In a bold move to bolster the team’s defence as the NHL’s free agent signing period opened up on Monday, the Toronto Maple Leafs pulled the trigger on a deal that sent centre Nazem Kadri to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for defenceman Tyson Barrie and centre Alexander Kerfoot.
But despite addressing a critical need for a right-handed rearguard, the Maple Leafs continue to lag behind the favourites on the 2020 Stanley Cup odds at +1200 at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com.
While the Maple Leafs have been active in the trade market, the lack of a new deal for restricted free agent Mitch Marner has not helped their fortunes on the Stanley Cup odds. The 22-year-old is reportedly seeking a contract similar to the five-year, $58.17 million deal signed by teammate Auston Matthews, forcing the team to find creative ways to free up valuable salary cap space.
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Also faced with the challenge of re-signing star RFAs Patrik Laine and Kyle Connor, the Winnipeg Jets sit second among Canadian teams on the updated NHL futures at +1600. The Calgary Flames trail at +1800, while the Montreal Canadiens have moved up to +2500 despite the Carolina Hurricanes announcing they will match their offer sheet for RFA forward Sebastian Aho.
The Edmonton Oilers have added veteran depth by signing free agents Mike Smith, Alex Chiasson, and Markus Granlund, and remain deadlocked at +4000 on the 2020 Stanley Cup odds with the Vancouver Canucks, who made a splash by signing free agent defenceman Tyler Myers to a five-year, $30 million deal.
In addition to acquiring Connor Brown and Nikita Zaitsev from Toronto via trade, the Ottawa Senators have added veteran leadership by signing former Maple Leafs Ron Hainsey and Tyler Ennis, but remain buried at the bottom of the Stanley Cup futures as +10000 longshots on those NHL odds.
Tampa Bay has yet to address an urgent need to re-sign star forward Brayden Point to a new contract, and has remained quiet in the free agent market. However, the Lightning remain listed as strong +700 favourites to win the Stanley Cup.
The defending Eastern Conference champion Boston Bruins sit second on the board, knotted with the Vegas Golden Knights at +1000 on the odds to win the Stanley Cup, while the champion St. Louis Blues sit as a +1400 wager.
The Hurricanes have moved up to +2800 after opening the off-season at +3300 at sportsbooks. The New Jersey Devils have made major gains since acquiring defenceman PK Subban, improving from +5000 to +2500, joining the New York Rangers, who sat at +4000 prior to the signing of free agent forward Artemi Panarin.
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