Oilers Lead Canada’s Charge for the Cup – Again
Following a pair of gruelling playoff runs that ended in despair, it would be understandable to count the Edmonton Oilers out from making a third run – but that’s not how the NHL odds see it.
On the eve of the 2025/26 season, the Oilers slot in second on the odds board, with the second shortest odds to win the Stanley Cup at +800* – just a touch behind the favourite Carolina Hurricanes, at +750.
Edmonton again represents Canada’s best hope of returning the Cup to its home, and notched arguably its biggest win of the season before puck drop, with Connor McDavid agreeing to a contract extension after a summer of handwringing.
Toronto Maple Leafs
After back-to-back Stanley Cup Final trips, led by the best player in the world, the Oilers are no strangers to pressure. Neither are the Maple Leafs, whose existence in the Toronto pressure cooker hasn’t aided their own efforts in recent years.
Despite another early round exit a year ago, the Leafs sit just inside the top 10 in Stanley Cup odds at +1700. The core four is no more, with much-maligned local star Mitch Marner off to Vegas – but the same rabid intensity will follow the Buds as they look to finally break through.
Beyond Canada's two best returning hopes, a trio of outfits north of the border enter the season with genuine hopes of an extended playoff run.
Winnipeg Jets
Fresh off a Presidents' Trophy-winning campaign that came to an unceremonious end in the postseason, the Jets slot in 11th on the board, at +2500. Backstopped by now-three-time Vezina-winner – and reigning Hart Trophy winner – Connor Hellebuyck, Winnipeg is at least primed for another regular season stocked with wins.
Ottawa Senators
Rounding out the group of five is a pair of teams set to take advantage of the Panthers' injury crisis and ascend in the Atlantic Division. The Senators, who returned to the postseason last year after an eight-year drought, continue to trend in the right direction and enter the year at +3000.
Montreal Canadiens
The Canadiens, meanwhile, are as well-stocked for the future as any team across the NHL. With such considerable youth throughout their lineup, they head into the season a distant +5,000 – but could vault into contention should simmering trade rumours around Sidney Crosby reach a boil and lead No. 87 to his childhood team.
With at least five viable potential contenders, the 2025/26 NHL season is set to be another in which Canada’s Cup drought faces serious threat, following back-to-back years of oh-so-close.
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*Odds as of October 6, 2025.