The NHL regular season doesn’t just determine playoff seeding; it also crowns the league’s best regular-season team with the Presidents’ Trophy. For bettors, this market is a great way to invest in consistency rather than the volatility of Playoff futures or even the Stanley Cup .

With that in mind, let’s take a look at the latest NHL odds for the Presidents’ Trophy, examine some of the top contenders, and make our NHL predictions for which team will finish with the best record this season.

What is the Presidents’ Trophy in the NHL?

The NHL Presidents’ Trophy was instituted by the Board of Governors just prior to the 1985-86 season. Prior to that season, the NHL allowed teams that finished with the best record in the regular season to hang a banner that said “NHL League Champions.”

As mentioned above, teams are awarded points for wins and overtime or shootout losses. These points are added up and the team the most is awarded the Presidents’ Cup. In the event of a tie, the team with the most wins in regulation play is given the award.

In the 37 seasons that the Presidents’ Cup has been awarded, only 18 teams have ever won it. No team has won more Presidents’ Cups than the Detroit Red Wings. The Red Wings have won the award six times. The Boston Bruins and New York Rangers are next with four wins.

Only eight times has the Presidents’ Cup winner gone on to win the Stanley Cup. The most recent team to do so was the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2012-13 season. The only team to win the Presidents’ Cup and the Stanley Cup in the same season and do it more than once is the Detroit Red Wings.

NHL Presidents’ Trophy Odds

Check out the latest NHL Presidents’ Trophy odds, courtesy of the top sports betting sites.

Not only are the Carolina Panthers the odds-on favorite to win the Presidents’ Trophy but they’re also one of the favorites to win the Stanley Cup this year. However, Vegas, Tampa Bay, and Edmonton are within slashing distance of the Panthers.

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NHL President’s Trophy Contenders

The following NHL teams are considered the top contenders to win the President’s Trophy:

Carolina Hurricanes (+650)

The Carolina Hurricanes enter the 2025–26 NHL season as the favorites to win the Presidents’ Trophy, and for good reason. They finished second in the Metropolitan Division last year with a 47-30-5 record, marking yet another season of elite consistency under head coach Rod Brind’Amour. Few teams in hockey maintain Carolina’s blend of puck possession, depth, and defensive structure. Even after losing key veterans like Brent Burns and Dmitry Orlov, the front office retooled quickly, adding defenseman K’Andre Miller and forward Nikolaj Ehlers to keep the roster among the league’s most complete.

Ehlers’ addition should give the Hurricanes a much-needed offensive spark. His elite skating and creativity fit perfectly into Brind’Amour’s forechecking system, while the core of Sebastian Aho, Andrei Svechnikov, and Martin Nečas remains intact. The Hurricanes already excel in shot generation and time of possession. If Ehlers can add finishing touch on the wing, Carolina’s offense could finally catch up to its defensive dominance. That’s an important ingredient for a team chasing the league’s best regular-season record.

Defensively, the Canes remain one of the most reliable units in the NHL. Even with offseason departures, Jacob Slavin, Jalen Chatfield, and Shayne Gostisbehere anchor a blue line that’s as mobile and balanced as any in the league. Rookie Alexander Nikishin could play a meaningful role as well after a standout year overseas. Combined with the goaltending tandem of Frederik Andersen and Pyotr Kochetkov, Carolina should again rank near the top in goals allowed — a key metric that often correlates strongly with Presidents’ Trophy winners.

Ultimately, Carolina’s stability separates them from the field. They rarely go through extended slumps, dominate possession in almost every matchup, and have the defensive discipline to win night after night. With their system firmly in place and a deeper offense than last year, the Hurricanes have both the roster balance and the coaching consistency to finish atop the NHL standings. At +650, they’re the safest and most logical bet to capture the Presidents’ Trophy in 2025–26.

Vegas Golden Knights (+750)

The Vegas Golden Knights continue to prove they’re one of the NHL’s most stable and successful franchises, and they once again look like a smart bet to contend for the Presidents’ Trophy. They finished last season first in the Pacific Division with a 50-22-10 record, despite a string of injuries to key players. Under head coach Bruce Cassidy, Vegas plays one of the league’s most structured and disciplined defensive systems — one that travels well and produces consistent results over an 82-game grind. With strong goaltending and an experienced core, this team is built for the regular season as much as the postseason.

The Knights’ biggest addition heading into 2025–26 is Mitch Marner, who joins a loaded top six that already includes Jack Eichel, Ivan Barbashev, and Jonathan Marchessault. Marner finished last year with 102 points (27 goals, 75 assists) and gives Vegas another elite playmaker who can both drive possession and elevate teammates. His chemistry with Eichel has looked seamless in camp and could turn Vegas into one of the NHL’s most balanced offensive units. The team’s biggest weakness last season — power-play inconsistency — should improve significantly with Marner’s vision and passing ability.

