There’s always next year, Edmonton Oilers fans.
That is surely the last thing they want to hear after their team lost in the Stanley Cup Final to the Florida Panthers for the second consecutive season. But at least Las Vegas likes the Oilers’ overall outlook for the 2025-26 campaign.
After all, they are listed as the favorites to take home the 2026 Stanley Cup on DraftKings Sportsbook at +650 (bet $100 to win $650). But that might mean yet another showdown with the Panthers, as the two-time reigning champions check in with the second-best odds at +700.
That tandem is followed by the Dallas Stars, Carolina Hurricanes and Colorado Avalanche in the top five:
Next season will surely bring some urgency for Edmonton. Much of that urgency will be natural after losing in the Final to the same team for a second straight year, but some of it will also come because transcendent star and franchise cornerstone Connor McDavid is signed through just the 2025-26 campaign.
While the Oilers will undoubtedly want to sign him to an extension, perhaps he will want to look elsewhere if they fall short of the Stanley Cup yet again.
After all, it is the only thing missing from his illustrious resume and something that could hold him back in discussions about the greatest players in NHL history.
But as long as he and Leon Draisaitl are in the lineup, Edmonton will be on the short list of favorites entering any season.
And it is the top favorite for 2025-26.
