The NHL offseason has reached a particularly quiet phase, with most activity subsiding between late July and late August. During this time, league insiders retreat to their summer getaways, players share glimpses of their vacations and weddings on social media, and fans can anticipate a relative lull in significant team movements. This period of inactivity often reflects in the betting markets, making it an opportune moment for analysis of potential futures bets for the upcoming 2025-26 season ahead of preseason action.

One intriguing futures bet is the Florida Panthers at +310 to win the Eastern Conference. While predicting conference champions is notoriously challenging, many analysts find it hard to envision a scenario where another team emerges as the favorite over the Panthers given their recent performance. The odds suggest a strong confidence in their capability to repeat previous successes. Additionally, the Minnesota Wild's prospects of making the playoffs are perceived favorably at -150, a scenario that several analysts also find sensible despite unusual odds concerning teams like the Los Angeles Kings.

Among other notable futures, the Pittsburgh Penguins are projected to finish under 78.5 regular-season points, suggesting a year dedicated to retooling rather than immediate playoff contention. Conversely, the Dallas Stars are positioned at +225 to win the Central Division, despite skepticism from bookmakers, as they aim to leverage their core and coaching changes for improved performance. Other teams like the Detroit Red Wings present an interesting value at +260 for playoff contention, especially following offseason acquisitions like goaltender John Gibson. Meanwhile, pundits suggest caution when considering the Tampa Bay Lightning under 101.5 regular-season points, given their substantial historical benchmarks.