Defensively, Vegas remains rock solid. Even with Alex Pietrangelo sidelined early with a hip injury, the Golden Knights still have one of the deepest blue lines in the league. Noah Hanifin, Brayden McNabb, and Shea Theodore headline a unit that controls pace and limits high-danger chances. Hanifin’s emergence, in particular, gives the team another minute-eating defenseman who can contribute offensively and play in all situations. If Pietrangelo returns later in the year, Vegas’ defense could easily be the NHL’s best.

Between Cassidy’s defensive structure, the Eichel-Marner duo’s elite playmaking, and a veteran locker room that knows how to win, the Golden Knights check every box of a Presidents’ Trophy-caliber team. They’ve finished top five in point percentage in five of their first eight seasons as a franchise — an absurd level of consistency. At +750, Vegas offers great value for bettors looking for a balanced, experienced, and high-floor option to finish atop the NHL standings.

Edmonton Oilers (+750)

The Edmonton Oilers are once again one of the league’s most dangerous teams — and a legitimate Presidents’ Trophy contender after back-to-back Stanley Cup Final appearances. They finished last season third in the Pacific Division at 48-29-5, rallying from a slow start to post one of the NHL’s best second-half records. With Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl driving the offense, Edmonton has the top-end scoring punch to dominate the regular season. But beyond their two superstars, the roster is now deeper and more balanced than it’s been in years, which makes them a true threat to finish with the league’s best record.

The Oilers’ biggest challenge last year was goaltending consistency. Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard stabilized late in the season and held their own during Edmonton’s playoff run, and the tandem returns this year under new goaltending coach Peter Aubry. As long as Skinner maintains form and avoids the early-season struggles that plagued him in 2024–25, the Oilers’ elite offense will give them plenty of cushion to pile up wins. Edmonton’s defense — anchored by Darnell Nurse and Evan Bouchard — quietly improved last year, and the group now looks deeper than ever.

Offensively, there’s no ceiling. McDavid and Draisaitl remain the most dominant duo in the sport, and the team added intriguing pieces like Trent Frederic and Isaac Howard, both of whom bring secondary scoring depth and physicality. With Zach Hyman coming off another 50-goal campaign and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins providing steady two-way play, Edmonton’s top six can overwhelm opponents on a nightly basis. The Oilers also return one of the league’s best power plays, which has led the NHL in efficiency for three straight seasons — a huge factor in sustaining long winning streaks across an 82-game schedule.

If the goaltending holds up and the defense continues trending upward, the Oilers have every ingredient necessary for a Presidents’ Trophy run. They’ve proven they can beat elite teams, they’re well-conditioned for the grind, and their offensive engine rarely takes a night off. At +750, Edmonton offers tremendous value — a high-upside bet on the NHL’s most explosive offense, led by two generational players entering their primes.

Best Presidents’ Trophy Value Bets

These NHL teams offer the best betting value to finish with the best record in the league based on their rosters and current odds:

Dallas Stars (+1000)

The Dallas Stars have been a regular-season machine for two years running, and that profile fits the Presidents’ Trophy market perfectly. They finished 50-26-6 last season and reached the Western Conference Final, piling up wins with a blend of efficient offense and tight structure. Over 82, Dallas checks the “high floor” boxes you want: they score in waves, suppress chances, and rarely endure long slumps.

A big reason the Stars project so well again is balance. The top six can trade chances with anyone, while the middle six keep pressure on with responsible two-way play. On the back end, Dallas moves the puck cleanly and limits rush looks, which helps them win the nightly shot-share battle that drives regular-season standings. If Jake Oettinger shakes off last spring’s wobble — and there’s every expectation he will — Dallas’ goals-against should track back toward elite.

Behind the bench, Glen Gulutzan takes over a veteran, playoff-tested roster that doesn’t need a teardown, just incremental tweaks. His recent experience on a staff that went all the way to the Final reinforces the Stars’ detail-oriented approach: cleaner breakouts, quicker puck movement on entries, and small special-teams gains that add up across 82 games.

Depth is the kicker. Dallas keeps graduating useful pieces (with young forwards pushing for larger roles) while getting steady minutes from its defense core. That combination — playoff-caliber top talent plus repeatable depth — is exactly how you stack points from October to April. At +1000, the Stars offer one of the strongest value cases on the board to finish with the league’s best record.

New Jersey Devils (+1600)

The New Jersey Devils fit the classic value profile for the Presidents’ Trophy: elite talent up front, upgraded goaltending, and a believable path from last year’s variance to this year’s stability. They went 42-33-7 and finished third in the Metropolitan Division before bowing out in the first round, a season derailed more by injuries than by roster flaws. With Jack Hughes healthy, Jesper Bratt ascending, and Timo Meier driving play, New Jersey’s top six can push pace and win the nightly shot-share battle that tends to decide regular-season standings.

The single biggest lever is in net. The Devils brought in Jacob Markstrom to pair with Jake Allen, a tandem that simply needs to be steady for New Jersey’s territorial dominance to translate into wins. Last year’s goals-against spiked; getting back to league-average save percentage should flip several one-goal results and unlock the point totals their underlying metrics tease every season.

