2026 Stanley Cup odds: Panthers co-favorites to win 3rd straight title

While champagne is still drying in the Florida Panthers' dressing room, it's time to look at who's most likely to be celebrating this time next year.

And believe it or not, the back-to-back Stanley Cup champions aren't the lone favorites to win a third straight title. The Panthers share the top position on the oddsboard at theScore Bet/ESPN Bet with the Colorado Avalanche and the Edmonton Oilers, whom they beat in the final for a second consecutive year.

The Panthers would likely be the clear favorite if not for some looming questions heading into free agency. Conn Smythe winner Sam Bennett is the biggest uncertainty and would be difficult to replace if the Panthers can't retain him. Brad Marchand, a deadline acquisition and huge playoff contributor, and Aaron Ekblad are also set to test the open market.

Still, the core of the Panthers' budding dynasty remains in place. Captain Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk will return, as will Sergei Bobrovsky, who turns 37 before next season. And thanks to their championship pedigree and tax-friendly market, the Panthers shouldn't have issues attracting marquee free agents if they lose Bennett and Co.

Stanley Cup odds

The Oilers will always be a threat as long as Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are donning the uniform. However, they have massive question marks on the defensive side of the ice, particularly between the pipes, where the combo of Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard simply wasn't good enough to win the Cup.

The Colorado Avalanche fall into a similar bucket. They're a perennial contender with Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar on the roster. The Avalanche did well replacing Mikko Rantanen at the deadline, but they'll have to get creative this offseason to bolster their roster, as they have the lowest projected cap space entering the 2025-26 season, according to Spotrac.com.

Aside from a surprising blockbuster trade, free agency will have the greatest impact on the odds between now and next season. Mitch Marner is the biggest name testing free agency, and where he lands could affect the team's Stanley Cup odds. It may also hurt the Toronto Maple Leafs if they can't - from the betting market's perspective - adequately replace Marner's production.