What are NHL Futures and Stanley Cup Odds?
Bets on NHL futures are long-term wagers made before or during a season. Stanley Cup odds are the biggest NHL futures market, betting on which team will be the NHL Championship winners for the 2025-26 season.
A Stanley Cup futures bet means you can back any team, from the bottom divisional underdog to the Las Vegas favorite, to be crowned NHL champions at the end of the Stanley Cup Final.
Learn more about how to make long-term bets in our how to bet futures guide.
How Does Dimers Generate Stanley Cup Odds?
Think of our NHL futures model as running the entire season thousands of times to see all the different ways it could play out. At the beginning of every NHL season, we use the real schedule and give every team a rating based on form, history, strength of opponent, and whether they’re playing home or away.
We simulate the season 10,000 times—each one playing out standings, playoff brackets, and even seven-game series where needed. The model captures as much detail as possible, from power plays and overtime wins to shootouts—accounting for both favorites and upsets.
When all simulations are done, we see how many times each team ends up winning the Stanley Cup. If the Boston Bruins win in 900 of those 10,000 seasons, we give them a 9% chance of lifting the Cup.
Our futures model updates throughout the season, adjusting for real-world results so you always have the latest probabilities.
How to Read Stanley Cup Odds
The value (and fun) of betting on NHL Stanley Cup futures is calling your shot early, before the season and playoffs fully take shape. That’s why Dimers updates odds and probabilities daily—so you can see where the value is.
Dimers’ Stanley Cup odds are expressed in the American odds system with a plus (+) or a minus (-). This is the common way sportsbooks represent the likelihood of a team being crowned NHL champions.
The larger the number next to a +, the larger your return will be. The larger the number with a -, the more you have to risk for a smaller potential profit. Usually, in Stanley Cup futures odds, all teams are listed with + odds, but the numbers will constantly change the closer the NHL Playoffs final series approaches.
Here are some examples of how to read different Stanley Cup odds so you can understand what value each team offers as an NHL futures bet:
A bottom-ranked team from the Pacific Division like the San Jose Sharks at +50000 odds means a $100 bet would return $50,000 (plus your $100 stake). Big profit for a long shot.
A top-ranked Colorado Avalanche at +300 mid-season would return $300 (plus your stake)—a smaller reward, but still with some risk.
Minus odds are rare and will usually pop up late season or mid-playoffs, e.g., you could see -200 for the Florida Panthers after they reach the Stanley Cup Final.
Key Dates for NHL 2025-26 Season
October 7, 2025: Start of regular season
April 2026: Stanley Cup playoffs (dates TBD)
June 2026: Stanley Cup Final (dates TBD)
How to Bet on NHL Futures Odds
Dimers collects odds from the top sportsbooks in North America and calculates probabilities using simulations. We then compare our projections with sportsbook lines to highlight where the best value lies.
Here’s how you can use Dimers to place an NHL futures bet:
Choose your market: Decide which team you want to back—this could be a favorite, a mid-tier contender, or a long-shot underdog.
Compare the odds: Use our daily-updated listings to see the best Stanley Cup odds across top North American sportsbooks.
Review probabilities: Check Dimers’ probability ratings to understand the value of each team compared with the sportsbook odds.
Place your bet: Once you’ve found the team and odds you like, follow the direct link to the sportsbook to place your bet.
Stay updated: Track form, injuries, and trades, as they will change the odds—giving you new opportunities.
Tip: Betting early in the season can uncover long-shot value, while later bets let you target teams in strong form. Using Dimers’ insights helps you decide when to strike.
Explore Our Full Suite of NHL Betting Tools
Our NHL futures make line shopping for Stanley Cup odds quick and easy, so you can instantly assess the best odds.
For daily betting throughout the NHL season, Dimers offers a wide range of hockey betting tools:
NHL Predictions: Data-backed predictions for NHL game winners.
NHL Best Bets: Our model’s top bets with an edge over the odds.
NHL Best Props: Data-driven player props for goal scorers and shots on goal.
NHL Picks: Our model calls the winners and totals of every game.
NHL Trends: Performance patterns to inform player bets.
NHL Odds: Live odds table for hockey line shopping across top sportsbooks.
NHL Parlays: Model-powered multi-bet tickets for bigger odds.
NHL News: Expert breakdowns before every game.
Access all NHL betting insights by subscribing to Dimers Pro.
Responsible NHL Futures Betting
Dimers advocates disciplined betting practices for NHL futures and Stanley Cup odds. Always bet within your means while accepting the risks, and only wager what you are prepared to lose. If you are experiencing problems with sports betting, our responsible gambling resources are here to support you.