Last season’s not over 3 days yet, and already the odds makers have Devils at 25 to 1 to win Cup in ’15

The odds makers surely don’t waste time.

Not even three full days removed from the end of the Stanley Cup Finals, the early odds are out for the 2014-15 season, and your New Jersey Devils are listed as 25 to 1 — good for 12th overall in the NHL.

These surprisingly high odds are based on the departure of Martin Brodeur, and the concept that Cory Schneider will get his first full season as the team’s No. 1 goalie.

CLICK HERE to read the recap on the Devils’ chances.

The early favourites to win the next Cup?

The Boston Bruins at 7 to 1, followed by Chicago and Los Angeles, also at 7 to 1.

The Rangers are listed at 14 to 1 odds, the Flyers at 50 to 1 and the Islanders at 60 to 1.

Are the odds-makers nuts here listing the Devils at 25 to 1 over a lot of other really good teams? Or, with Brodeur gone, can the Devils finally focus on making this Schneider’s team? Discuss in the comment here, on Google+ or on our Facebook Group (which you can reach/should join by clicking HERE). 

No one seems to know why Gary Bettman changed it from the Stanley Cup Finals to the Stanley Cup Final in 2006

The 1995 Patch

For whatever the reason, the NHL decided, in 2006, that the league’s championship series would go from being called to what most still call it — the Stanley Cup Finals — to the Stanley Cup Final. No S at the end.

Yet the reality is that prior to the 2006 Cup Finals (I will always write and speak it as the Finals), the final series of the year was actually called the Stanley Cup Championship (see classic logos), and not the Final(s).

The 2014 Patch

About the only people you’ll hear calling it the Final are the NBC announcers. Most others use the S.

So what is it?

The Stanley Cup Finals?

The Stanley Cup Final?

The Stanley Cup Championship?

The Stanley Cup Championships?

ONLY in the NHL. Thanks, as always, COMMISSIONER BETTMAN!

Kyle Clifford of Kings gets Cup for a day, and he ... bench presses it

Yup, that's right — Kyle Clifford spent the day with the Cup this summer in Ayr, Ontario, and he spent it bench pressing the trophy.

Well, at least he didn't piss in it like Mark Messier did in 1994.

See for yourself, eh.