The 2020-2021 season is just one month away, so it’s time to start thinking about next year’s champion. With the NHL Draft over, teams are preparing for the future. The defending Stanley Cup champions Tampa Bay Lightning own the third-best odds at repeating as champions. Along with the Lightning, the Las Vegas Knights and Colorado Avalanche are at the top of the updated rankings.
However, there are two teams, both from Canada, that could be on the rise and have been swept under the radar. Every year there is a Cinderella team that is overlooked by the media and the public. The Toronto Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers could both play spoiler to some of the predetermined favorites. Don’t sleep on these three underdogs.
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Leafs have a stacked roster and it seems to have only gotten better. With the combination of Wayne Simmonds, T.J. Brodie, Jimmy Vesey, Travis Boyd, and Zach Bogosian, the Maple Leaves are one of the best NHL picks to win the title. Prior to last season, the Maples Leaves didn’t struggle due to the talent on the roster. It had everything to do with injuries and goaltending. Instead of trading away their core, Toronto found a way to upgrade their depth and defense for essentially nothing.
Martin Marincin #52 of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Carsen Twarynski #81 of the Philadelphia Flyers battle for position in front of Toronto Maple Leafs Goalie Frederik Andersen #31
The Maples Leafs were 35-26 last season, finishing third in the Atlantic Division to the Boston Bruins and Lightning. If the Maple Leafs can find a way to get over the hump and contend with one, or both, teams, then the 2021 season could be special.
The Maples Leafs have +1200 odds to win the Stanley Cup, which is the sixth-best in the league. The team has three to four different rotation options, which makes them a dangerous team if one of those clicks. With the depth that this squad possesses, many forget that Toronto still owns a pretty solid team.
Edmonton Oilers
When the Oilers were defeated by the Chicago Blackhawks in the playoffs last season, it came as a surprise to many. The fact of the matter is that the Oilers could be Stanley Cup favorites with just a little bit of retooling. The Oilers have two of the best players in the NHL in Connor McDavis and Leon Draisatl. McDavis finished last season with 97 points, 34 goals, and 63 assists, while Draisaitl won the Hart Trophy (MVP) and the Art Ross Trophy for leading the league in scoring (97 points, 34 goals, 63 assists).
Edmonton Oilers Goalie Cam Talbot (#33), Center Nolan Patrick (#19) of the Philadelphia Flyers and Defenseman Kevin Gravel (#5) of the Edmonton Oilers
The Oilers finished second in the Pacific Division and the only way the team is going to get over the hump is by shoring up their defense. Last year, the Oilers were outscored 154-144. The team signed Tyson Barrie to a one-year contract and is hopeful that Oscar Klefbom will play this season. At goaltender, the Oilers will have both goalies back in Mikko Koskinen and Mike Smith. Still, with two players that scored nearly 100 points apiece, you cannot ever count a team that produces like that.
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