Odds to win the 2017-18 NHL Stanley Cup

The Penguins have been perennial competitors for the Stanley Cup and will likely remain that way as long as Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are around. They're looking to make and win their third consecutive Stanley Cup Final next season.

Perhaps no team is set up better for the long term than the Oilers with stars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, along with Cam Talbot. The Oilers hope to win their first Stanley Cup since 1990.

The Lightning raised Lord Stanley's Cup in 2004 and returned to the Final just two years ago. Star Nikita Kucherov certainly has the ability to put the team on his back, despite the Lightning missing out on the playoffs this year.

The Caps have plenty of talent, led by Nicklas Backstrom, Alex Ovechkin and elite goaltender Braden Holtby. Washington finished with 118 points during the regular season, leading all NHL teams. There are some big free agent question marks for the team entering the offseason, but clearly the Caps are one of the top teams in the league.

Chicago had a disappointing playoffs after leading the Western Conference with 109 points. With stars Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews, it would be foolish to count them out next season.

After an impressive 46-win season, the Ducks hope to win their first Stanley Cup since 2007. Center Ryan Getzlaf leads the way.

It was a forgettable season for Dallas, failing to make the playoffs with only 79 points. The team is hoping for improvement next season from Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin.

The Wild had a solid year of growth, finishing the regular season with 106 points, and received nice years from Mikael Granlund and Eric Staal. Minnesota has momentum going into next season despite an untimely playoff defeat.

Montreal fans are obviously disappointed after the Canadiens led the Atlantic Division in points during the regular season but flaming out in the postseason. Led by Max Pacioretty, the team hopes to go much further in the playoffs in 2018.

The Preds came together at the right time after sneaking into the playoffs. Viktor Arvidsson and P.K. Subban will be big factors in keeping Nashville on the right track.

A solid 102-point regular season was left unsatisfying after the Rangers were ousted in the second round of the playoffs. An impressive offensive attack led by Mats Zuccarello still gives the Rangers a fighting chance next year.

The Leafs fell to the Capitals in the first round of the playoffs, but the organization made a huge jump from 69 points in 2015-16 to 95 points this year. Auston Matthews is quickly becoming a star after going first overall in the 2016 draft.

The Blue Jackets got an elite season out of goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, who led the league with only 2.06 goals against and a .932 save percentage. He's capable of singlehandedly carrying the team in the playoffs, but the Jackets got a bad draw against Pittsburgh this year.

After three phenomenal seasons, the Kings sat at home during the playoffs in 2017. Veteran Jeff Carter had another consistent year, but the Kings have been heading in the wrong direction.

The scoring-deficient Sharks lost in the first round of the playoffs to Edmonton. They could certainly use some front-line offense after finishing 19th in scoring this season, led by defenseman Brent Burns.

After finishing the regular season with 95 points, Boston lost to Ottawa in the first round of the playoffs. The Bruins showed strong defense at times, but winger Brad Marchand could use some help.

The Flames were swept by Anaheim in the first round of the playoffs, so it remains to be seen how they approach the offseason. They did have a 17-point improvement during the regular season over 2015-16, with Johnny Gaudreau leading the team in points.

A surprise team during the playoffs, the Senators took Pittsburgh to the brink during the Eastern Conference Final. Could lightning strike twice? The team likely needs to improve its attack after finishing 22nd in scoring during the regular season, as Kyle Turris led the way with only 27 goals.

Blues fans have become used to disappointment in the playoffs, and it happened again this year with Nashville taking St. Louis down in the second round. Vladimir Tarasenko is a budding star offensively, but the Blues went in the wrong direction during the regular season.

After a 103-point 2015-16 season, Florida missed out on the playoffs and had a coaching change. The Panthers are just one year removed from a that successful season, so there is reason for hope.

The Islanders just missed out on a playoff spot due in large part to their mediocre defense and power play. They still had 94 points during the regular season, so John Tavares and company aren't far away from getting back.

Philly had a nondescript 88-point season and could certainly be looking at changes this offseason. Jakub Voracek led the team with 61 points during the regular season.

The Jets were a fun team to watch for fans who like goal scoring, finishing seventh in goals but 27th in goals against. Center Mark Scheifele easily had a career year, which does give the team some hope going forward.

It was a sour season for Buffalo, finishing last in the Atlanta Division. The Sabres at least got out of the NHL cellar over the last two seasons but had major trouble generating goals outside of the power play, with Evander Kane leading the team in scoring.

Jeff Skinner has become a very formidable offensive force for Carolina, but the Hurricanes were left watching the playoffs. They've had trouble getting over the hump in recent seasons and are far removed from their 2006 Stanley Cup win.

It was yet another brutal year for the Coyotes, finishing the year with only 30 wins and 70 points. Veteran Radim Vrbata led the team in both goals and assists in his return to the organization after two years in Vancouver.

Colorado had an absolutely horrendous year with only 48 points, finishing last in goals and goals allowed. Center Nathan MacKinnon needs much more help.

The Red Wings had a terribly disappointing year with 79 points during the regular season and certainly need to get younger. Henrik Zetterberg, going on age 37, led the team in points.

New Jersey had a brutal 70-point season, struggling in nearly every facet. New face Taylor Hall was a bright spot with 53 points in 72 games.

As if their 2015-16 total of 75 points wasn't disappointing enough, the Canucks regressed to 69 points this year. The loss of head coach John Tortorella two years ago has coincided with the organization's struggles, though young center Bo Horvat was a bright spot this year.

Former Blue Jackets and Panthers head coach Gerard Gallant will lead an expansion squad in Vegas projected to have very little chance of hoisting Lord Stanley's Cup in its first season.