Most of the top free agents have signed with new teams. That’s makes things ultra-interesting as we head into November. Check out a list of the teams that had improved their squads the most during the 2020 free agency period. We also add some thoughts about 2020 Cup contender that lost out on improving their squad. Let’s get right to it so you can make your bets against their NHL odds for next season.
NHL COVID-19 Update – October 20th Edition
2020-2021 NHL Season
- When: December 1, 2020 – TBD 2021
NHL Stanley Cup Odds
- Colorado Avalanche +650
- Tampa Bay Lightning +700
- Vegas Golden Knights +700
- Boston Bruins +1200
- Toronto Maple Leafs +1600
- Philadelphia Flyers +1600
- Washington Capitals +1600
- Pittsburgh Penguins +1800
- Dallas Stars +2000
- St. Louis Blues 2000
- Vancouver Canucks +2000
- Edmonton Oilers +2000
- New York Rangers +2000
- Carolina Hurricanes +2000
- New York Islanders +2000
- Calgary Flames +3000
- Nashville Predators +3000
- Winnipeg Jets +3500
- Arizona Coyotes +4000
- Columbus Blue Jackets +5000
- Florida Panthers +5000
- Minnesota Wild +5000
- New Jersey Devils +5000
- Montreal Canadiens +6000
- San Jose Sharks +6000
- Anaheim Ducks +8000
- Buffalo Sabres +8000
- Chicago Blackhawks +8000
- Los Angeles Kings +8000
- Ottawa Senators +10000
- Detroit Red Wings +20000
NHL 2020 free agency winners
The Vegas Golden Knights were free agency winners. Sure, they had to part ways with Paul Stastny, but they acquired the top free agent on the board in defenseman Alex Pietrangelo. The former Blues player wanted to stay in St. Louis. Pietrangelo even worked the media to get the Blues to resign him. But St. Louis couldn’t, which is why he ended up with the Vegas Golden Knights.
This past season, Pietrangelo dished 36 assists and amassed 52 points in 16 games. That should help Vegas big time because the Golden Knights will get an offensive minded defenseman who can rock it on both ends of the ice.
Vegas is happy with their free agent pickup. The Colorado Avalanche are the favorite to win the Stanley Cup because they’re the overall free agency winner, though. The Avs acquired former Chicago Blackhawk Brandon Saad, and terrific New York Islanders’ defenseman Devon Towes. In just 6 games, Towes had 22 assists and 28 points.
Devon is one of the top defensive players in the league when he can get onto the ice on the regular. The Avalanche had a disappointing season, they really felt they could win the Stanley Cup. Acquiring Saad and Towes has made them the early favorite to win the Cup in 2021.
Edmonton fails to find a goaltender, now a longshot to win the 2021 NHL Stanley Cup
The Edmonton Oilers are strong everywhere except in goal. Both Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, two Hart Trophy winners, are on their roster.
Edmonton should compete with anybody, but by failing to sign a lock down goaltender, the Oilers will have a tough time in the playoffs. Mike Smith has a .902 save percentage. Edmonton’s other tender, Mikko Koskinen, has a .917 save percentage. Smith is 38-years-old. Koskinen is 32.
We’ll see if Edmonton addresses the net with a trade. If they don’t, expect the Oilers to bow out of next year’s playoffs early no matter how many points McDavid and Draisaitl post.
Have a great week!
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