Free-Agency Frenzy: Predators, Bruins Boost NHL Futures Odds

The Nashville Predators made the biggest splashes of the day, signing 500-goal scorer Steven Stamkos away from the Tampa Bay Lightning on a four-year, $32 million deal. The Predators also finished deals with defenseman Brady Skjei and 40-goal scorer Jonathan Marchessault.

The Lightning did not sit back, hooking perhaps the biggest fish of the day in productive forward Jake Guentzel. The former Pittsburgh and Carolina wing’s deal will average a first day-high of $9 million per season for seven years.

Julien BriseBois says Jake Guentzel is a ‘perfect’ add for the #TBLightning: “Highly competitive. High hockey IQ. High level of skill. Makes plays. Competes all over the ice. Has an ability to finish. Big game player. He’s a Bolt who happened to not have been playing for (us).”

— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) July 1, 2024

Two of Tampa Bay’s competitors might have made more important moves, though. The Boston Bruins brought in No. 1 center Elias Lindholm and physical defenseman Nikita Zadorov. The Toronto Maple Leafs aided their defense by signing Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Chris Tanev.

Nashville, which also wrapped up goalie Juuse Saros for eight years, moved from +4000 to +2200 in the NHL future odds to win the Stanley Cup. Take it if you can get it.

Use Smashville In NHL Betting

The Nashville Predators were a tough out in the first round of the playoffs last season, but they struggled to score.

General manager Barry Trotz may have eased concerns on the offensive end with the addition of Stamkos and Marchessault. Stamkos, 34, scored 40 goals last season and boasts 555 in his career. Marchessault had 41 goals last season and won the Conn Smythe Trophy for Vegas in 2022-23.

Open and honest conversation with Steven Stamkos on @Sportsnet in regard to the #Lightning forcing him to walk pic.twitter.com/Oix9jYlUo8

— Missin Curfew (@MissinCurfew) July 1, 2024

Skjei replaces Ryan McDonagh, who was dealt to Tampa Bay in June, and offensive defenseman Alexandre Carrier was also re-signed. Former Dallas goalie Scott Wedgewood was brought in to back up Saros.

Trotz is not likely done. He could get a good asset or two if he decides to trade prospect goalie Yaroslav Askarov. Stay tuned to NHL news.

Odds are Bruins Move Forward

Boston needed a No. 1 center and a big left-handed defenseman on Monday.

Check. Check. The Bruins did well to make the second round of the playoffs after losing centers David Krejci and Patrice Bergeron during the previous offseason. Lindholm fits perfectly in the middle with his two-way game and Zadorov solidifies an already decent defense. Both arrive from the Vancouver Canucks.

#NHLBruins Nikita Zadorov on Elias Lindholm, “He wants to win as much as I do…He’s not a flashy guy but he does the little things right. He complements his wingers real well.”

— Shawn Hutcheon (@ShawnHutcheon) July 1, 2024

Three players the Bruins let go all signed with the Canucks on Monday, including forwards Jake DeBrusk and Danton Heinen, along with defenseman Derek Forbort.

Give the edge to Boston, which is +1800 to win the Cup in the NHL odds.

Connor Bedard, Blackhawks Become Better Bet

The Chicago Blackhawks are not waiting anymore.

Chicago added some experience and scoring to the lineup on Monday to support Calder Trophy winner Connor Bedard, the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft The Blackhawks finished with just 52 points last season – the second least in the league.

Teuvo Teravainen, who started his career and won a Cup in Chicago, returned by inking a three-year deal. The Hawks also signed top-six forward Tyler Bertuzzi away from Toronto. Bertuzzi had 21 goals in 2023-24 and is signed for the next four seasons in Chicago.

Teuvo is back in Chicago 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/djScIf4nO3

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) July 1, 2024

In addition to the top six, Chicago brought in three veteran voices in forward Pat Maroon and defensemen T.J. Brodie and Alec Martinez. Goalie Laurent Brossoit was also signed to team with Petr Mrazek.

Chicago is +15000 to win the Cup. The Hawks are probably not worth your sports betting to go that far. But they should be more competitive.

Reigning Cup Champion Panthers Still a Good Bet

The Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers were going to suffer some losses Monday, but they retained 57-goal scorer Sam Reinhart on an eight-year deal.

Reinhart probably took under market value at $8.625 million AAV. The 28-year-old sniper could be part of the same top-six forwards next season.

EIGHT MORE YEARS 🔥 pic.twitter.com/9du3wKnAD8

— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) July 1, 2024

Florida lost defensemen Bradon Montour (Seattle) and Ekman-Larsson, along with fourth-liners Ryan Lomberg and Kevin Stenlund. Two-way center Tomas Nosek was signed to quell some of that loss.

The Panthers should be part of your NHL betting again. Florida, the Carolina Hurricanes and Edmonton Oilers are the current favorites for the Cup at +900. The Oilers added goal scorer Jeff Skinner and veteran forward Viktor Arvidsson up front on Monday.

Another team that improved their Cup chances was the New Jersey Devils. Dependable Brenden Dillon and Brett Pesce were added to the Devils’ defense and Stefan Noesen will hep up front. New goalie Jacob Markstrom also makes them a value bet at +1600 to win a Cup.

Questions Of The Day