The offseason is officially here now that the Pittsburgh Penguins hoisted the Stanley Cup last night.
And if you're already thinking about the Columbus Blue Jackets' chances to follow in the Pens' footsteps, you're not alone.
The bookmaker Bovada released its 2018 Stanley Cup odds on Monday – no time wasted, eh? – and the Blue Jackets begin the season at 20/1 to lift the Cup (for entertainment purposes only, obviously). That's the 14th-best mark in the NHL one season after Columbus posted the best season in franchise history.
Of course, this is way early (and the expansion draft and free agency will likely change those numbers) but it's where the Jackets will begin in the eyes of the sharps going into next year. The odds are seventh-best in the Eastern Conference and fourth in the Metropolitian Division behind the early favorite, Pittsburgh (9/1), and a handful of other teams.
Despite missing the playoffs in 2016-17 during an injury-plagued year, Tampa Bay is expected to rebound and is listed at 12/1, same as the defending Presidents Cup champion Washington Capitals. Montreal, the New York Rangers and Toronto are all at 16/1.
To see all of the odds, visit Bovada's website.
