NHL Power Rankings: Canes on top, one futures bet for each team

The 2025-26 NHL season is little than 2 weeks old, truthful each small-sample warnings inactive apply.

But the information that it's aboriginal means it's besides not excessively precocious to find immoderate values connected futures bets. As portion of our updated acceptable of 1-32 Power Rankings this week, ESPN analysts Sean Allen (Eastern Conference teams) and Victoria Matiash (Western Conference teams) besides came up with a captivating futures stake for each club.

How we rank: A sheet of ESPN hockey commentators, analysts, reporters and editors sends successful a 1-32 canvass based connected the games done Wednesday, which generates our list.

Note: Previous ranking for each squad refers to the erstwhile edition, published Oct. 6. Points percentages are done Thursday's games.

All likelihood close arsenic of people time. For more, spell to ESPN BET.

1. Carolina Hurricanes

Previous ranking: 2
Points percentage: 100%

Hurricanes triumph the Stanley Cup (+800). The archetypal 2 games showcased Carolina's depth. The 4th enactment was connected the crystal for 3 goals, and the 3rd antiaircraft pairing for five, signaling a squad wherever contributions travel from each country of the roster. That's the benignant of equilibrium that tin transportation a Cup run.

Next 7 days: @ LA (Oct. 18), @ VGK (Oct. 20), @ COL (Oct. 23)

2. Dallas Stars

Previous ranking: 5
Points percentage: 75%

Stars triumph the Western Conference (+475). The Stars fertile 4th successful league odds, down Edmonton, Vegas and Colorado, which adds immoderate entreaty to the number. Plus they've picked up head-to-head wins implicit Central rivals Winnipeg, Colorado and Minnesota to commencement the season.

Next 7 days: @ STL (Oct. 18), vs. CBJ (Oct. 21), vs. LA (Oct. 23)

3. Colorado Avalanche

Previous ranking: 6
Points percentage: 90%

Avalanche triumph the Stanley Cup (+900). Admirably balanced altogether, this roster features 1 of the astir unsafe forwards successful Nathan MacKinnon and the game's champion defender, Cale Makar. Their 4-0-1 grounds done 5 games doesn't service arsenic a turnoff either.

Next 7 days: vs. BOS (Oct. 18), @ UTA (Oct. 21), vs. CAR (Oct. 23)

4. Edmonton Oilers

Previous ranking: