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New Jersey Devils Skyrocketing Up Stanley Cup Odds

By Nick Villano

The Monmouth Park Sports Book is viewed on the first day of legal sports betting in the state, in Monmouth Park in Oceanport, New Jersey on June 14, 2018. - New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy on June 11, 2018 signed a law that authorized legal sports betting in New Jersey, ending a nearly decade-long saga that included a multimillion court battle against the nation's top sports leagues and a landmark ruling from the nation's highest court. (Photo by Dominick Reuter / AFP) (Photo credit should read DOMINICK REUTER/AFP/Getty Images)
The Monmouth Park Sports Book is viewed on the first day of legal sports betting in the state, in Monmouth Park in Oceanport, New Jersey on June 14, 2018. - New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy on June 11, 2018 signed a law that authorized legal sports betting in New Jersey, ending a nearly decade-long saga that included a multimillion court battle against the nation's top sports leagues and a landmark ruling from the nation's highest court. (Photo by Dominick Reuter / AFP) (Photo credit should read DOMINICK REUTER/AFP/Getty Images) /
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It was not long ago that the New Jersey Devils were one of the longest shots to win the 2020 Stanley Cup. Now, they see their odds climbing higher and higher.

New Jersey was one of the states front and center when betting on sports became more about states’ rights over a federal ban. Former Governor Chris Christie spearheaded the movement that ended with us being able to spend our paycheck on college wrestling or Korean tennis if we so please. Now, looking at Stanley Cup odds means more, because it can actually win us money instead of just a hypothetical.

The New Jersey Devils are rocketing higher and higher in terms of odds for the 2020 Stanley Cup. Just two months ago when the 2019 Stanley Cup ended, the Devils were 80/1 odds to win the Cup next season. Back then, we told you to make that bet. Now, the Devils are usually around 25/1.

This is with no new hockey games played. However, franchise changing moves have been made by the Devils. Since then they won the draft lottery, drafted Jack Hughes, traded for P.K. Subban, traded for John Hayden, signed Wayne Simmonds, and traded for Nikita Gusev while keeping Will Butcher, Connor Carrick and Mirco Mueller as restricted free agents.

Still, a $10,000 bet on the Devils went from winning $800,000 to $250,000. That’s a ridiculous move by this team. The New York Rangers made a similar move in the standings after signing Artemi Panarin and trading for Jacob Trouba. These two franchises made insane jumps this offseason.

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To put this in perspective, the Washington Capitals are 20/1 on many boards. The Devils are the next team to the Washington Capitals. The team with Alex Ovechkin who’s one year removed from a championship is next to the Devils in odds.

This is completely thanks to the pomp and circumstance the Devils have treated each one of their moves. P.K. Subban was treated with the same excitement as LeBron James going to the Miami Heat. Jack Hughes was given the red and black carpet treatment for every step of his offseason. Nikita Gusev came to the Devils during a dead time in the offseason, so literally every hockey mind was talking about it. The Devils are in the headlines constantly, and that’s going to lead to more bets for them.

Of course, the odds will vary wildly all season. The Tampa Bay Lightning will likely stay at the top barring something crazy happening. Then, everyone behind them will change completely from month to month. It is safe to say that if the Devils even have the slightest chance to win the Cup, those 80/1 odds are long gone.

The New Jersey Devils are less of a good bet as they once were. Objectively, comparing them to the Capitals hurts because the Devils have a lot more question marks. There may be goalie issues, Taylor Hall may struggle after injury, Subban needs to find a good partner, etc. However, if we think the Devils could surprise their way to a Stanley Cup, 25/1 might be worth the bet.

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