The Nashville Predators, as usual, are getting no love from the oddsmakers.
The Nashville Predators lost to the team that basically came in second in the NHL. After a seven-game series loss to the San Jose Sharks who then went on to the Stanley Cup finals, you would think that the Preds would get a little more attention.
We’ve seen articles recently mentioning that the Nashville Predators are a team to watch for next season. But they have been set as no better than the 10th best team. At least according to the betting odds, that is.
Bovada released its initial odds to win the 2017 Stanley Cup and as per the “experts,” the Nashville Predators are an 18/1 shot to win the Stanley Cup in 2017. That ties them with Detroit, Minnesota, and the New York Rangers.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are the favorites at 8/1, followed by the Chicago Blackhawks and Washington Capitals at 10/1. The NHL hasn’t seen a repeat champion in the salary cap era, which began in 2005-06. The last team to accomplish it was the Detroit Red Wings in 1997 and 1998. The Penguins actually won back-to-back Stanley Cups in 1991 and 1992, not that it gives them a better chance next season.
There are still an awful lot of things that can happen between now and the start of the season. Many teams have salary cap issues and Free Agent contracts to sign. There are rookies and prospects that could help teams.
St. Louis and Chicago both have Salary Cap and Free Agent problems. Is that enough for the Nashville Predators to catch up to them. Dallas is another team with an issue. How are they going to fit another good goaltender on that team? It sure looks like their two-headed monster wasn’t enough.
The Pittsburgh Penguins, who just won the Cup this season, are already considered the favorites to do it again next year, at 8/1 odds. They also are going to have to do some wheeling and dealing to get everyone back on board.
Here’s the full list of odds:
Odds to win the 2017 Stanley Cup:
Pittsburgh – 8/1
Chicago – 10/1
Washington – 10/1
St. Louis – 12/1
Los Angeles – 14/1
San Jose – 14/1
Tampa Bay – 14/1
Anaheim – 16/1
Dallas – 16/1
Nashville – 18/1
Minnesota – 18/1
Detroit – 18/1
New York Rangers – 18/1
Montreal – 20/1
New York Islanders – 20/1
Boston – 25/1
Florida – 25/1
Philadelphia – 25/1
Colorado – 33/1
Calgary – 40/1
Edmonton – 40/1
Ottawa – 40/1
Arizona – 50/1
Carolina – 50/1
Columbus – 50/1
New Jersey – 50/1
Vancouver – 50/1
Winnipeg – 50/1
Buffalo – 66/1
Toronto – 66/1
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Actually, we believe that the Preds odds were much worse last season. It just surprises us that we aren’t higher than Minnesota and Detroit. Those teams both seem to have more problems than the Predators at this point.
If you think that the Predators odds should be better and you happen to be in Las Vegas or have an offshore account, now might be the time to drop a few shekels on the Preds. We think that there is a better chance that their odds will go down as opposed to up.
Remember that even though the odds are set by professionals, they move by what the public thinks. That is the biggest reason that Chicago’s odds are so low.
Next: How Will Expansion Affect the Preds
It’s sure going to be an interesting offseason. We can hardly wait for October.