After Oilers lose to Panthers again, where do Canada's teams stand amid Stanley Cup drought?
The Stanley Cup drought for Canadian teams reached 32 years after the Edmonton Oilers lost to the Florida Panthers in a second consecutive final on Tuesday.
What about next year? Here's a look at where each of the seven Canadian clubs stands heading into next season — and which might be closest to ending the skid.
Calgary Flames
After narrowly missing the playoffs, the Flames will try to strike a balance between developing around their emerging young talent and punching a little higher next season. The Stanley Cup? Probably not happening.
Dustin Wolf was Calgary's MVP in his rookie season and appears to be a franchise goalie. Young wingers Matt Coronato and Connor Zary also represent hope for the future, while top defence prospect Zayne Parekh could enter the fray.
Story continues below advertisement
Calgary also has quality veterans like Nazem Kadri and Jonathan Huberdeau pushing to end a three-year playoff drought, but the Flames are still firmly in a 'retool' period.
Edmonton Oilers
Spearheaded by superstar duo Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, the Oilers should be best-positioned to fight for the Stanley Cup again. Edmonton dominated the Western Conference playoffs for two straight seasons before running into a deep and relentless Panthers team both times.
The Oilers need to sign star defenceman Evan Bouchard to run it back. The pending restricted free agent is due a massive raise from his US$3.9 million cap hit after producing 55 points in his last 47 playoff games.
Story continues below advertisement
McDavid has one year left on his contract, adding potential stakes to next season. The Oilers captain is eligible for an extension on July 1.
Also, will the Oilers make a move for a true No. 1 goalie after inconsistent performances from Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard?
1:42
Edmonton Oilers fans heartbroken after Stanley Cup final loss
Montreal Canadiens
Get breaking National news
For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy
Montreal's future is bright, but the Canadiens are likely a few seasons away from fighting for a Stanley Cup.
The Canadiens boast a young core of captain Nick Suzuki, winger Cole Caufield and Lane Hutson, a shifty defenceman who won the Calder Trophy. Dazzling forward Ivan Demidov could contend for rookie of the year himself next season.
Montreal was the youngest team in this year's playoffs, where they lost a first-round series to the Washington Capitals in five games, and could be even younger next season as more players from the franchise's deep prospect pool graduate to the NHL.
Story continues below advertisement
Major off-season additions — particularly a second-line centre — are possible, but general manager Kent Hughes is taking a patient approach to build a sustainable winner.
Ottawa Senators
The Senators took a major step with a playoff berth last season, signalling the end of a long, painful rebuild.
Led by captain Brady Tkachuk, centre Tim Stutzle and defenceman Jake Sanderson, the Senators are young, talented and trending in the right direction. Much like the Canadiens, however, are they close to making the leap from playoff contender to Stanley Cup contender?
Ottawa has a solid supporting cast, but still has holes to fill. GM Steve Staios could be active in his search for a top-four defenceman and a top-six winger this off-season. Veteran forward Claude Giroux also needs a contract.
Story continues below advertisement
1:26
Canada's NHL teams optimistic about ending Stanley Cup drought
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Maple Leafs have only won two series in their 'Core Four' era despite reaching the playoffs nine straight years. Now the DNA, as GM Brad Treliving put it, looks like it's about to change in Toronto.
Star winger Mitch Marner is a pending free agent and could leave his boyhood club, former captain John Tavares also needs a contract, and Treliving appears ready to make bold moves.
Then again, the Leafs led the Stanley Cup-champion Panthers 2-0 in their second-round series and pushed them to a Game 7. They also won the Atlantic Division with a smothering defensive style in their first year under coach Craig Berube.
No matter how the off-season shakes out, the Leafs should return to the playoffs. But will it be any different once they get there?
Story continues below advertisement
Vancouver Canucks
The Canucks looked a contender last year in a seven-game second-round series against Edmonton. That feels like a long time ago.
Vancouver's followup went off the rails in a past season marked by off-ice drama between star forwards Elias Pettersson and since-traded J.T. Miller.
Many uncertainties now surround the Canucks. Will Pettersson, once viewed as a top No. 1 centre, rediscover his 100-point form? Can goalie Thatcher Demko, elite when healthy, get through a season injury-free?
Story continues below advertisement
Head coach Rick Tocchet left Vancouver for Philadelphia, with Adam Foote taking over behind the bench. Forward Brock Boeser might also exit in free agency.
