[h=1]Best 2014 Stanley Cup value bets[/h][h=3]Minnesota Wild top seven teams that offer great value[/h]By Sam Paolini | ESPN Insider
The Chicago Blackhawks raised the Stanley Cup on Monday night at 2013 preseason odds of 15-1, and not long after, Las Vegas and a few offshore books had the 2014 Stanley Cup odds posted. The Pittsburgh Penguins top the list of favorites to hoist the hardware next season at 5-1, followed closely by the defending champion Blackhawks at 6-1. Two big variables will play a role in how these odds shape up in the next three months: the 2013 NHL draft and the summer free-agency frenzy.
Putting those two components aside, we can really dig into which teams hold value at the current prices we are seeing. While a lot can change between now and the beginning of the season, what's most important when making futures bets is to look at teams that can put themselves in position to make the playoffs. Once teams are in the postseason, it is a lot easier to hedge off of the bet and make a profit regardless of who wins the Cup.
Here are my top value bets for the 2014 Stanley Cup:
Minnesota Wild (40-1)
Minnesota comes in at surprisingly high odds despite its improvement year over year. The additions of Ryan Suter and Zach Parise last offseason really helped solidify the Wild's core and despite being bounced in Round 1 by the eventual Stanley Cup champions, Minnesota accomplished a lot in a shortened season.
<offer>The addition of Jason Pominville at the trade deadline was an important one for this team offensively moving forward. Look for Minnesota to continue to gain chemistry as a unit with a full season ahead. The re-signing of goaltender Niklas Backstrom puts to bed any goaltending issues there may have been. With a consistent and strong defensive system, talented forwards up front and long odds, Minnesota offers up the most value on the board in the preseason.
Vancouver Canucks (12-1)
Vancouver hasn't lived up to expectations, plain and simple. General manager/president Mike Gillis finally had enough, and perhaps the biggest shakeup he could muster happened this offseason when he fired coach Alain Vigneault and hired ex-New York Rangers coach John Tortorella. Tortorella is exactly what the Canucks veterans need, as he won't tolerate complacency and will get maximum effort and results from his players in a short amount of time. Whether it is Roberto Luongo or Cory Schneider in net this season, expect the Canucks to finally exceed expectations.
Los Angeles Kings (16-1)
Los Angeles lost to a very talented Blackhawks team in the Western Conference finals this season and it appears the Kings will bring back a lot of the same players for the upcoming season. There is no reason to believe the Kings will take a step back, as they have arguably the best goaltender and team defense in the NHL. Their style of hockey is very attractive since they can beat you in a tight-checking defensive battle, and have offensive weapons in Dustin Brown, Mike Richards, Jeff Carter and Drew Doughty. Jonathan Quick is the key in net for Los Angeles, and with him in his prime the Kings are awfully tough. I'll take 16-1 on this team any day of the week.
Washington Capitals (30-1)
The biggest second-half resurgence of 2013 saw the Capitals steamroll through their schedule on their way to winning the Southeast Division. Despite the first-round playoff loss to the Rangers, the Capitals grew as a team with first-year coach Adam Oates behind the bench. Alex Ovechkin finally stepped up when the going got tough and was named the Hart Trophy winner for his efforts. As long as Ovechkin plays near the high level he did for the latter half of the season and the Capitals continue to see improvement between the pipes with Braden Holtby, they should be able to get into the playoffs.
One concern for the Capitals though is the division realignment, which will see them join the likes of the Penguins, Rangers and the Philadelphia Flyers. Gone are the days of beating up on the inferior Southeast Division teams. But at 30-1, I'm willing to back that they can make some noise come playoff time with a group of veteran players.
Toronto Maple Leafs (30-1)
Toronto finally turned the corner last season by making the playoffs for the first time since 2004. There have been rumblings about this roster, though, and it appears a few moves will be made before training camp opens. Toronto may have a great battle for its No. 1 goalie spot with the acquisition of Jonathan Bernier this week (he'll compete with James Reimer).
This team will more than likely be very different from what we see on paper right now, as GM Dave Nonis has made it clear that everyone is available to be traded. The Leafs have a lot of young talent in the AHL with their affiliate (Toronto Marlies) and we could see a lot of pieces move to get better, especially if the Maple Leafs are in contention around the trade deadline. Toronto has a lot of positives to build on and at 30-1 they give us great value.
Philadelphia Flyers (40-1)
The Flyers are a huge question mark at this point in the offseason. The buyouts of Daniel Briere and Ilya Bryzgalov put this team in a unique position. The Flyers still have a bunch of talent up front at forward and a great leader in Claude Giroux. If GM Paul Holmgren decides that this isn't a rebuilding year and they can find a capable goalie, then Philadelphia is a steal at 40-1.
Buffalo Sabres (100-1)
With a goaltender like Ryan Miller and a complete shakeup of the Sabres personnel, it's worth taking a shot with Buffalo at 100-1. New coach Ron Rolston has an entire season to make his mark on this brand new roster. I'm sure we'll see this number move down as the season progresses.
