Are the Colorado Avalanche a Good Bet to Win Back-to-Back Stanley Cups?

The Colorado Avalanche tore through the NHL last season. They finished in first place in the Western Conference by a mile, and then went 16-4 in the playoffs to claim their first Stanley Cup since 2001.

So now the question remains, can they do it again?

Let's take a look at the odds to win the Stanley Cup this season, and then dive into that question a little bit further.

2022-23 Stanley Cup Odds

Can Colorado Avalanche Win a Second Straight Stanley Cup?

The Avalanche lost more than they gained this offseason, so don't be surprised if we see a small step back from the Stanley Cup Champions.

They lost goaltender Darcy Kuemper, as well as Andre Burakovsky, and most notably in my opinion, Nazem Kadri.

Kadri plays one of the most important positions for a team's success, second line center. Most good teams will have an elite top line, but have depth on their second and third lines can be what separates a squad from the pack. Not only is Kadri one of the best second line centers in the league, but his unique skillset of strength and grit makes him a key asset for any team hoping to make a Stanley Cup run.

With that being said, the Avalanche still has their superstars, most notably, Nathan MacKinnon who signed the biggest deal in the NHL this offseason. He's everything you could ask for in a star player. The perfect mix of skilled, determined, hard-working, and a true leader. They will also be in contention with him on their roster.

At the end of the day, we also need to remember that the Western Conference is going through a phase of poor teams. The East is undoubtedly the stronger of the two conferences, so even if Colorado takes a step back this season, they should easily be one of the top seeds heading into the postseason.

Then, as we know, anything can happen once the playoffs begin. The experience that this roster will have will prove to be invaluable come time for a postseason push.

The short answer is yes, the Avalanche can certainly repeat as Stanley Cup champions. But, with that being said, I have no desire to bet on them at their current price of +350. Wait to see if they hit a slump during the season, which will provide a "buy low" opportunity for the defending champs.

You can track Iain's bets on Betstamp here.