The NHL Season began last night with three primetime games. The second of which featured the 2024 Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers, who had an impressive victory over the Boston Bruins. With the rest of the leagues getting things started over the next few days, is there any team that can prevent the Panthers from going back-to-back? Here are my top three favorites to win the Cup in 2025.
3. New York Rangers
Despite current contract disputes with their star goalie Igor Shesterkin, the Rangers undoubtedly have one of the deepest rosters in hockey. With a top defensive unit, savvy veterans like Panarin and Kreider, and a rising superstar in Alexis Lafrenière, I foresee a big year for New York. This also feels like one last hoorah for this core of guys, and I believe they have a real chance to make it to the mountaintop this year.
2. Florida Panthers
The biggest threat to the Rangers is a similar foe who beat them in six games in the 2024 ECF. As I mentioned, the Panthers went on to lift the Cup and will look to repeat this season. They have arguably the best forward duo in the league in Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk, as well as an elite goalie in Sergei Bobrovsky who showed his greatness throughout the postseason last year. Now that they have gotten a taste of success, Florida is going to be a tough out for any team looking to dethrone them.
1. Edmonton Oilers
The Oilers came so close to glory last season but were eventually taken down by the champion Panthers. Having the best player in the world certainly helps in becoming a Stanley Cup contender, and with McDavid and the resurgence of Leon Draisaitl, I don’t see many teams being able to keep up. I predict a repeat of last year’s finals, but this time with Connor McDavid and Co. lifting Lord Stanley.
