Eight Teams To Win The Stanley Cup

Sean Clancy

As the NHL playoffs press on, we find ourselves in the middle of the second round. The previous five teams to win the Stanley Cup are among the eight teams remaining, creating a somewhat less-exciting feel, as I usually find myself rooting for the teams that either haven't won the illustrious trophy in a while, or ever, for that matter. I'm struggling to root for teams in some of the remaining series, simply because nothing about them really excites me at this point. So I've decided to list, with reasons, the order in which I'd like to see the remaining teams win the Cup. As I write this intro now, I have no idea how this list will turn out, aside from the top and bottom teams. Journey along with me and discover how my mind works. The list:

1. Ottawa Senators

Above: Crazy Ottawa fans before winning a Cup.
Imagine after.

This is a team that has had much regular season success since their revival in Ottawa in 1992, yet haven't quite been getting it done in the post-season. They've appeared in the Stanley Cups finals just once (2007) in a losing effort. These guys have changed a lot since the 10-11 season that saw them finish 13th in the conference standings, and now look to have arguably their strongest team since their 2007 playoff run. Top scorers, reliable depth, role players, versatile players that can play in all situations, rookies who look like anything but, and a solid goaltender between the pipes.

Daniel Alfredsson has been one of the best leaders in the NHL for the better part of a decade, and he has been at the helm of this resilent Ottawa team through many of their ups and downs. His leadership has never been stronger than it's been this season, willing his team to victory night after night, despite a slew of injuries that saw many of the team's top players out for extended periods of time. Now, Alfie and his Ottawa team find themselves healthy and in the second round of the playoffs, and no one deserves it more than them this year.

Plus, their fans are badass. Bring the cup back to Canada eh, it's abuut time.

2. Boston Bruins

Jaromir Jagr: So close to another Cup he can taste it.

 
This is still the most complete team in the league. Peter Chiarelli has assembled a team that deserves recognition through long-term success. Not much about these guys has changed since their recent 2011 Cup championship, except for the notable change in goal. Tuukka Rask has stepped up and shown he can play with just as much consistency (but not nearly as much excitement) as Timmy Thomas. He is the kind of goalie who, if he can remain solid under pressure, will give hockey's most balanced team a chance to win for many years.

This year, the team saw the addition of future hall-of famer Jaromir Jagr to their team at the trade deadline. Jagr has added more leadership and experience to a team that he quickly settled in with. There's no doubting he's a legend, and I want to see Jagr get one more before his career ends, because he hasn't won it in over 20 seasons believe it or not. I would like to see Boston win it again this season, and that has NOTHING to do with the Boston marathon events that have been blown all out of proportion.

3. San Jose Sharks

RIP one of the nicest uniforms in the league.

Here's another team that's shown continued success without having to go into a massive rebuilding stage, but haven't been rewarded for it. The last time they missed the playoffs was ten years ago, however, they've struggled making it to the Cup finals, going 0-3 in conference final series since their inception in 1991. Much like Daniel Alfredsson, Joe Thornton deserves a Cup in San Jose. This is a well-rounded team past him, and I'm a big Logan Couture fan.

The only things that bother me about this team is their ugly black uniforms that would not make for an aestitically pleasing Stanley Cup final, and the fact that Antti Niemi just won the cup a few years ago. Antti's a good goalie, don't get me wrong, but there are several other goalies in the league right now that deserve it more. Spread the wealth.

4. Chicago Blackhawks

Only a Stanley Cup can put a smile back on
the face of Captain Serious.

 
Quite simply, Chicago's had a terrific record-setting season, and deserve to be rewarded for it, provided they continue to earn it through these final weeks of the season. Chicago is a team with every component that a successful franchise needs, including coaching, great leadership, an intimidating offense and stiffling defense. Starting netminder Corey Crawford also showed this season that he has the makings to be a top goalie in this league.

The Hawks are another team that's won the Cup in recent years, but by no means is it the same team. After their 2010 championship, salary cap restrictions led to a huge shake-up in the off-season. Nearly half the roster was changed, yet the core of the team held strong, which is a reason Chicago finds themselves a constant contender.

5. Los Angeles Kings

Oh yeah, and he can do that.

