Who is next to win their first cup?

[DEVILS130]

After the Caps did it, there are only 12 NHL teams that have not yet won the cup. Who is next? Some obvious choices in the near term (NSH, WPG) but also some long-term dark horses (CBJ, FLA, BUF). In any case, hoping we see some of these teams win soon. Those are the best finals to watch imo

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[StatisticsAddict99]

Jets though I’d say Nashville but it sounds as if they’re too impatient as many people are speculating they’re gonna move high end key players...

 

[Trilliann]

Jets or Preds, homer vote for Jets.

 

[rent free]

Buffalo. People aren't looking at the future just recent bias.

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

Buffalo. People aren't looking at the future just recent bias.

people aren't projecting the worst team in the league to win a cup any time soon because they need to see some sort of evidence that things are going to turn around. Unproven players like Dahlin and Mittelstadt aren't evidence that Buffalo will go from the worst to the best team, and nobody will treat it as such until it actually happens

 

[DaveG]

people aren't projecting the worst team in the league to win a cup any time soon because they need to see some sort of evidence that things are going to turn around. Unproven players like Dahlin and Mittelstadt aren't evidence that Buffalo will go from the worst to the best team, and nobody will treat it as such until it actually happens

Exactly, I mean I like what Buffalo's building, but if they do something stupid to try to fast-track the rebuild again they're not going to sniff a cup.

Biggest 3 contenders on this list right now are Columbus, Nashville, and Winnipeg, though if Nashville does shake things up 1: please send Rinne to Carolina, and 2: that's probably going to drop them from this list for me, would say St Louis would be most likely to replace them.

 

[Thenameless]

If one of them wins soon, it'll be the Jets. If the Jets can't win in the Laine era, then who knows.

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

i'd probably take Winnipeg here. They have the best roster, and some nice young players coming along like Niku and Vesalainen.

 

[VoluntaryDom]

Perds

 

[libertarian]

Most likely to win next:
Jets and Preds, Both teams could just make minor adjustment in the off season and should still be a major SC contender.

CBJ, prove they can get out of the Metro in the PO's


Knights, depending what they do in the off season. Knights need to be able to hold onto their UFA's and maybe improve their D.

Don't see any other teams at the moment that can win it all.

Buf looks good on paper but like others have already mentioned they have to prove it first.

Edit: had the leafs in here originally until another poster reminded me the won the cup 50 years ago and I had totally forgot about that. My bad

 

[VoluntaryDom]

Most likely to win next:
Jets and Preds, Both teams could just make minor adjustment in the off season and should still be a major SC contender.

CBJ, prove they can get out of the Metro in the PO's


Leafs and Knights, depending what they do in the off season. Leafs need to upgrade their D. They do that and they can move up with the Jets and Preds. Knights need to be able to hold onto their UFA's and maybe improve their D.

Don't see any other teams at the moment that can win it all.

Buf looks good on paper but like others have already mentioned they have to prove it first.

Wouldn’t be the leafs first cup

 

[Hockeyholic]

If one of them wins soon, it'll be the Jets. If the Jets can't win in the Laine era, then who knows.

I don't think they will win. Maurice doesn't do it for me. I'm not sold on their goaltending either. I see them regressing next year.

 

[DDRhockey]

Toronto

 

[Thenameless]

I don't think they will win. Maurice doesn't do it for me. I'm not sold on their goaltending either. I see them regressing next year.

I like Maurice as a coach. Goaltending is certainly up and down. Even if they regress next year, they still have a pretty big window to figure it out and eventually get it done - Laine's 20 and Ovechkin just did it at 32. Of the teams on the list Winnipeg is easily the most talented and deep. The possible problem of keeping the team together will come up pretty soon though.

 

[weaponomega]

I think Nashville, Winnipeg and Columbus are the closest.

 

[Gains]

Columbus could have a trajectory similar to the 2012 Kings if they make the right trades.

 

[SotasicA]

The Panthers, in 2069, lead by their star d-man Ekman Oliver-Larsson.

 

[ChiefWiggum]

For me, if everybody stays pat, it will be either Nashville or Winnipeg. But if Vegas goes and and becomes a big player in free agency (TAVARES, CARLSON) then I definitely wont rule out them

 

[No Fun Shogun]

I'd personally say the Predators.

 

[Pyrophorus]

Wouldn’t be the leafs first cup

f***! They've won 13. Second most in the NHL. OP doesn't hockey too well.

 

[bukwas]

Tough one. Tempting to go Preds but i'll split my vote between Florida and Columbus.

 

[Filatov2Kovalev2Bonk]

Went with Preds with Columbus close second. Think Jets are too big-bodied for today's game so sleeping on them at the moment.

 

[Garbage Goal]

Long-term I will be very surprised if Buffalo doesn't get at least one with a core of Dahlin/Eichel/Ristolainen/Reinhart/Mistellstatt (sp?) and whoever else comes along. Presently, I would say the Jets are the safest to win it first. Good chance they could have won it this year if it weren't for the Knights continuing their crazy run. Only other team that is immediately ready I think is the Preds. I think their window is a lot smaller at the moment and I like the Jets roster better. St. Louis could be up there with the Preds/Jets pretty soon if Thomas can step into the 2C or 1C role nicely and Schenn repeats his production from last year.

 

[AvroArrow]

Winnipeg, Columbus, Buffalo all should have a decent shot imo in the next few years.

 

[DEVILS130]

****! They've won 13. Second most in the NHL. OP doesn't hockey too well.

Ummm Toronto isn’t anywhere in this poll that I made. Unless you’re referring to the OP that he’s responding to....