The Washington Capitals were busy at the opening of free agency last week, bringing in six new players for next season, including right winger Connor Brown and center Dylan Strome. As a result, Vegas has seen enough change with the Capitals roster to improve their odds to win the Stanley Cup next season.
The Capitals are now at +3500 to win the Stanley Cup, up from the opening odds of +4500 released in June. However, the Capitals remain at 16th best odds to win the Cup, same as the opening odds (here).
The New York Rangers improved from +2000 to +1600 as a result of free agency. The Carolina Hurricanes improved from +1100 to +1000 following free agency. The Penguins also improved from +2000 to +1800, but the Columbus Blue Jackets odds remained the same, +7500, even with the addition of Johnny “Hockey” Gaudreau.
The Philadelphia Flyers improved from +7000 to +6000. The New York Islanders, who did very little to improve their team, also improved slightly, from +3500 to +3000, still better than the Capitals. The Devils improved from +7000 to +6500 after free agency (Vitek Vanecek?).
By Jon Sorensen
Well, at least it’s heading in the right direction. 🤷
Return of Willy will also improve things, whenever that may be.
Absolutely LAUGHABLE the Caps are ranked 16th. Conversely, Crosby’s Pens, who doubled down on their ancient assets (LaTang and Malkin), are considered to have the 9th best shot at winning a Cup. Seriously? While I liked their trade that added venerable 2nd pairing Defender Petry from the Canadiens, he too is ancient.
As for the Caps, their free agency and trade additions are mostly 20 somethings – including the two best FAs we added, 2C Dylan Strome and 2RW Connor Brown (who will play 1RW until Willie’s healthy and back on the ice with the team).
Soooooo … for the Caps to be seen by the ‘sharps’ in Vegas as only 16th out of 32 NHL Franchises chasing the Cup this coming season? I love it – bring on the disrespect. Because being ranked 16th, essentially your viewed as no better than an 8-seed (out of 8 per Conference) when the playoffs begin.
Far better to be the overlooked Dark Horse that the pace setting stallion in the horse race.
Middle of the pack is fine. Goaltending while theoretically improved is still a question. As is defense, at least until they fix the 74 reasons wrong with it.
Amazing last year we had no stabilty at our second line center for almost the entire year and we were missing Oshie who is a major spark plug especially on the power play. Despite not having 3 of our top 6 forwards and erratic play in goal all year long we managed 100 points and though we faded at the end the Caps were the Metro leading team for much of the first half of the season. Now they have a strong Goalie and stabilty they havent had for over two years and they have a solid number two center and in Brown they have a top 6 offensive weapon to replace Wilson for the two months that he will be out. Plus Oshie is healthy as is Anthony Mantha so our second line will be winning games for us that they were not able to last year. Then you have both Connor McMichael and Martin Fehervary who have a years worth of experince and knowledge about thier teamates which will only make these rookies better. How then do the odds makers not see this team on the same level or just under the Rangers who they played well against last year despite the inconsistant goalies and missing top line forwards? I would argue pittsburgh Boston and Washington are all at +2000 just below the Rangers who should be at +1800. The Metro Division will be a dog fight all year long with injuries determining who emerges to challenge Carolina as the top dog. If the Capitals get Wilson back near 100% and stay away from injuries it would be unwise to bet against perhaps the biggest most physical team in the metro division. Remember in the playoffs the Capitals went to 6 games against one of the top teams in the NHL last year. Some say they should have won game 6 and if they had who knows ?