Reports indicate the Canadiens are expected to be active this offseason, making their long Stanley Cup odds an intriguing value for bettors.
The Montreal Canadiens are emerging as a potential sleeper pick heading into the 2025–26 NHL season, with Stanley Cup odds currently sitting at +10000, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
TSN insider Darren Dreger added intrigue into the conversation around the Habs next season by recently reporting that they are actively pursuing a second- or third-line center this offseason.
NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) on XDarren Dreger: Canadiens GM Kent Hughes is “open for business”, wants to improve 2/3 C position, has a lot of trade capital – TSN 1050
Montreal is more than well-positioned to make a deal thanks to a surplus of draft capital and high-end prospects. The Habs have multiple first-round picks in 2025 and flexibility extending through 2026 and beyond, which gives GM Kent Hughes assets and the motivation to make a bold move.
Montreal’s jump from a rebuilding team to a playoff qualifier this past season has set the stage and with another big move or two, we could be quickly looking at this time as a Stanley Cup contender.
With potential trades, offer sheets and enough cap space to sign one more solid player with roughly $6 million on cap space left, the Habs may quickly see their odds jump and this could be one of our last chances to cash in on such juicy odds.
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After three consecutive seasons near the bottom of the league standings, the Canadiens posted a 40–31–11 record in 2024–25, good enough to claim the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.
Their success came largely on the back of a young, fast-developing core, highlighted by Nick Suzuki’s 89-point campaign, Cole Caufield’s 37-goal season, and the breakout of rookie defenseman Lane Hutson, who captured the Calder Trophy.
It marked the first time since their Cinderella run to the 2021 Stanley Cup Final that they played meaningful games and despite losing in five to the Washington Capitals, the loss signaled a beast is coming.
With one of the NHL’s youngest rosters, averaging just under 26 years of age, the Canadiens are only beginning to tap into their potential. Former first overall pick Juraj Slafkovský’s development into a legitimate top-six forward, along with steady progress from players like Kaiden Guhle, Alex Newhook, and Jayden Struble, has given coach Martin St. Louis multiple options across the lineup.
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Most importantly, the team’s defensive structure has solidified with the help of Hutson, and its special teams saw noticeable improvements, areas that were major weaknesses during previous seasons.
Montreal shows all the signs of being a potentially dangerous team in the near future and with odds placing them towards the bottom of the league, this bet is one that many should take into serious consideration.
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