Carolina Hurricanes Projected To Win The 2023-24 NHL Stanley Cup
The 2023-24 NHL regular season is officially underway so, naturally, the hockey experts are weighing in on who will win what. Sports predictions are fun. There’s tons of speculation and zero accountability. As the action gets started, the only thing certain is that the sports books have no runaway favorite when it comes to who gamblers think will take the Stanley Cup.
According to the odds posted by Draft Kings, the Carolina Hurricanes have the best shot of winning the Stanley Cup this season, but not by much. The last and only time the Canes won the Stanley Cup was the 2005-06 season. The team’s head coach, Rod Brind’Amour, played as a center on that championship team. What a story that would make! Here are the current odds, as of October 11, 2023:
Top 10 Stanley Cup Contenders (2023-24)
- Carolina Panthers (+800)
- Toronto Maple Leafs/New Jersey Devils (+900)
- Colorado Avalanche/Edmonton Oilers (+1000)
- Vegas Golden Knights (+1200)
- New York Rangers (+1300)
- Dallas Stars (+1400)
- Florida Panthers/Boston Bruins (+1600)
The gambling community aren’t the only folks who see things going Carolina’s way this season. The Sporting News also picked the Hurricanes to win the Stanley Cup, even though they may not win their division. However, the team’s depth will carry them all the way through the playoffs. Here’s how The Sporting News’ Bryan Murphy of sees the season playing out:
- Divisional winners will be the Toronto Maple Leafs, New Jersey Devils, Dallas Stars, and Edmonton Oilers.
- None of those four will end up winning their respective Conferences. Instead, the Carolina Hurricanes and Colorado Avalanche will meet in the Finals.
- Carolina will win the Stanley Cup.
The Hurricanes begin their season at home in Raleigh tonight (10/11) against the Ottawa Senators. I’m also keeping my eye on the Chicago Blackhawks this year for one specific reason: Connor Bedard. At the tender age of 18, the dynamic rookie center is already making an impact. There are no expectations of Chicago being a playoff team, and that’s probably a good thing as far as not heaping additional pressure on the young superstar in the making. Bedard is a strong candidate for the Calder Memorial Trophy, given to the NHL’s rookie of the year. Here are The Sporting News’ most likely candidates for individual awards at the end of the season:
- Hart (MVP) – Connor McDavid (Oilers)
- Vezina (Goaltender) – Ilya Sorokin (Islanders)
- Art Ross (Most Points) – Connor McDavid (Oilers)
- Rocket Richard (Most Goals) – David Pastrnak (Bruins)
- Norris (Defenseman) – Rasmus Dahlin (Sabres)
- Calder (Rookie) – Connor Bedard (Blackhawks)
- Selke (Defensive Skill) – Anze Kopitar (Kings)
- Jack Adams (Coach) – Don Granato (Sabres)
Connor Bedard #98 of the Chicago Blackhawks controls the puck against the Minnesota Wild during a preseason game at the United Center on October 05, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
