The Vegas Golden Knights, St. Louis Blues, and Washington Capitals have all recently won their first Stanley Cup. So, which of the 11 teams without a Cup will be next to break the drought? We have identified four teams as the most likely candidates to win their first championship.
Ottawa Senators
Austin Nivison: The Senators made progress last season, with Tim Stützle and Brady Tkachuk emerging as top players. They also have several young key players under 25, as well as key defensemen Thomas Chabot and Jakob Chychrun. The Senators have the potential to make the playoffs and start their Cup window, especially with two first-round picks in the upcoming NHL Draft.
Chris Bengel: The Senators had a strong season in 2022-23 and added veteran forward Vladimir Tarasenko. With a talented roster and youth on their side, the Senators are ready to take big strides in the upcoming season and beyond.
Florida Panthers
Nivison: The Panthers fell short of winning their first Stanley Cup last season but have a strong team led by Matthew Tkachuk. With players like Aleksander Barkov, Sam Bennett, and a solid defense, the Panthers have the potential to compete in the Eastern Conference.
Bengel: The Panthers had a successful season in 2022-23, reaching the Stanley Cup Final. With an impressive core group of players, including Tkachuk and Barkov, the Panthers have the talent to continue their success in the future.
Buffalo Sabres
Nivison: The Sabres have an exciting group of forwards, with players like Tage Thompson, Jeff Skinner, and young talent like Alex Tuch and Dylan Cozens. Their defense is anchored by Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power, providing a strong foundation for the team’s future. A solid goaltender could help the Sabres end their playoff drought.
Bengel: Despite missing the playoffs for 12 consecutive seasons, the Sabres have shown signs of improvement. Forward Tage Thompson has been a standout goal scorer, and their defense is strengthened by Dahlin and Power. Finding a franchise goaltender would further boost the team’s potential.
Seattle Kraken
Nivison: The Kraken have the reigning Calder Trophy winner, Matty Beniers, as their top center. With a deep roster including Jared McCann and strong defensemen like Vince Dunn, the Kraken have a promising future. They also have salary cap flexibility and draft capital to continue building their roster.
Bengel: In their second season, the Kraken have a strong core group of players, led by Calder Trophy winner Beniers and defenseman Dunn. With a talented forward group and solid defense, the Kraken have the potential to be a top team in the Western Conference.