Canucks management will be desperate to get the franchise back on track with superstar defenceman Quinn Hughes due for a new contract in two years, but the path to the Stanley Cup, at least for next season, feels steep.
Winnipeg Jets
No team has won more than Winnipeg over the past two regular seasons, but the Jets are rarely mentioned as a Cup favourite.
Star goalie Connor Hellebuyck, defenceman Josh Morrissey, and forwards Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele helped lead a deep and well-rounded team to the Presidents' Trophy last season.
Winnipeg, however, fell in the second round to Dallas after needing a miracle to scrape past St. Louis. Hellebuyck's sensational regular-season play – earning him this year's Hart and Vezina trophies – also hasn't translated into the playoffs.
The Jets might lose winger Nikolaj Ehlers, who's one of six unrestricted free agents on the roster. Most other key pieces should return to the Manitoba capital. The question is: How much further can this group go?
4:25
John Shannon on the Jets: Looking to the offseason
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
Windsorite Aaron Ekblad wins Stanley Cup as Edmonton Oilers fail to get over the hump
Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad raises the Stanley Cup trophy after defeating the Edmonton Oilers, Monday, June 24, 2024, in Sunrise, Fla. The Panthers defeated the Oilers 2-1. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) Wednesday's grey skies matched the mood of many Canadian hockey fans after hockey's holy grail was won and will stay in Florida. The Panthers beat the Edmonton Oilers 5-1 to claim the Stanley Cup in six games. 'I was pretty upset about the loss, but I was very happy with his (Florida defenceman and Windsorite Aaron Ekblad) individual success and he's making Windsor proud.' Ekblad is a Stanley Cup champion for the second straight year. He told CTV News his brother couldn't be in Florida for Game 7 last June so winning with his brother in attendance was special. 'He's a special human and a special person and just to have him there was a pretty awesome for me,' he said. Florida head coach and former Windsor Spitfire Paul Maurice thought his veterans allowing the first-year guys to skate with the cup after captain Alexander Barkov was awesome. 'The awareness of each other. All those guys who touched it first, it was their first cup. So, that's what makes these men special.' Maurice said after the game. Ekblad received the cup from Dmitri Kulikov, in what he describes as a special moment. 'An awesome father. awesome friend, teammate, just somebody I really respect,' said Ekblad. Florida became the third team in the salary cap era to repeat as champs following Tampa Bay in 2020-21 and Pittsburgh in 2016-17. 'Probably one of the hardest things or the hardest trophy in sports to win so winning it once is an incredible achievement, but winning it twice and back-to-back, it's almost impossible,' said Tom Khunhackl, a former Windsor Spitfire. Khunhackl won back-to-back with the Penguins and relived his experience while watching Tuesday's cup clincher. 'Fortunate enough to be in an organization with the Pittsburgh Penguins and then winning the Stanley Cup back-to-back is something you obviously never forget, and I still think about it thinking it's a dream,' he said. Florida forward Matthew Tkachuk feels the Panthers are a dynasty, having made it to three straight cup finals. Edmonton has now made two straight appearances, without a win, but former Oiler Zack Kassian doesn't feel Edmonton's window of opportunity has closed. 'Obviously there's a lot of hard work and a long road ahead, but if there's a team that can do it, Edmonton is one of them and I don't think it's too farfetched, because if you look at the Florida Panthers, they just did it,' Kassian said. While it's too early to talk about bringing the Stanley Cup back here to Essex County, Lakeshore Mayor Tracy Bailey does say that she looks forward to speaking to the Ekblad family to perhaps make that happen in Lakeshore a second year in a row.
CBC
2 hours ago
- CBC
Where do Canadian teams stand amid Stanley Cup drought?
