The 2025 Stanley Cup Finals have only just come to an end, but already, sights are turning to the future and specifically, the 2025/26 NHL season. The Florida Panthers ended the most recent season just as they did the one before, by hoisting the championship high into the Sunshine State night sky. For the second straight year, the Cats knocked off a star-studded Edmonton Oilers side to claim the title, and now, they are about to embark upon a bid to become the league's newest dynasty.
Some would argue that the Panthers are already there. They have reached the Stanley Cup finals in each of the last three seasons, losing the first to the Vegas Golden Knights before beating the Oilers in back-to-back finals to secure their first pair of titles. With a stellar cast led by the likes of Sam Reinhart, Matthew Tkachuk, and Aaron Ekblad, sites offering hockey bets make the reigning champions the team to beat next season.
But just how clear are they in terms of the betting odds? And who are considered their closest rivals in the race for yet another title? Let's find out.
Florida Panthers
Websites accepting hockey bets online currently make the reigning champion Floridians a +650 favorite to complete a historic three-peat next term. If they are to live up to the billing, they will become the first team in over 40 years to claim three straight crowns.
Leading the way last term was the aforementioned Reinhart, who amassed 81 points throughout the course of the campaign before providing a further 23 in the playoffs. He was supported by the likes of Aleksander Barkov, Carter Verhaeghe, and Sam Tkachuk, all of whom chipped in with crucial supplementary support along the way.
Florida’s ability to score in waves proved lethal in the playoffs, but it was their resilience that stole the show. Much like in 2024, the Panthers looked in command of the finals series before Edmonton mounted an almighty comeback. This year, they surrendered a 2-1 lead to see the series tied at two wins apiece. But just as the Canadian outfit was thinking that 2025 would be their year, Florida pulled away, dominating in games five and six, with a four-goal display from Reinhart in the latter proving too hot to handle.
📈 TRENDING NOW
— Bodog (@BodogCA) June 18, 2025
Sam Reinhart had the game of his life with FOUR GOALS in a championship-clincher…
The Panthers are officially a dynasty! 🤯#TimeToHunt pic.twitter.com/or4yaXUKBP
Heading into the offseason, Florida’s roster faces inevitable attrition. Key defensive contributors Brandon Montour and Oliver Ekman-Larsson have departed, leaving gaps on their blue line. However, GM Bill Zito executed a meticulous strategy to keep the team’s foundation strong. The addition of Jeff Petry addresses defensive depth, while Daniil Tarasov’s arrival ensures goaltending stability behind Sergei Bobrovsky. Most notably, Zito locked in both Sam Reinhart and Sam Bennett with a pair of eight-year extensions worth a combined $133m.
Looking ahead to the new season, the Panthers retain all the ingredients of a dynasty in the making. Their core—Tkachuk, Barkov, Bobrovsky, and Reinhart—stands as the strongest in the league and by some distance. Florida will be chasing an elusive three-peat, a feat not achieved since the early 1980s.
Edmonton Oilers
For the Edmonton Oilers, the past two seasons have ended in agonizing disappointment, with a pair of Stanley Cup losses to Florida despite regular-season brilliance. Connor McDavid remains the undisputed best player in the world, evidenced by his otherworldly 64-goal, 153-point campaign last term. His partner in crime, Leon Draisaitl’s 126 points only reinforced his side's firepower, but the team’s lack of defensive cohesion and goaltending reliability proved fatal once again.
Determined to close the gap, new GM Stan Bowman is tackling the ongoing offseason with urgency. He has secured the services of both Viktor Arvidsson and Jeff Skinner, giving Edmonton much-needed secondary scoring options. On the backend, plans are still in motion to address defensive vulnerabilities, though no marquee names have yet been added. Perhaps the most significant move, however, was securing Draisaitl to a long-term extension worth $112 million—a financial commitment that underscores just how important the German is to the Rogers Center side.
Ultimately, the path to glory depends on achieving the elusive balance between star power and depth. While McDavid and Draisaitl almost guarantee regular-season dominance, the Oilers must solidify their goaltending situation and rely on the likes of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Evan Bouchard to support their superstars.
Carolina Hurricanes
The Carolina Hurricanes are no strangers to consistent contention, but their quest for the Stanley Cup remains unfinished. The 2024/25 season was another example of their strengths and shortcomings. With one of the league’s strongest defensive systems led by Jaccob Slavin, they suffocated opponents during the regular season. Offensively, Sebastian Aho continued to carry the load, and young winger Seth Jarvis flourished with a 62-point breakout year. Yet, in the postseason, their lack of a bona fide scorer saw them falter.
Determined to address their offensive shortcomings, the Rayleigh-based outfit has made waves this offseason. Signing Nikolaj Ehlers to a six-year deal brings game-changing speed and scoring depth, while trading for K’Andre Miller strengthens an already formidable blue line.
Now, with coach Rod Brind’Amour’s disciplined approach and a far more dynamic supporting cast, the Hurricanes are positioned to evolve from perennial contenders to legitimate threats. If Ehlers can deliver in the postseason and goaltending remains steady, Carolina may finally lift Lord Stanley’s Cup.