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Blackhawks tied for 3rd in latest 2018 Stanley Cup odds

There’s been a mixed response to the Blackhawks’ offseason across the hockey world, but in Vegas they’re still high on the team. Chicago is tied for the third-best odds for the 2018 Stanley Cup at 12-1, per Bovada.

The two-time defending champion Penguins have the best odds at 7-1, which makes sense given they’re bringing back an impressive team led by Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. The Oilers have second-best odds at 9-1 thanks to reigning Hart Trophy winner Connor McDavid.

The Hawks are tied at 12-1 odds with another team from the Central Division that had an active offseason: the Dallas Stars. They’re coming off a rough season, but added Alexander Radulov, Ben Bishop, Marc Methot, and others to a roster fronted by Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn.

Next up are five teams at 14-1: the Anaheim Ducks, Nashville Predators, Tampa Bay Lightning, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Washington Capitals. So that’s four squads in the East and five teams in the West out of the top nine.

Here are the complete odds:

The high odds for the Blackhawks reflect a high degree of confidence despite significant losses from last year’s team. GM Stan Bowman was aggressive in making changes to make the Hawks younger and faster, although it remains to be seen whether it’ll make them better.

Chicago still has Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook, and Joel Quenneville, though, so you can see why people would still want to put their money on a group that’s won three Stanley Cups. If the kids are ready to step up, then the Hawks will have a shot at another championship, but it’s still a little surprising to see them tied for third in highest Cup odds in mid-September.

Talking Points