Social Sharing The Stanley Cup drought for Canadian teams reached 32 years after the Edmonton Oilers lost to the Florida Panthers in a second consecutive final on Tuesday. What about next year? Here's a look at where each of the seven Canadian clubs stand heading into next season — and which might be closest to ending the skid. Calgary Flames After narrowly missing the playoffs, the Flames will try to strike a balance between developing around their emerging young talent and punching a little higher next season. The Stanley Cup? Probably not happening. Dustin Wolf was Calgary's MVP in his rookie season and appears to be a franchise goalie. Young wingers Matt Coronato and Connor Zary also represent hope for the future, while top defence prospect Zayne Parekh could enter the fray. Calgary also has quality veterans like Nazem Kadri and Jonathan Huberdeau pushing to end a three-year playoff drought, but the Flames are still firmly in a "retool" period. Edmonton Oilers Spearheaded by superstar duo Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, the Oilers should be best-positioned to fight for the Stanley Cup again. Edmonton dominated the Western Conference playoffs for two straight seasons before running into a deep and relentless Panthers team both times. The Oilers need to sign star defenceman Evan Bouchard to run it back. The pending restricted free agent is due a massive raise from his US$3.9 million cap hit after producing 55 points in his last 47 playoff games. McDavid has one year left on his contract, adding potential stakes to next season. The Oilers captain is eligible for an extension on July 1. Also, will the Oilers make a move for a true No. 1 goalie after inconsistent performances from Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard? Montreal Canadiens Montreal's future is bright, but the Canadiens are likely a few seasons away from fighting for a Stanley Cup. The Canadiens boast a young core of captain Nick Suzuki, winger Cole Caufield and Lane Hutson, a shifty defenceman who won the Calder Trophy. Dazzling forward Ivan Demidov could contend for rookie of the year himself next season. Montreal was the youngest team in this year's playoffs, where they lost a first-round series to the Washington Capitals in five games, and could be even younger next season as more players from the franchise's deep prospect pool graduate to the NHL. Major off-season additions — particularly a second-line centre — are possible, but general manager Kent Hughes is taking a patient approach to build a sustainable winner. Ottawa Senators The Senators took a major step with a playoff berth last season, signalling the end of a long, painful rebuild. Led by captain Brady Tkachuk, centre Tim Stutzle and defenceman Jake Sanderson, the Senators are young, talented and trending in the right direction. Much like the Canadiens, however, are they close to making the leap from playoff contender to Stanley Cup contender? Ottawa has a solid supporting cast, but still has holes to fill. General manager Steve Staios could be active in his search for a top-four defenceman and a top-six winger this off-season. Veteran forward Claude Giroux also needs a contract. Toronto Maple Leafs The Maple Leafs have only won two series in their "Core Four" era despite reaching the playoffs nine straight years. Now the DNA, as GM Brad Treliving put it, looks like it's about to change in Toronto. Star winger Mitch Marner is a pending free agent and could leave his boyhood club, former captain John Tavares also needs a contract, and Treliving appears ready to make bold moves. Then again, the Leafs led the Stanley Cup-champion Panthers 2-0 in their second-round series and pushed them to a Game 7. They also won the Atlantic Division with a smothering defensive style in their first year under coach Craig Berube. No matter how the off-season shakes out, the Leafs should return to the playoffs. But will it be any different once they get there? Vancouver Canucks The Canucks looked like a contender last year in a seven-game second-round series against Edmonton. That feels like a long time ago. Vancouver's follow-up went off the rails in a past season marked by off-ice drama between star forwards Elias Pettersson and since-traded J.T. Miller. Many uncertainties now surround the Canucks. Will Pettersson, once viewed as a top No. 1 centre, rediscover his 100-point form? Can goalie Thatcher Demko, elite when healthy, get through a season injury-free? Head coach Rick Tocchet left Vancouver for Philadelphia, with Adam Foote taking over behind the bench. Forward Brock Boeser might also exit in free agency. Canucks management will be desperate to get the franchise back on track with superstar defenceman Quinn Hughes due for a new contract in two years, but the path to the Stanley Cup, at least for next season, feels steep. Winnipeg Jets No team has won more than Winnipeg over the past two regular seasons, but the Jets are rarely mentioned as a Cup favourite. Star goalie Connor Hellebuyck, defenceman Josh Morrissey, and forwards Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele helped lead a deep and well-rounded team to the Presidents' Trophy last season. Winnipeg, however, fell in the second round to Dallas after needing a miracle to scrape past St. Louis. Hellebuyck's sensational regular-season play — earning him this year's Hart and Vezina trophies — also hasn't translated into the playoffs. The Jets might lose winger Nikolaj Ehlers, who's one of six unrestricted free agents on the roster. Most other key pieces should return to the Manitoba capital. The question is: How much further can this group go?
