 30/1
15. Stars – It’s a new season, it has to be better than the last. Stars odds to win the Stanley Cup 35/1
16. Blues –They have Kariya, Johnson and Brewer back to start the season, their confidence should be sky high.  Blues odds to win the Stanley Cup – 40/1
17. Wild – Are you ready for some offense? Todd Richards wants to open up the offence but we’re not sure he has the guns to do it. The Wild’s odds to win the Stanley Cup – 40/1
18. Oilers – They are rebuilding and preparing for 2010. Oilers odds to win the Stanley Cup – 40/1
19. Sabres – Lindy Ruff is the longest serving coach in the NHL, there is a reason he’s held his job so long. He’ll have his Sabres in the playoffs this year. Sabres odds to win the Stanley Cup – 50/1
20. Lightning – The Lightning drafted well and added a few key free agents. If Vincent Lecavalier can rebound with a nice, season not a winning season but a nice one. Rick Tocchet is giving the Lightning – 60/1 odds to win the Stanley Cup.
21. Kings – The Kings have the playoffs on their minds and if they are on the outside looking in come April, there will be a coach, a GM and a load of players looking for a job.  Kings odds to win the Stanley Cup – 60/1
22. Panthers – I miss Scott Mellanby but not as much as the Panthers will miss Jay Bouwmeester. Panthers odds to win the Stanley Cup – 60/1
23. Senators –If this were a rising a falling chart, then Sens would be falling. Senators odds to win the Stanley Cup – 60/1
24. Predators – Barry Trotz gets the most out of a limited lineup, he’ll have to do it again this year if the Preds want to make it back to the playoffs.  Predators odds to win the Stanley Cup – 60/1
25. Blue Jackets – How bad will Steve Mason’s sophomore hurt the Blue Jackets? We say a lot. Blue Jackets odds to win the Stanley Cup – 60/1
26. Maple Leafs – They will punch your lights out.  Leafs odds to win the Stanley Cup – 60/1
27. Thrashers – The Thrashers will be exciting to watch, it will be a game of who scores last wins. Thrashers odds to win the Stanley Cup – 100/1
28. Islanders – Rookie John Tavares will be the highlight of the season for the Islanders.  Islanders odds to win the Stanley Cup – 100/1
29. Coyotes – Gretzky walked away, the team is bankrupt. On the bright side their might be another team in Canada.  Coyotes odds to win the Stanley Cup – 100/1
30. Avalanche – Thanks for the memories Joe.  Avalanche odds to win the Stanley Cup – 100/1