The New York Rangers, Winnipeg Jets and Calgary Flames have all begun the 2024-2025 season with incredible records, realigning how operators see the quick risers.
While the first few games of any sports season typically leads to overreaction from fans, sports betting operators and even those connected to each respective league, the early results from certain squads in the NHL have led to odds being modified less than two weeks into the season. Some franchises seen as Stanley Cup favorites prior to the first puck being dropped have gotten off to slow starts this year, including the Colorado Avalanche, Edmonton Oilers and Nashville Predators. Edmonton’s odds to win the Stanley Cup have yet to really be affected, as the team is still the favorite on William Hill at +850, tied with the New York Rangers.
The Avalanche have dropped slightly due to its 3-4-0 record to start the season, but are still within the top 10 in odds to win the Stanley Cup at +1600. Colorado has been able to turn its season around in the last few days, stringing together three straight victories after going without a point in the team’s prior four matchups. Nashville only just won its first game of the season to improve its record to 1-5-0 and is now listed at +4000 despite spending over $100m in free agency to upgrade its roster with proven veteran talent.
As stated earlier, early season results don’t mean a certain franchise is going to end up as a bottom-ranked team, but it does give an indication of whether these teams can compete with those at the very top. Edmonton and Colorado should reclaim its spot amongst the best teams in the league shortly, but squads such as Nashville have dug a hole that will be difficult to climb out of in a deep Western Conference.
Team such as the Rangers that have gotten off to rapid starts begin to prove why each should be higher in odds to win the Stanley Cup, just as how New York has risen to be tied with Edmonton for the top spot. The Rangers are the only team in the Eastern Conference that have yet to lose a game in regulation this season, currently sitting with a record of 5-0-1 and even with the New Jersey Devils for first place in the Metropolitan division despite playing three less games. New York, unlike the Predators, chose not to make any major changes to its lineup after reaching the Eastern Conference Finals last postseason, with the only notable move being a trade for former Pittsburgh Penguin Reilly Smith.
Smith has started his Rangers tenure on strong form, accounting for six points and playing on New York’s first line with center Mika Zibanejad and winger Chris Kreider. The trio has combined for 17 points in six games, even with Zibanejad starting the season with zero points through the team’s first two games. Most would argue that the Rangers second line of Artemi Panarin, Vincent Trocheck and Alexis Lafreniere is really the team’s top line, but it just goes to show the incredible depth New York rosters this season. After recovering from multiple injuries sustained in 2023-2024, Filip Chytil has also returned to center a third line consisting of himself, Kaapo Kakko and Will Cuylle.
Despite the talent New York’s top six carries, this group might be the best-performing line of the season up to this point, outscoring opponents 7-0 in six games and having an expected goal percentage of over 70%. Tying the whole team together are consistent All-Stars in defenseman Adam Fox and goaltender Igor Shesterkin, who are among the very best at their position and help make up for any mistakes the forward group might produce. Shesterkin may be the best goalie in hockey currently, and continues to be motivated by his upcoming free agency and desire to be paid the highest salary not only for netminders, but for almost all players in the league.
The Winnipeg Jets saw the Rangers’ near perfect start and decided to one-up the franchise by beginning 6-0-0 to kick off 2024-2025. Career-long Jets Nikolaj Ehlers and Mark Scheifele have helped carry the team to its blazing start, each accounting for eight points while goaltender Connor Hellebuyck is playing out of his mind with a record of 5-0-0 and a goals against average (GAA) of 1.40. Many expected Winnipeg to fall behind the top competitors of the Central division, such as the Avalanche, Dallas Stars and even the Predators after the spending spree it went on in the offseason.
So far, the Jets hold the top spot in the division with 12 points, but face a tough upcoming stretch with games against the Seattle Kraken, Calgary Flames and Toronto Maple Leafs. Winnipeg has been a consistent Playoff team in recent history, but has failed to make it past the first round since 2021, which could be why William Hill still lists the Jets at +2200 to win the Stanley Cup despite its perfect start through six games.
In the Pacific division, one of the most surprising teams in all of hockey even are the Calgary Flames, who have begun the season with a record of 5-0-1 like the Rangers. The Flames still hold some doubt as to whether the team is really a Stanley Cup contender, with the operator listing Calgary at +5500 even with such a torrid start to the year. While the Flames are mainly enjoying success due to rostering 11 players that have at least three points on the season, the franchise still carries plenty of top talent in the form of Jonathan Huberdeau, Nazem Kadri and defenseman Rasmus Andersson. Calgary will most likely need to make a trade for another significant piece if it hopes to make a push for the postseason and especially if it desires a deep run into the Playoffs.
While this is by no means an attempt to make light of the situation, a motivating factor for the Flames this season could be the recent deaths of former Calgary winger Johnny Gaudrea and his brother Matthew. The Flames held an emotional ceremony for the Gaudreau family prior to its home opener, with Johnny having spent his first eight seasons in the league as part of the Flames franchise before signing with the Columbus Blue Jackets prior to the 2022-2023 season.
Tragic events such as the alleged drunk driving incident that resulted in the deaths of Johnny and Matthew play a role in the emotional toll athletes such as the current Flames players and their fanbase endure throughout the season. The impact Gaudreau made on the hockey world will never be forgotten, and so far his former team is honoring his legacy in the best way possible, by winning games and proving it shouldn’t be underestimated in any capacity for the 2024-2025 NHL season. Calgary will have a chance to continue proving itself with an upcoming schedule that includes the Carolina Hurricanes, Winnipeg and a road matchup with the Vegas Golden Knights.
