Following a challenging season that saw the Florida Panthers fall out of contention, their head coach, Paul Maurice, has identified five specific teams with the potential to win the 2026 Stanley Cup.
This analysis marks a shift in focus for the franchise, transitioning from title defense to a team that is out of the playoffs.
Paul Maurice Believes 5 Teams Can Win 2026 Cup
Maurice did not hold back when discussing the upcoming playoff field, even as his own team prepares to sit out the postseason.
Speaking to NHL reporter Luke Fox, the Panthers head coach said he sees “five clear teams” with a legitimate path to the 2026 Stanley Cup, though he chose not to identify them directly. Maurice’s comments come at a time when the playoff picture is nearly set, with several teams already securing their spots ahead of the April 18 start date.
Maurice’s perspective stands out after a sharp downturn in Florida, highlighting how quickly even a contender can fall out of the playoff picture. After back-to-back Stanley Cup wins in the 2024 and 2025 NHL seasons, the Panthers now find themselves outside the playoff race and currently have a 37-38-4 record.
Injuries deserve the prime blame, and then their defensive breakdowns, which have been a recurring issue. It has placed them among the teams with the highest goals allowed this season.
“You can win a Stanley Cup, then miss the playoffs by 100 miles, and we’re going to prove that this year,” Maurice said, pointing to the Panthers’ season. He added, “Then we’re going to try to win next year. So, nothing’s permanent,” reinforcing the idea that success in the NHL often comes in short windows.
Across the league, the playoff field reflects that balance. Teams like the Carolina Hurricanes and Colorado Avalanche have secured top positions in their respective conferences, while others such as the Dallas Stars, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Pittsburgh Penguins are also in the mix. Meanwhile, the Utah Mammoth’s quick rise to the postseason in just their second year is impressive in an already tight playoff race.
At the same time, last season’s strong teams, including Florida and the Toronto Maple Leafs, will not be part of the 16-team group heading into the playoffs. That absence shows how thin the margin can be between contending and missing out entirely. For Maurice, that reality appears central to his evaluation of which teams can truly go the distance.
The Panthers’ season also shows that point. After posting 110 points in 2023-24 and 98 in 2024-25, their current position near the bottom of the Atlantic Division shows how difficult it is to maintain a high level year after year. While players like Sam Reinhart have led the offense, their problems have limited the team’s ability to stay competitive.
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