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The Chicago Blackhawks raised the Stanley Cup on Monday night at 2013 preseason odds of 15-1, and not long after, Las Vegas and a few offshore books had the 2014 Stanley Cup odds posted. The Pittsburgh Penguins top the list of favorites to hoist the hardware next season at 5-1, followed closely by the defending champion Blackhawks at 6-1. Two big variables will play a role in how these odds shape up in the next three months: the 2013 NHL draft and the summer free-agency frenzy.
Putting those two components aside, we can really dig into which teams hold value at the current prices we are seeing. While a lot can change between now and the beginning of the season, what's most important when making futures bets is to look at teams that can put themselves in position to make the playoffs. Once teams are in the postseason, it is a lot easier to hedge off of the bet and make a profit regardless of who wins the Cup.
Here are my top value bets for the 2014 Stanley Cup:
Minnesota Wild (40-1)
Minnesota comes in at surprisingly high odds despite its improvement year over year. The additions of Ryan Suter and Zach Parise last offseason really helped solidify the Wild's core and despite being bounced in Round 1 by the eventual Stanley Cup champions, Minnesota accomplished a lot in a shortened season.
<offer>The addition of Jason Pominville at the trade deadline was an important one for this team offensively moving forward. Look for Minnesota to continue to gain chemistry as a unit with a full season ahead. The re-signing of goaltender Niklas Backstrom puts to bed any goaltending issues there may have been. With a consistent and strong defensive system, talented forwards up front and long odds, Minnesota offers up the most value on the board in the preseason.
Vancouver Canucks (12-1)
Vancouver hasn't lived up to expectations, plain and simple. General manager/president Mike Gillis finally had enough, and perhaps the biggest shakeup he could muster happened this offseason when he fired coach Alain Vigneault and hired ex-New York Rangers coach John Tortorella. Tortorella is exactly what the Canucks veterans need, as he won't tolerate complacency and will get maximum effort and results from his players in a short amount of time. Whether it is Roberto Luongo or Cory Schneider in net this season, expect the Canucks to finally exceed expectations.
Los Angeles Kings (16-1)
Los Angeles lost to a very talented Blackhawks team in the Western Conference finals this season and it appears the Kings will bring back a lot of the same players for the upcoming season. There is no reason to believe the Kings will take a step back, as they have arguably the best goaltender and team defense in the NHL. Their style of hockey is very attractive since they can beat you in a tight-checking defensive battle, and have offensive weapons in Dustin Brown, Mike Richards, Jeff Carter and Drew Doughty. Jonathan Quick is the key in net for Los Angeles, and with him in his prime the Kings are awfully tough. I'll take 16-1 on this team any day of the week.
Washington Capitals (30-1)
The biggest second-half resurgence of 2013 saw the Capitals steamroll through their schedule on their way to winning the Southeast Division. Despite the first-round playoff loss to the Rangers, the Capitals grew as a team with first-year coach Adam Oates behind the bench. Alex Ovechkin finally stepped up when the going got tough and was named the Hart Trophy winner for his efforts. As long as Ovechkin plays near the high level he did for the latter half of the season and the Capitals continue to see improvement between the pipes with Braden Holtby, they should be able to get into the playoffs.
One concern for the Capitals though is the division realignment, which will see them join the likes of the Penguins, Rangers and the Philadelphia Flyers. Gone are the days of beating up on the inferior Southeast Division teams. But at 30-1, I'm willing to back that they can make some noise come playoff time with a group of veteran players.
Toronto Maple Leafs (30-1)
Toronto finally turned the corner last season by making the playoffs for the first time since 2004. There have been rumblings about this roster, though, and it appears a few moves will be made before training camp opens. Toronto may have a great battle for its No. 1 goalie spot with the acquisition of Jonathan Bernier this week (he'll compete with James Reimer).
This team will more than likely be very different from what we see on paper right now, as GM Dave Nonis has made it clear that everyone is available to be traded. The Leafs have a lot of young talent in the AHL with their affiliate (Toronto Marlies) and we could see a lot of pieces move to get better, especially if the Maple Leafs are in contention around the trade deadline. Toronto has a lot of positives to build on and at 30-1 they give us great value.
Philadelphia Flyers (40-1)
The Flyers are a huge question mark at this point in the offseason. The buyouts of Daniel Briere and Ilya Bryzgalov put this team in a unique position. The Flyers still have a bunch of talent up front at forward and a great leader in Claude Giroux. If GM Paul Holmgren decides that this isn't a rebuilding year and they can find a capable goalie, then Philadelphia is a steal at 40-1.
Buffalo Sabres (100-1)
With a goaltender like Ryan Miller and a complete shakeup of the Sabres personnel, it's worth taking a shot with Buffalo at 100-1. New coach Ron Rolston has an entire season to make his mark on this brand new roster. I'm sure we'll see this number move down as the season progresses.
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