The odds on Nashville Predators winning the 2020 Stanley Cup have strengthened, not weakened, since trading away All-star P.K. Subban.
This hasn’t elevated the 2017 Stanley Cup finalists to favorite or even a near favorite status. It has, however, seen their odds go from +2400 on June 13 to +1700 yesterday on FanDuel and PointsBet. It could still go lower in time
Top of the NHL pops with all New Jersey sportsbooks this week is Tampa Bay Lightening at a firm +700.
They are generally followed in a slightly, but not markedly differing order by the following three teams: the Toronto Maple Leafs at +900 and the Boston Bruins and Las Vegas Golden Knights at +1000.
The St Louis Blues are tied for 5th with the Colorado Avalanche at +1200. This despite the fact that only three weeks ago the Blues won the 2019 Stanley Cup.
And they did it by beating multi-titled Boston Bruins 4-3 in the seven-game Cup Final.
Meantime, the Predators are in a 9th place tie with the Washington Capitals and Winnipeg Jets at +1700.
Trading away PK Subban was a surprise move
Trading a leading NHL defenseman like Subban to the New Jersey Devils was a surprise, to be sure. This especially as he still had three years left on his 8-year, $72m contract. That’s an average of $9m a year so the move is likely to cost him some.
In terms of talent (Subban for Steven Santini, Jeremy Davies, and two second-round picks), The Predators won’t benefit either.
Cap is a different matter. Here they will benefit substantially. The present NHL salary cap is $81.5 million. Nashville now has 21 roster players active for a total of $68.3 million. That leaves them with $13.2m with two roster spots still open.
The Predator’s biggest need right now? It is for a big gun forward like Canadian center Matt Duchene or Russian left wing Artemi Panarin. And yes, that right, both are free agents at this time. The Cap saved on Subban thus puts Nashville in a strong position to sign up one of the two big stars. Duchene, it seems, is the media favorite right now.
And the Predators defense? Even without Subban, it still has plenty of depth. Awaiting their big chance young guns like Dante Fabbro, Frederic Allard and Alexandre Carrier will make sure of that.
If Predators can add free agents like Duchene, Panarin or even a Joe Pavelski into their front line, watch out! It would make them a strong Stanley Cup contender next year – and the bookies know it.
If wagering on the NHL is your game, here is some advice. Keep a sharp eye on the Predators in the coming days and weeks. You won’t again see the current odds on them if they can get their hands on a Duchene.
TOP 10 2020 Stanley Cup futures favorites
Here today, Tuesday, June 26, where the New Jersey sportsbooks’ top 10 favorites to win the next Stanley Cup finals in 2020.
Toronto Maple Leafs +700
Boston Bruins +900
Vegas Gooden Knights +1000
Colorado Avalanche +1000
St Louis Blues +1200
Calgary Flames +1300
San Jose Sharks +1600
Nashville Predators +1700
Washington Capitals +1700
Winnipeg Jets +1700.
