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2017 NHL futures odds announced

By Jeff Glauser

Jun 12, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) hoists the Stanley Cup after defeating the San Jose Sharks in game six of the 2016 Stanley Cup Final at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 12, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) hoists the Stanley Cup after defeating the San Jose Sharks in game six of the 2016 Stanley Cup Final at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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With the draft wrapped up, free agency in full swing and the city of Pittsburgh still basking in another Stanley Cup hangover, it’s still not too soon for gamblers to look ahead.

And that’s exactly what the bookmakers have done, recently releasing its 2017 futures odds.

Perhaps of little surprise is the defending champion Penguins being a consensus favorite to repeat. Bovada gives them the best odds to win it all at +800.

Fellow Metropolitan Division foe and reigning President’s Trophy winner Washington Capitals have the next best odds, along with perennial powerhouse Chicago Blackhawks, which both stand at +1000.

Reigning conference points leader St. Louis Blues came in with the fourth best chances at +1200 (although losing forward Troy Brouwer in free agency to the Calgary Flames certainly won’t help matters), followed by Cup finalist San Jose Sharks, Eastern Conference finalist Tampa Bay Lightening, and the Los Angeles Kings, who all sit at +1400.

Noted sports betting analytics site SportsbookReview.com highlighted several early picks, including the Lightening (locking in Steven Stamkos for eight years certainly won’t hurt matters) and Anaheim Ducks (+1600), who are coming off a disappointing first-round exit which led to the firing of coach Bruce Boudreau. However, new coach Randy Carlyle—returning for his second stint—will be inheriting a cache of talent.

The site also pointed to the upstart Florida Panthers (+2500), who won the Atlantic Division with 103 points last season, and Nashville Predators (+1800), who recently landed  stud defender P.K. Subban in a blockbuster trade for Shea Weber, as two sleepers to consider.

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