Depth scoring and lineup versatility also look better. Connor Brown arrives as the exact kind of middle-six plug-and-play winger who tilts shifts with work rate and detail, while Evgenii Dadonov adds proven finishing even in a limited role. Rookie Arseny Gritsyuk offers pop as a potential breakout, and a full year of Simon Nemec strengthens a mobile blue line that already moves the puck efficiently.

Add it up and you get a high-ceiling, high-tempo team that was more unlucky than broken. If the goaltending normalizes and the core stays on the ice, the Devils have the speed, shooting, and depth to stack points from October to April. At +1600, they’re one of the most compelling value bets on the board to chase the league’s best record.

Top Presidents’ Trophy Longshots

The following NHL teams are our favorite longshots to win the Presidents’ Trophy for the 2025-26 NHL season:

Toronto Maple Leafs (+1800)

The Toronto Maple Leafs profile as a classic regular-season accumulator. They went 52-26-4 last year and won the Atlantic Division before falling in the second round, and they did it with a far tighter, more structured approach under Craig Berube. Toronto cut goals against to 229 (t-8th fewest in the NHL) after allowing far more the year prior, a shift that shows up in nightly point totals across an 82-game slate. When you’re betting the Presidents’ Trophy, that kind of defensive stability matters as much as star power.

The big storyline is life after Mitch Marner. Toronto addressed the scoring gap by spreading responsibility across multiple additions — Matias Maccelli, Nicolas Roy, and Dakota Joshua — while trusting internal growth. None of them needs to replace Marner alone; the goal is a deeper, harder-to-check top nine that sustains pressure and wins the territorial battle shift after shift. If those new pieces simply finish at career norms, the Leafs’ five-on-five scoring should remain among the league’s best.

Health is another tailwind. Auston Matthews declared himself healthy after an injury-nagged spring and remains a good bet to flirt with 50+ goals again. With William Nylander driving his own line and John Tavares anchoring matchup-proof minutes, Toronto still rolls out three lines that can score, plus a power play that trends up with more north-south entries and quicker puck movement under Berube’s staff.

Put it together and the Leafs check the Presidents’ Trophy boxes: improved team defense, diversified offense, and elite finishing talent that rarely goes cold. If the Berube structure holds and the new forwards click, +1800 is a live number on a team that already proved it can stack wins and bank standings points all year.

Detroit Red Wings (+20000)

The Detroit Red Wings are a deep longshot, but there’s a real upside case if a few obvious levers flip. Detroit went 39-35-8 last season and missed the playoffs, but the roster math points to cleaner regular-season hockey: they took few penalties, added proven penalty-kill help in Mason Appleton, and should ice a deeper forward group around Dylan Larkin, Lucas Raymond, Alex DeBrincat, Patrick Kane, and J.T. Compher. A more disciplined, special-teams-sound profile is exactly how you quietly bank points from October to April.

Goaltending is the swing factor — and Detroit took a big cut at it. John Gibson arrives with real bounce-back potential after ranking near the top of the league in key even-strength save-percentage splits last year. If he stabilizes the crease and gives them league-average (or better) shot-stopping, several of last season’s one-goal games can flip, turning a bubble team into a standings climber over 82.

The defense also trends upward with more minutes for Simon Edvinsson and a healthier blue line overall. Detroit’s puck-moving has improved, which should feed the transition game where their top six thrives. Appleton’s two-way detail helps round out a checking line with Andrew Copp and Michael Rasmussen, the kind of unit that tilts shift-to-shift outcomes in the regular season.

There’s youth-driven upside, too. Nate Danielson looks NHL-ready after a strong year in Grand Rapids, and prospects like Amadeus Lombardi give Detroit fresh speed and energy for the bottom six. If Gibson hits and the kids provide replacement-level depth, the Wings’ ceiling is higher than the number suggests. At +20000, they’re a longshot with a clear, believable path: steadier goaltending, fewer mistakes, and enough top-six finishing to quietly stack wins.

NHL President’s Trophy Predictions

Vegas is the most “82-game proof” roster on the board. Bruce Cassidy’s structure drives repeatable results: they suppress slot chances, win special-teams moments, and roll four lines that don’t sag when the top unit is off the ice. Add Mitch Marner to a core featuring Jack Eichel, Jonathan Marchessault, and Ivan Barbashev, and you get a cleaner breakout, a sharper power play, and a top six that can bank points even on back-to-backs. Regular-season betting is about floor as much as ceiling, and Vegas’ night-to-night process has one of the highest floors in hockey.

On the back end, Noah Hanifin, Shea Theodore, and Brayden McNabb anchor a blue line that already limits high-danger looks — and any return from Alex Pietrangelo only raises the baseline. Goaltending doesn’t need to be elite; it just has to be steady behind a team that tilts the ice. With depth, coaching, and two stars who can drive lines independently, the Golden Knights have the most reliable recipe to finish atop the standings.

My NHL pick is VGK at +750 to capture the Presidents’ Trophy.

Bet: Vegas Golden Knights (+750)

NHL Presidents’ Trophy Winners

The following teams were the most recent winners of the NHL Presidents’ Trophy: