When the Florida Panthers finally lifted the Stanley Cup in June 2024, edging out the Edmonton Oilers in a tense seven-game battle, they did more than just win a trophy. They ended a decades-long saga of heartbreak and near misses.
For fans in South Florida, it was a dream come true. But with that victory, attention naturally shifted to the other teams who are still waiting for their first.
Sabres Among the Teams Still Chasing Stanley Cup Glory
Take the Buffalo Sabres, for example. They’ve had two cracks at the Stanley Cup, once in 1975 and again in 1999. The latter is remembered less for the hockey and more for the controversy: Brett Hull’s overtime winner for the Dallas Stars sparked outrage due to a disputed crease violation. Buffalo hasn’t come close since and has missed the playoffs 13 straight years.
Then there’s the Vancouver Canucks. Despite reaching the Final thrice, including a memorable 2011 run, the franchise has yet to seal the deal. They’ve made the postseason 28 times, but silverware remains elusive.
It’s not just the older clubs struggling. Expansion teams like the Columbus Blue Jackets and Minnesota Wild, both born in 2000, are still chasing a breakthrough. Columbus has never escaped the second round, while Minnesota impressed early by reaching the Conference Finals in just their third season, only to fall short and never quite get back.
A few others have flirted with success, only to fall off. The Nashville Predators, San Jose Sharks, Ottawa Senators (re-established in 1992), and Winnipeg Jets (once the Atlanta Thrashers) have each had promising stretches. None have found the magic mix to go all the way.
More recently, teams like the Seattle Kraken, who joined the league in 2021, and the Utah Hockey Club, relocated from Arizona in 2024, are still establishing their footing.
Seattle already made a splash by nearly reaching the Conference Finals in their second season. Utah’s path forward remains unclear, but the hunger is there.
All told, here’s the full group of active teams still chasing their first Stanley Cup:
- Buffalo Sabres
- Vancouver Canucks
- Columbus Blue Jackets
- Minnesota Wild
- Ottawa Senators
- Nashville Predators
- San Jose Sharks
- Winnipeg Jets
- Seattle Kraken
- Utah Mammoth
Teams That Have Been Agonizingly Close to Winning the Stanley Cup
Winning the Stanley Cup takes more than just talent. It’s about peaking at the right moment, building chemistry, staying healthy, and maybe getting a lucky bounce or two. For these dozen teams, the pieces haven’t all come together, at least not yet.
Look at the Predators’ magical run in 2017. They stunned top-seeded Chicago, stormed through the West, and made their first appearance in the Final. But they ran into a red-hot Penguins team and fell short.
The Sharks are another case study in frustration. Few teams have been more consistently competitive, San Jose has 21 playoff appearances and multiple deep runs. Their best shot came in 2016, when they reached the Final, only to lose to Pittsburgh as well.
Ottawa’s story is more of a rollercoaster. Though the original Senators won multiple Stanley Cups before folding in the 1930s, the current franchise has struggled for sustained success. Their 2007 Final run felt like a potential turning point, until the Ducks shut the door. Since then, it’s been mostly rebuilding.
Seattle, though new to the league, is already exceeding expectations. In 2023, they were a win away from the Conference Finals, a better track record than many older clubs. Utah, on the other hand, is still trying to find stability. Their best run came in 2012 as the Coyotes, when they made it to the Western Conference Final. It’s been rough going ever since.
Each of these teams has had their moments. But none have reached the summit. And while fans continue to hope, the quest for that first championship remains one of the NHL’s most compelling storylines.