CTV News
2 hours ago
- CTV News
Key factors in Oilers' 2025 Stanley Cup Final demise
The Florida Panthers have defeated the Edmonton Oilers again, this time in Game 6, to win their second straight Stanley Cup. The Florida Panthers have defeated the Edmonton Oilers again, this time in Game 6, to win their second straight Stanley Cup. It was a playoff run for the ages. The Edmonton Oilers came up short, of course, losing in six games to the Florida Panthers in a Stanley Cup Final rematch, but the Blue-and-Orange's journey to the championship series was marked by characteristics that played major factors in the progression not just of their 2024-25 National Hockey League campaign but from previous seasons as well. Here's a look at those key elements of the Oilers' recently completed playoff run. Panthers vs. Oilers Game 6 Edmonton Oilers right wing Kasperi Kapanen (42) looks to pass the puck as Florida Panthers center Anton Lundell (15) defends during the third period of Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final Tuesday, June 17, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (Lynne Sladky/AP) Panthers defence/forecheck They saw it coming, and the Oilers knew from experience what they were getting into with a Stanley Cup rematch from last year: the Panthers' forecheck and defensive play. It was even better this year and was evident from the start of the Cup Final. And the aggressive, relentless team-wide pressure influences the next two key factors of this series, but I'll get into that soon enough. While the Oilers at times found ways around the constant in-your-face style employed by Florida, resulting in little time and space for any Oiler – from the fourth line up to the magic-weaving likes of McDavid and Draisaitl – to generate offence. 'Their forecheck was great, they tilted the rink,' McDavid said after Game 6. 'They were able to stay on top of us all over the place and we were never really able to generate any momentum up the ice. We kept trying the same thing over and over again, banging our heads against the wall. Oilers-Panthers Game 6 heat map A heat map showing from what areas of the ice the Edmonton Oilers and the Florida Panthers took their shots in Game 6 of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final played June 17, 2025. (Natural Stat Trick) While in the deciding game the Oilers played like a team that knew it needed to find a way to break through and looked like they tried their darnedest to get to goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, they simply couldn't. It was in Game 5 back at Rogers Place on Saturday that their inability was even more evident, the quality of scoring chances and shots essentially being pushed to the perimeter. Basically, the Oilers were unable to penetrate the bastion protected by the relentless Panthers defence. Bobrovsky, while excellent when he needed to be, deftly batted aside the softballs the Oilers helplessly tossed his way over the rampart. 'We didn't get to their goaltender enough, either in Game 5 or Game 6,' Oilers defenceman Mattias Ekholm said Tuesday after going down in defeat. 'We weren't able to generate a goal in the first 40 minutes of either game. Give them credit, they're a good team.' Panthers vs. Oilers Game 6 Edmonton Oilers' Connor McDavid (97) and Leon Draisaitl (29) talk on the bench during the third period in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup final against the Florida Panthers in Sunrise, Fla., on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. (Nathan Denette/THE CANADIAN PRESS) Limit McDavid, Draisaitl Like McDavid said in the previous section, the Panthers smothered the Oilers' attack, which of course is spearheaded most games by him and Draisaitl. It's not to say the Oilers' two stars didn't score or get chances in the Stanley Cup Final. McDavid netted a goal and six assists for seven points in the six-game final, Draisaitl eight on four goals, two of them in overtime, and four assists. But each were kept off the scoresheet in two of the games against Florida, both pivotal: the overtime Oilers loss in Game 2 and Tuesday's series finale. If the Oilers score in OT instead in the second game, the Cup Final is certainly a different series. And the dynamic duo getting shut down completely in an elimination game, that's saying something about the Panthers for sure. They're deserving champions. 'We battled, but we're not leaving here as winners,' Draisaitl said Tuesday night after the loss. 'They were better. Just deeper.' Panthers vs. Oilers Florida Panthers' Carter Verhaeghe (23) scores on Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner (74) as Evan Bouchard (2) defends during the first period in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup final in Sunrise, Fla., on Monday, June 9, 2025. (Nathan Denette/THE CANADIAN PRESS) Turnovers You know the saying: Live by the sword, die by the sword. That's life with Evan Bouchard as your No. 1 defenceman. Bouchard ended the 2025 NHL playoffs as the league's top-scoring blueliner with seven goals and 16 assists for 23 points in 22 games played, good for sixth among all 'D' men, well ahead of the Dallas Stars' Thomas Harley (14 points in 18 games) and the Panthers' Aaron Ekblad (13 points in 19 games). Bouchard also led the NHL playoffs as the player with the most giveaways in the post-season with 36, followed by Harley with 29, and