Stanley Cup odds: Long shots that can win it all

The puck drops on the 2022-23 NHL campaign in just over a month.

While the Avalanche are favored to repeat as Stanley Cup champions - with perennial playoff teams like the Maple Leafs, Hurricanes, and Lightning seen as the biggest threats - there are a handful of teams with real potential to surprise.

Let's take a look at a few Stanley Cup long shots carrying value at their current prices.

Note: only choosing teams 30-1 or greater.

Los Angeles Kings (+3300)

The Kings were quietly a very potent team a season ago. At five-on-five, they ranked fifth in shot share and seventh in expected goals. They consistently outplayed their opponents at even strength. Unfortunately, the Kings weren't often rewarded. Despite slotting fifth in expected goal generation, they ranked 25th in actual goals. Generating quality chances wasn't much of a problem, but finishing sure was.

In dire need of more high-end skill up front, the Kings pulled the trigger on a trade to acquire Kevin Fiala from the Wild in exchange for futures. Fiala has long been an efficient point-producer and tied Vladimir Tarasenko for 10th in five-on-five scoring this past year. He will be a huge help.

With Fiala joining the fray, a healthy Drew Doughty back in the mix, and continued development from young forwards like Quinton Byfield and Arthur Kaliyev, among others, the Kings could take a real step forward this season.

Washington Capitals (+4000)

The Capitals are being slept on. A season ago, they ranked 13th in goal share - just below the Bruins and Oilers - despite .898 goaltending and no member of their second line appearing in 50 or more games. Anthony Mantha and T.J. Oshie figure to be in better health next season, while Dylan Strome is a very solid offensive player capable of holding down second-line center until Nicklas Backstrom potentially returns from injury. The addition of Connor Brown should also provide more depth and versatility on the wings.

Perhaps most importantly, the Capitals solidified their goaltending position with the signing of Darcy Kuemper. Some have soured on him following an iffy playoff run - in which he was never fully healthy - but he has quietly been one of the league's most efficient netminders for years. Kuemper's managed a .920 save percentage or better in three of the last four seasons. If he can give the Capitals anything close to that, it'll be a huge upgrade from what they had a season ago.

Put quality goaltending behind an attack featuring Alex Ovechkin, Evgeny Kuznetsov, John Carlson, and Co., and you're going to be a very dangerous team come playoff time.

Nashville Predators (+4000)

The Predators got top-tier seasons from many of their stars a season ago, with Matt Duchene, Filip Forsberg, Roman Josi, and Juuse Saros all putting forth ceiling years. Yet that was only good enough for the eighth seed in the West and a sweep out of the playoffs by the Avalanche.

Realizing the team clearly needed more talent, GM David Poile brought in some quality pieces this offseason. Ryan McDonagh is past his peak, to be sure, but he remains a quality top-four defenseman capable of logging big minutes against high-end competition. With McDonagh joining a blue line featuring Josi and Mattias Ekholm, Nashville's defense could be very good.

Nino Niederreiter should make a difference up front as well. He has averaged 27 goals per 82 games over the last two seasons. He's an underrated finisher who generates chances around the net in bulk, and he's also very sound defensively.

Similar to McDonagh, you can play Niederreiter against anybody and expect contributions at both ends of the ice.

With improvements made up front and on defense - and one of the NHL's best starting goaltenders - the Predators could surprise in 2022-23.

Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @ToddCordell.