The NHL prides itself on parity, but the Boston Bruins cruised to the Presidents’ Trophy in 2022-23, posting a single-season league record for both wins (65) and points (135).
However, with the retirement of Patrice Bergeron and the inevitable step back from the Bruins, a new team will likely be crowned Presidents’ Trophy winners this upcoming season.
Let’s dive into the latest NHL Presidents’ Trophy odds, pick out a best bet selection, and discuss some favorites, contenders, and sleeper picks along the way.
Presidents’ Trophy Odds 2023-24
NHL odds used for these Presidents’ Trophy best bets are current as of Saturday, July 29, and courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook.
- Carolina Hurricanes (+700)
- New Jersey Devils (+750)
- Colorado Avalanche (+1000)
- Edmonton Oilers (+1000)
- Toronto Maple Leafs (+1200)
- Boston Bruins (+1200)
- Vegas Golden Knights (+1200)
- Dallas Stars (+1200)
- Tampa Bay Lightning (+1800)
- New York Rangers (+1800)
- Los Angeles Kings (+2000)
- Florida Panthers (+2200)
- Minnesota Wild (+2800)
- Seattle Kraken (+3000)
- Buffalo Sabres (+3000)
The above odds are a truncated list of the top 15 teams in the NHL based on their odds of winning the Presidents’ Trophy.
After a spectacular 2022-23 campaign that saw the Carolina Hurricanes appear in the Eastern Conference Final, the Canes head into October with the single-lowest odds (+700) to win the Presidents’ Trophy. They are followed closely by their divisional foes, the New Jersey Devils, at (+750).
There are also a few excellent value plays on the board, which provide prospective bettors with a wide variety of options to wager on.
Presidents’ Trophy Winner Best Bet
Edmonton Oilers (+1000)
The Edmonton Oilers enjoyed a solid campaign in 2022-23, losing out to the eventual Stanley Cup Champions, the Vegas Golden Knights, in the second round of the playoffs.
The hockey world is well aware of Edmonton’s high-octane offense, featuring three 100-plus point scorers in Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.
However, despite their high-end talent, the Oilers proved that they can roll four lines, employ a physical style of play, and grind out wins when needed.
- See where the Oilers sit in our Stanley Cup winner odds.
Edmonton’s offseason has been supplemented with the signing of Connor Brown, who has a history of playing alongside Zach Hyman. Brown brings versatility, grit, and energy to a well-balanced team that ranked fifth in the NHL in Expected Goals and Shooting % on Shots on Goal.
Is this the year the high-flying, star-studded Oilers finally win the Presidents’ Trophy? I’m willing to bank them at an enticing (+1000) price.
Presidents’ Trophy Favorites
Carolina Hurricanes (+700)
The Hurricanes are one of hockey’s premier organizations. From a superior front office, outstanding player development department, coaching staff, and talented roster, few teams in hockey can match what the Hurricanes bring to the table.
Last season saw the Canes come within four wins of a Stanley Cup Final berth, losing out to the Cinderella-story Florida Panthers.
After an output of 52 wins and 113 points in 2022-23, the Canes also led the NHL in Expected Goals % (60.14), Expected Goals Against (136.64), and Shooting % on Unblocked Shots (3.93), per MoneyPuck.
Those advanced statistics have also been supplemented by the offseason additions of Tony DeAngelo, Michael Bunting, and Dmitry Orlov. The Canes also locked up star centerman Sebastian Aho to a $78 million, eight-year contract extension, further cementing one of the franchises’ most integral pieces.
On a team with few holes, it is no surprise that Carolina has the shortest odds to win the Presidents’ Trophy next season.
New Jersey Devils (+750)
It’s hard to imagine how grim it looked in Newark on the hockey side of things in past years, given how incredible a turnaround the Devils experienced in 2022-23. Now, with a boatload of talent and youthful exuberance throughout their lineup, New Jersey is a major problem heading into next year.
In addition to trading for Tyler Toffoli and re-signing Timo Meier to an eight-year deal worth roughly $70 million, the Devils will also greatly benefit from full seasons from Luke Hughes and Alexander Holtz, two of New Jersey’s most coveted youngsters.
- Read why the Devils are among the favorites in our NHL Eastern Conference betting odds.
The Devils were among the best teams in hockey on the analytical side of things, ranking second in both High Danger Shots Against and Score/Flurry Adjusted Expected Goals % and third in Unblocked Shot Attempts (Fenwick %).
Expect much of the same from New Jersey in 2023-24, who is an intriguing play to hoist the Presidents’ Trophy at (+750).
Presidents’ Trophy Contenders
Toronto Maple Leafs (+1200)
The Maple Leafs won a playoff series for the first time in 19 years last season but were quickly ousted by the Panthers in the second round, leading to a few major changes in the organization.
For starters, Kyle Dubas departed to Pittsburgh, and Brad Treliving was brought in as the club’s general manager. The Leafs also waved goodbye to Ryan O’Reilly, Michael Bunting, Luke Schenn, Noel Acciari, and Justin Holl.
Treliving’s first order of business was changing the Leafs’ on-ice approach to play with a bit more bite and tenacity. He did this by signing Max Domi, Ryan Reaves, John Klingberg, and Tyler Bertuzzi in free agency to further complement the roster.
Treliving inherited a hockey club that ranked fifth in the NHL in Expected Goals For % and sixth in High Danger Chances For, per Natural Stat Trick, and enters 2023-24 as one of hockey’s most talented teams.
The Maple Leafs are again on a collision course to a 100-point campaign. To get them at a whopping (+1200) price point to win the Presidents’ Trophy is a gift. Lay a sprinkle on the blue and white.
Dallas Stars (+1200)
Over the past few years, we’ve seen a cosmic shift in philosophy in player personnel down in Dallas, which has paid massive dividends on the ice.
Some of hockey’s most talented youngsters have surpassed Hallmark players, such as Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn.
Heading into 2023-24, the Stars are led by a plethora of exciting young studs, including Jason Robertson, fresh off a 109-point campaign, Roope Hintz, Wyatt Johnston, Logan Stankoven, Ty Dellandrea, Thomas Harley, Miro Heiskanen, and Jake Oettinger.
Last season saw the Stars narrowly miss out on a spot in the Stanley Cup Final, losing to the Golden Knights. Their success was largely built by their play in the defensive zone, ranking second in the NHL in Expected Save % on Unblocked Shots, third in High Danger Shots Against, and sixth in Goals Differential Above Expected, per MoneyPuck.
Thus, Dallas has to be considered a legitimate contender to take home the Presidents’ Trophy next season, making their (+1200) price a phenomenal futures bet.
Presidents’ Trophy Sleepers
Los Angeles Kings (+2000)
For the second consecutive season, the Kings’ quest for the Stanley Cup ended at the hands of the Edmonton Oilers.
However, after landing Pierre-Luc Dubois, combined with an already talented roster, including the likes of Drew Doughty, Kevin Fiala, Adrian Kempe, and Anže Kopitar, L.A. look like perennial Cup contenders.
- See where the Kings rank in our NHL Western Conference betting odds.
On a team mired in discombobulation and underlying question marks, Dubois put together an impressive year with the Winnipeg Jets last season. In addition to his 27 goals and 63 points, Dubois was also an analytical dream, ranking third on the Jets in Expected Goals, Goals Above Expected, and High Danger Expected Goals, per MoneyPuck.
At (+2000), the Kings are an excellent sleeper pick for the Presidents’ Trophy. Hop on that train as soon as you can.
Seattle Kraken (+3000)
The Kraken enjoyed a terrific sophomore campaign, posting a 48-28-8 record en route to upsetting the defending Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche in the opening round of the postseason.
The Kraken are one of the most well-balanced teams in hockey and should be boosted by the offseason additions of Brian Dumoulin, Kailer Yamamoto, and Pierre-Édouard Bellemare, filling out their lineup alongside Matty Beniers, Vince Dunn, and Jared McCann.
Seattle also has former fourth-overall pick Shane Wright waiting in the wings, eager to prove that he’s ready to compete at this level.
In addition to their on-ice product, the Kraken also scored exceptionally well in the advanced metrics department. Seattle ranked second in the NHL in both Goal Differential/60 and Goals% (56.33) and fifth in both Score Adjusted Unblocked Shots Against (Fenwick %) and Shot Attempts (Corsi %).
After the dress rehearsal last season, look for the Kraken to make some serious noise in the West in 2023-24. At (+3000), you’re getting an excellent price point on one of hockey’s most dangerous clubs.