Oilers' teammate Leon Draisaitl and the Panthers' Seth Jones each with 28. He placed fifth among all NHL players on that list for the regular season with 111 in 81 games, to his credit behind the likes of the Pittsburgh Penguins' Erik Karlsson (125) and the Calgary Flames' Mackenzie Weegar (140), the league's two worst offenders. Yes, Bouchard is on the ice a lot as he skates on the Oilers' top defensive pairing and is on the first-unit power play. He led the team in average ice time per game in both the playoffs (26:12) and regular season (23:28). But turnovers, especially when they're on the biggest of the NHL's stages, are magnified when they lead to goals. Look no further than Tuesday night's giveaway at the blueline following a soft pass from Mattias Ekholm that Bouchard bobbled at his own blueline, leading to Panthers forward Sam Reinhart's first of four goals of Game 6. Panthers vs. Oilers Game 6 Florida Panthers' Sam Reinhart (second left) celebrates his goal against Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner (74) with teammates during the second period in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup final in Sunrise, Fla., on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. (Nathan Denette/THE CANADIAN PRESS) Come-from-behind wins You can't blame Oilers fans for expecting more of what they'd come to expect in any given game involving their heroes this season, either during the 82-game grind or during the post-season: roaring back from behind to win games, 19 of them during the regular season and eight in the playoffs. Punctuating those stats is the Oilers' record five straight games this spring coming from behind to win games, all four of their victories over the Los Angeles Kings in the first round and in Game 1 of the next series vs. the Vegas Golden Knights. Edmonton even managed to pull the trick against the Panthers in Game 1. But that was it. The jig was up. Still, heading into Game 6, the Oilers were confident they could somehow get a leg up and elevate their game to the next level. And while they didn't address the idea of coming-from-behind yet again to win games, that assurance came through as the team prepared for Tuesday's do-or-die match. 'What we've found with this team going back to last year is when our backs are against the wall, they play their best (and) they bring their best,' head coach Kris Knoblauch said Tuesday before the game. 'We haven't had our backs against the wall much this year, but last year, we certainly saw it where guys were almost just going through the motions until it's on the line.' Stanley Cup Oilers Panthers Hockey Edmonton Oilers right wing Corey Perry (90) attempts a shot on goal as Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) and defenseman Gustav Forsling (42) defend during the first period of Game 3 of the NHL Stanley Cup final Monday, June 9, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (Lynne Sladky/AP) Depth scoring The range of scorers the Oilers enjoyed throughout the 2025 playoffs – from the team-leading 11 goals by Draisaitl through 10 from Corey Perry to contributions on lower lines such as Evander Kane's six, Connor Brown's five, Adam Henrique's four and three from both Kasperi Kapanen and Vasily Podkolzin, who were often matched with three-goal-scoring centre Mattias Janmark on the fourth forward line – helped lift them into a second straight Cup Final berth. Because while McDavid and Draisaitl ended up as the leading scorers in this year's NHL playoffs with 33 points each, it was scoring from those not skating on the Oilers' top two forward lines or on the first-unit power play that made the difference in games more so than in previous seasons. That all ended against the Panthers, outside Podkolzin recording two of his three goals in the final. Florida Panthers' Brad Marchand (63) scores a goal on Edmonton Oilers goalie Calvin Pickard (30) during the first period in Game 5 of the NHL Stanley Cup final in Edmonton, Saturday, June 14, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson Florida Panthers' Brad Marchand (63) scores a goal on Edmonton Oilers goalie Calvin Pickard (30) during the first period in Game 5 of the NHL Stanley Cup final in Edmonton, Saturday, June 14, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson On Florida's side of the ledger, however, depth scoring made all the difference. While the top forward line of captain Aleksander Barkov centring wingers Sam Reinhart and Carter Verhaege were primarily tasked with shutting down Oilers units led by McDavid and Draisaitl (put aside the fact that Reinhart scored a team-leading seven goals against Edmonton for a moment), others further down the Panthers food chain stepped up offensively in big ways, of course. Yes, second-liners Sam Bennett scored five goals against the Oilers and Matthew Tkachuk three, but then there was Brad Marchand, who notched six in a third-line role alongside centre Anton Lundell and Eetu Luostarinen, who each scored a goal and five assists in the six-game final. 'They have great players,' McDavid said after Game 6. 'How many guys had 20-plus points in the post-season? They're as deep as it comes.' The answer to McDavid's question is six, with Marchand recording 20 points on 10 goals and 10 assists. And coming up right behind their linemate was Luostarinen with 19 points (five goals, 14 assists) and Lundell with 18 (six goals, 12 assists).
