Islanders' Stanley Cup Odds Take Massive Jump Before NHL Free Agency Begins

After a disappointing 2022 campaign saw the New York Islanders miss the playoffs for the first time in three seasons, the front office has made improvement a priority.

The Islanders already fired head coach Barry Trotz and acquired defenseman Alexander Romanov from the Montreal Canadiens, but their latest odds movement suggests a busy offseason is ahead.

Islanders' Stanley Cup Odds

This screenshot shows considerable movement in the market and that there are some believers in the Isles. Sitting at +3000 to win the 2023 Stanley Cup over at WynnBET Sportsbook, the Islanders have the 14th-best odds in the NHL to win the championship.

They haven't won the Stanley Cup since 1983, but such a dramatic change in odds this early in the offseason indicates sportsbooks expect a big step forward from the franchise.

By acquiring young talent like Romanov, New York is trying to get faster with room for growth. Noah Dobson had a breakout campaign last season and by pairing him with a youthful player in Romanov that still has strong playoff experience, the Islanders are building a foundation fans can get excited about.

There's a long way to go before the regular season gets underway, which gives general manager Lou Lamoriello plenty of time to continue shaping out a quicker, more versatile roster. They've been tied to free agent Johnny Gaudreau and are likely to pursue offensive upgrades after shoring up an already stout defense.

If you think the Islanders will continue to improve throughout the offseason, those +3000 odds at WynnBET are worth a long look. In any case, this is a franchise to watch closely over the next few months.

Follow all of Joe Summers' betting picks here.