Strongest Teams That Didn't Win a Cup

[GordieHowsUrBreath]

I disagree with 08. Pens were lucky to even get to 6 games in 2008. Detroit was clearly the better team and when they turned it on Pittsburgh had no answer.

09 Detroit definitely would be in the conversation though. Two of Detroit's top 3 players were playing injured, or in the case of Datsyuk, not even playing the first 4 games. If Lidstrom and Datsyuk were close to healthy Detroit wins back-to-back in my opinion. But that's the playoffs. You have to be lucky to be healthy by the time the Finals rolls around.

pens only lost 2 games leading up to the finals in the playoffs

crosby, malkin, hossa and fleury were dominating, the whole team was firing on all cylinders

just because they lost to a superior team whom many believe is the best team post cap doesn't mean they weren't an amazing team too, i think the pens in 08 were better than 09

and don't forget crosby missed most of game 7 against detroit in 09 and they still won

 

[Golden_Jet]

I think the 05-06 Senators were one of the strongest teams of the last three decades and the idea that they didn't win the Cup still stuns me.

They were beyond dominant and well coached. I almost feel as if they played so well throughout the regular season that their intensity fell when it mattered the most and weren't able to find that second gear to ultimately win.

Ya Hasek getting injured at the Olympics and not playing again ruined that year
Sens 03 team and the 07 team also really good
07 team won the first 3 rounds 4-1 in each round the had a 13 day break while Anaheim had a 10 day break before finals started. Stupid NHL
03 team lost in game 7 of conference final in the last minute

 

[Mr Positive]

That Blues team with Pronger and MacInnis should have won more. There was Turgeon and Tkachuk among others. Maybe a bit weak in net. I can't recall exactly.

 

[LetsGoBLUES91]

2000 Blues were one of the best teams period that I have seen in the last 20 years.

They lost in the FIRST round of the playoffs. I was in 8th grade and it devastated me so bad that I was at best a casual hockey fan throughout high school. It crushed me.

 

[LetsGoBLUES91]

Coach Q, MVP Pronger, God mode Demitra, Macinnis, Handzus, Turgeon and about 10 others . Im having a PTSD flashback.

 

[jetsfan91]

That Blues team with Pronger and MacInnis should have won more. There was Turgeon and Tkachuk among others. Maybe a bit weak in net. I can't recall exactly.

I believe Turek won the jennings the year they choked in the playoffs.

 

[kirby11]

The 05-06 sabres would've rolled Edmonton if not for having to play 3 ahl defensemen in game 7 against the canes

 

[SillyRabbit]

2011 Canucks.

#1 in Points
#1 in Wins
#1 PP
#1 PK

Hart Trophy Winner
Art Ross Winner
Selke Winner
Jennings Winners

 

[HisIceness]

ESPN had a documentary on the 2003-04 Avalanche. On paper that team should have done a lot better than losing to San Jose in 6 in the 2nd round. But they were banged up for a good chunk of the season, they also IIRC were a win short of winning the NW Division and had to settle for the 4th seed.

Although now that I think about it, that San Jose team had a hell of a turn-around from the previous season and also reached 100+ standings points for the first time in franchise history. So maybe they should get a mention?

 

[SportsPhan8]

06 Red Wings
01 Devils
96 Red Wings
93 Pens
87 Flyers
86 Oilers
76 Flyers
71 Bruins

...it's hilarious that a lot of people here only pick teams from the past 15 years

 

[TomasHertlsRooster]

2011 Canucks are the best team I've ever seen, period. Not just a team that didn't win the Cup. Obviously excluding team Canada and teams like that.

Homer vote to the 2016 Sharks. Thornton was the 2nd best center in the league that year behind Crosby, Burns had the most points in a playoff run by a dman since Leetch in 1994, Pavelski had 13 goals through the first 3 rounds, Couture had 30 points, and Vlasic shut down every opponent's top goal scorer, they just ran into an absolutely loaded Pittsburgh team.

 

[Reality Check]

2000 Blues were one of the best teams period that I have seen in the last 20 years.

They lost in the FIRST round of the playoffs. I was in 8th grade and it devastated me so bad that I was at best a casual hockey fan throughout high school. It crushed me.

That's the Blues for ya. Chokers to the end.

In fairness, that 2000 team wasn't as strong as prior teams. But it goes without saying that they shouldn't have lost in the first round.

That same year or maybe the year before ESPN the magazine predicted them to win it all. Whoops.

2011 Canucks probably should have ended Canada's drought as well. But they choked in epic Brock Anton fashion and were never the same.

 

[KINGS17]

2013 Kings

2014 Blackhawks

 

[nbwingsfan]

On paper the 03/04 Avs have got to be up there. Unfortunate that both Kariya / Selanne were garbage instead of the PPG+ players they were expected.

The 09 Wings is another. No way they ever should have lost that series. Missing a chance to win another back to back is going to Haunt me for a few more years I imagine

 

[Fugazy]

2011 Canucks come to mind. They were so dominant all year long.

 

[tony d]

The 1996 Detroit Red Wings.

 

[njdevscup30]

Thinking of the Devils losing to Patrick Roy and Ray Bourque in 2001 still gets me riled up. The "trap" Devils actually had the #1 scoring offense in the league, and by far the best goal margin during the season. They were dominant through the playoffs and blew the 3-2 Cup series lead. That one hurt, though thankfully we made up for it in 2003.

 

[blundluntman]

Mid 90s Wings that took a couple of years to figure out out.

1986 Oilers. One lapse and they miss out on being the second team to win 5 in a row.

1970-71 Bruins. Four guys with over 100 points. Some rookie named Dryden foiled their plans.

Came here to post this. They really could'e had at least one more cup

 

[rfournier103]

06 Red Wings
01 Devils
96 Red Wings
93 Pens
87 Flyers
86 Oilers
76 Flyers
71 Bruins

...it's hilarious that a lot of people here only pick teams from the past 15 years

I'd say this list is the best one posted yet. I was actually going to narrow it down to the 1971 Bruins and 1986 Oilers. Those two were the best ever to not hoist the Cup.

Unlike the Oilers, the Bruins severely underachieved. They could have and should have had AT LEAST one more. Very sad.

 

[Voight]

2006 Red Wings

Prez Trophy winners 58-16-8
8x 50 point players
4x 80 point players
Peak Lidstrom (best season of his career)
Peak Draper (won Selke in 2004)
Well above league average in GF and GA
22% PP
85% PK

 

[Voight]

2011 Canucks come to mind. They were so dominant all year long.

Yea, they just fell apart at the worst possible time.

 

[firstemperor]

First team that comes to mind is the 09 Red Wings, thought they outplayed the Pens that year.

 

[jetsfan91]

Ottawa from 2003-2007

 

[Kardi]

2016 leafs

 

[evnted]

2016 leafs

disappointed it took this long.

OT: 93 pens, 96 wings, 01 devils