2021 NHL Stanley Cup Final - Game Five — Nick Suzuki #14 of the Montreal Canadiens skates against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game Five of the 2021 NHL Stanley Cup Final at the Amalie Arena on July 07, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. The Lightning defeated the Canadiens 1-0 to take the series four games to one. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Which Canadian team is most likely to break nation's three-decade long Stanley Cup drought?

Modified Sep 06, 2023 04:38 GMT

Canada's passionate hockey fans have been longing for the Stanley Cup to return to Canadian soil for nearly three decades. The last time a Canadian team hoisted the coveted trophy was the Montreal Canadiens in 1993.

As hockey enthusiasts eagerly await the end of this drought, the spotlight shines brightly on three Canadian teams: the Edmonton Oilers, Vancouver Canucks, and Toronto Maple Leafs.

These teams possess the talent and potential to end the dry spell for Canada:

#1. Edmonton Oilers

The Oilers have long been considered a sleeping giant in the NHL, primarily due to their two generational talents, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. With McDavid's incredible speed and playmaking abilities, and Draisaitl's scoring prowess, they form one of the league's most dynamic duos.

The addition of skilled players like Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Mattias Ekholm solidifies their core.

The key to the Oilers' success lies in bolstering their depth, especially on the blue line and in goal. If they can acquire the right supporting cast, they have a genuine shot at ending the Stanley Cup drought.

#2. Vancouver Canucks

The Canucks have been on the rise, thanks to a talented young core led by Elias Pettersson, Quinn Hughes, and Brock Boeser. Pettersson's offensive creativity and Hughes' elite puck-moving skills have made them stars in the making.

For the Canucks to win the Stanley Cup, they'll need to continue developing prospects to add depth to their roster. A few strategic moves could catapult them into contention sooner rather than later.

#3. Toronto Maple Leafs

The Maple Leafs have been a perennial contender, and their offensive firepower led by Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and John Tavares is undeniable. Matthews, in particular, has emerged as one of the league's most prolific goal-scorers.

With a strong supporting cast and an improving defensive core, the Leafs have the pieces to make a deep playoff run.

Toronto's challenge lies in finding the right balance between offense and defense, as well as overcoming the playoff jinx that has plagued them in recent years.

While the Winnipeg Jets, Ottawa Senators, Montreal Canadiens and Calgary Flames also have talented players, they face significant hurdles.

The Jets must improve their depth, the Senators are exiting a rebuilding phase, the Canadiens are still young, and the Flames need to find consistency.

The Canadian Stanley Cup drought won't last forever, and the Edmonton Oilers, Vancouver Canucks, and Toronto Maple Leafs are the frontrunners to end it.

With their star-studded rosters and some strategic moves, any of these teams could bring the Stanley Cup back to Canada, rekindling the country's love affair with hockey's ultimate prize.