I'm a huge Jonathan Quick fan, and for a simple reason. He is the best goalie in this league. His unique butterfly form and ability to move around the crease with such speed and fluidity is superior to any netminder in the league. Combine that with his smart aggressive play and lightning-fast reflexes, and you're looking at the best use of the butterfly style that goaltending has ever seen. That being said, he deserves to win multiple Cups throughout his career.

Plus, the team around him is pretty good. Dustin Brown is one of my favorite players in the league because he is also one of the most versatile. He can play in any situation, has great offensive skill, hits and grinds with the best of them and offers inspiring leadership. The Kings are a solid hockey club that deserve much success. The only reason they are ranked on the bottom half of this list is because they just won the Cup last year. Again I say, spread the wealth.

6. Detroit Red Wings

Not the same without this guy.

The Red Wings are one of the most storied franchises in the NHL, and with 5 Stanley Cup appearances in the last 15 seasons, are also the most successful throughout my lifetime. That being said, is anyone else growing tired of them?

I harbor no ill feelings towards the team, in fact I respect the hell out of what they've done in recent years, but nothing about them excites me these days. This has always felt like an older, more authentic hockey club to me, but now it's just Datsyuk and Zetterberg surrounded by a bunch of average players and your standard issue butterfly goalie. They're still a good team, but I feel as if they're declining. They almost missed the playoffs this year and I can't see them being among the top in the conference in coming years. It's time for Detroit to step aside and give rise to newer, younger franchises in the West. The potential on St. Louis and Edmonton excite the hell out of me.

Still, Detroit is above the last two teams on this list.

7. New York Rangers

Above: The Rangers powerplay.

At this point, Henrik Lundqvist and Ryan Callahan are the only two players on the team that I really want to see win a Cup soon. The team as a whole, however, does not deserve it. They're not run the way a Stanley Cup championship team is run, they seem to be confused about their identity, the quality of the coaching staff is declining, the powerplay right now is the worst I've seen in my life, and Glen Sather needs to go. The Rangers have a knack of getting rid of their best players and making trades that simply do not make sense. Marian Gaborik was essentially traded for Rick Nash, which was unnecessary and hasn't paid dividends. After a 1st place season that saw the Rangers go to the third round of the playoffs, half the roster was dismantled, much of which could have (and should have) been easily avoided. The disasterous Rick Nash trade was eased a bit by the acquisitions of guys like Brassard, Moore, Dorsett and Clowe, but this came at the expense of Marian Gaborik (who is better than Rick Nash, period), Brandon Dubinsky (who everyone forgets led the team in points in 10-11), and a first round draft pick. Now that Brad Richards is having a bad stretch, they're talking about trading him too. If Ryan Callahan has a slow start to the season next year, don't be surprised if he's among the trade rumors come deadline day. This team needs to stop worrying about trades and free agents, and start developing their team through drafts and prospect pools. The average lifespan of a New York Ranger is far too short to create a Stanley Cup champion team.

8. Pittsburgh Penguins

After years of research, NASA is reporting that they've finally
discovered what lays at the center of the universe. Above is
an image of their findings.

Pittsburgh is a team that went to the Stanley Cup final two years in a row, promting the NHL to make them the center of the hockey universe. No one in hockey, other than the Penguins, like the Penguins.

Ray Shero is a GM who is in Glen Sather's boat, and he'd be better suited as a basketball GM. He assembled an all-star team at the trade deadline, despite sitting in first place in the conference at the time. I don't care for Brendan Morrow if he's not in Dallas. I don't think anyone cares about Jarome Iginla now that he's not in Calgary. We've seen Crosby and Malkin have their success and we've had this team shoved down our throats for five years by the NHL, and I don't know why. The Penguins are far from the model hockey team, and they're a bad example of what hockey is all about. They're one of the most inconsistent defensive clubs in the league and also one of the dirtiest.  They also have the most big-headed fan base of any team I've ever encountered, and the last thing the hockey world needs is more of these fools giving us even more reason to root against their team.

Photo credits: T. Anderson, Bostonsbettah.com, Thearon Henderson/Getty Images, midnightbex/Tumblr.com, nhlsnipers.com, topsportsup.com, Greg Flume, Pittsburghmagazine.com