Morning Coffee: Reacting to Wednesday's flurry of NHL trading on the FanDuel futures markets

Tomorrow is not just another day in the sports calendar.

It's the big event that hockey fans have been waiting for.

We're just one sleeper away from TradeCentre on TSN.

Tonight, NHL fans can once again dream of the endless possibilities for their favorite teams and hope that their club's general manager finds the deal that will make them even more excited for the next chapter.

At this point, we are all optimistic that Wednesday's trading activity is a glimpse of things to come.

FanDuel's three Stanley Cup winners were all involved in Wednesday's flurry of trades, upgrading their rosters at key positions.

Meanwhile, the biggest name on the trade bait board is still in limbo this morning.

Jake Guentzel remains on the Pittsburgh Penguins roster.

Will this still be the case in 24 hours?

Let's hope so – at least in terms of the potential for James Duthie and the TSN Hockey panel to still break down a big trade live on TradeCentre.

First, we can look at how Wednesday's NHL trades impacted the futures markets on FanDuel.

This is the morning coffee for Thursday March 7, 2024.

Reacting to Wednesday's NHL trading frenzy on FanDuel's futures markets

The Edmonton Oilers, Florida Panthers and Colorado Avalanche are the top three prospects to win the Stanley Cup on FanDuel this morning.

All three candidates strengthened their squads on Wednesday.

Adam Henrique is going to the Oilers!

Edmonton is the second choice to win the Stanley Cup on @FanDuelCanada. pic.twitter.com/ZJj9OOi2aV

— TSN EDGE (@TSN_Edge) March 6, 2024

The Oilers acquired Adam Henrique and Sam Carrick from the Anaheim Ducks in a three-team trade involving the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The Panthers acquired Vladimir Tarasenko from the Ottawa Senators in exchange for draft picks.

Vladimir Tarasenko is traveling to Florida! 🌴

The Panthers are now favorites to win on @FanDuelCanada after adding the Stanley Cup champion to their roster. 👀 pic.twitter.com/DMX36srNpe

— TSN EDGE (@TSN_Edge) March 6, 2024

As it stands this morning, Edmonton and Florida are the two best candidates to win the Stanley Cup at 7-1 odds on FanDuel.

The Avalanche, who signed Casey Mittelstadt and Sean Walker in separate trades with the Buffalo Sabers and Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday, remain a close third pick at 8-1 on FanDuel to win it all.

The Avalanche are behind only the Oilers & Panthers in the Stanley Cup odds on @FanDuelCanada. 👀

Who won the Byram-Mittelstadt trade? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/oqxFUNpsYA

— TSN EDGE (@TSN_Edge) March 6, 2024

The Vegas Golden Knights also made a big splash when they acquired Noah Hanifin from the Calgary Flames.

Noah Hanifin is headed to the Golden Knights! 👀

Vegas is now +1000 to win the Stanley Cup on @FanDuelCanada 🏆 pic.twitter.com/tcHwhh3fnO

— TSN EDGE (@TSN_Edge) March 7, 2024

Additionally, in a separate trade, Vegas acquired Anthony Mantha from the Washington Capitals.

The Golden Knights, Carolina Hurricanes and Dallas Stars are all 10-1 to win.

From @salimvalji via @JayOnSC – How the Noah Hanifin transfer is viewed in the Flames locker room and what Calgary will do with goaltender Jacob Markstrom: https://t.co/r3eBfx0yhU pic.twitter.com/4KinXGJvd8

— TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) March 7, 2024

The Boston Bruins (+1100), New York Rangers (+1100), Toronto Maple Leafs (+1300) and Winnipeg Jets (+1300) round out the top 10 picks to win the Stanley Cup this morning on FanDuel.

Which of the top contenders is poised to make the biggest splash before Friday's NHL trade deadline?

How many trades will the Maple Leafs make on trade deadline day? 🤔

Their number is set at 1.5 on @FanDuelCanada. pic.twitter.com/8ftdwDxDy6

— TSN EDGE (@TSN_Edge) March 6, 2024

The avalanche got out of hand with the acquisition of Mittelstadt from Buffalo, which suggests that TradeCentre could still have a surprise or two in store.

At the same time, Guentzel is the biggest name remaining on the Trade Bait Board.

There is no doubt that signing Guentzel would provide a major boost to any team currently ranked among the top ten candidates to win the Stanley Cup.

Executives were busy Wednesday trying to exit before Friday's trading deadline. @CraigJButton joins @JayOnSC to discuss the completed deals and his expectations over the next two days: https://t.co/Fsa3k2suWG pic.twitter.com/5hZxvzP0TN

— TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) March 7, 2024

Four of the top six contenders to win it all are in the Western Conference, where the Oilers, Avalanche, Stars and Golden Knights all look like legitimate contenders.

Meanwhile, both the Jets and Canucks have the potential to surprise in the West.

In the East, the Panthers remain the obvious first choice as the defending conference champions and favorites to win the Presidents' Trophy on FanDuel.

#TradeCentre ANALYSIS – @DarrenDreger on the Florida Panthers acquiring Vladimir Tarasenko from the Ottawa Senators for two draft picks: https://t.co/c08wCzuJpn pic.twitter.com/CZXgRM0pmf

— TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) March 6, 2024

Will the Hurricanes, Bruins, Rangers or Maple Leafs make a significant contribution to challenging Florida for Eastern Conference supremacy?

With just over 24 hours to go, there is some optimism that one or more teams could strike a deal before the NHL trade deadline that puts them over the top.

Towns was sidelined indefinitely due to a knee injury

The Minnesota Timberwolves have the best record in the Western Conference after 62 games with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

This morning the team announced some potentially devastating injury news.

All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns will be sidelined indefinitely due to a torn meniscus in his left knee.

Just in: Minnesota Timberwolves All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns has been diagnosed with a torn meniscus in his left knee and is out indefinitely, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. pic.twitter.com/JlPe73PnN9

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 7, 2024

Minnesota's odds of winning the Western Conference rose from +950 to 13-1 following the news.

The Timberwolves also improved from 25-1 to 32-1 and won the NBA championship.

Towns is averaging 22.1 points, 8.4 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game this season.

ESPN sources: Timberwolves star Karl-Anthony Towns has suffered a left meniscus injury, but it remains unclear how long, if at all, he will be out. Cities and teams are working to fully understand the extent of the breach and whether immediate action is required.

– Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 7, 2024

Minnesota will visit the Indiana Pacers tonight on TSN.

Indiana is currently a two-point favorite on FanDuel, with a total of 228 points.