2026 World Cup Odds Spark Fierce Debate: Which Underdog Could Steal the Crown?

Well, here we are again, standing on the precipice of hockey’s grandest prize, the Stanley Cup — but already the sportsbooks are lighting up with odds for 2026, and boy, the disagreement among the betting crowd is thick as a puck in front of the net. The Florida Panthers, fresh off back-to-back championships and tasting sweetness twice in a row, aren’t getting a free pass from the oddsmakers this time around. Alongside them dwell the Edmonton Oilers, Carolina Hurricanes, and Colorado Avalanche—each staking a claim to next season’s throne, yet none standing tall enough to clear the pack completely. ESPN BET’s numbers have shuffled their deck this week, putting Panthers, Oilers, and Avalanche neck and neck at +700, while Colorado—previously the frontrunner—was nudged to level terms with their rivals. DraftKings favors Edmonton, FanDuel swears by Carolina, and opinions swirl like a Detroit power play. Add in the doubts about roster moves, the wear from bruising playoff runs, and the uncertainty of player health, and suddenly the path to ’26 feels less predictable than ever. It’s a vivid chess match on ice, with stakes climbing fast. Curious to dive deeper into the latest betting drama? LEARN MORE