In the fast-paced world of NHL hockey, the race to build a Stanley Cup contender is always on. The question on everyone’s minds – which organization is poised to make a serious run at the Cup in the next decade? A recent ranking sheds light on the teams most likely to achieve this lofty goal, including last season’s non-playoff contenders, whether they admit to being in rebuilding mode or not.
Let’s start with the Chicago Blackhawks, a team on the cusp of something great. While their rebuild may still be a work in progress, they have some key pieces in place. Young talent like Connor Bedard and a promising group of defensemen give them a solid foundation to build upon. The Blackhawks may need to add some scoring wingers to their roster, but they’re on the right track to success.
Turning our attention to the Ottawa Senators, we see a team with plenty of potential. Elite forwards like Tim Stützle and Brady Tkachuk, along with strong defensive talent, give them a solid core to work with. With some consistent goaltending, the Senators could surprise a few teams in the playoffs in the near future.
The Anaheim Ducks are another team to watch in the coming years. Led by players like Trevor Zegras and Leo Carlsson, the Ducks have a promising group of young forwards and defensemen. While they may need a bit more time to mature, they have the pieces in place to climb out of the league’s basement.
Utah (formerly known as Arizona) has been quietly building a competitive team since selecting Clayton Keller in 2017. With a mix of veteran players and up-and-coming prospects, they are poised to make some noise in the coming seasons. While they may lack a true superstar player, they have the depth to compete with the best in the league.
Seattle’s expansion team got off to a hot start before reality set in. However, with young centers like Matty Beniers and Shane Wright leading the way, the Kraken have a bright future ahead. Building up their defense will be key to their success, but they have a solid foundation to build upon.
In Montreal, the Canadiens boast a talented group of young forwards, including top pick Juraj Slafkovsky and established scorers like Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield. However, they may need to add some premium defensemen to their roster to truly compete for a Cup.
The Minnesota Wild have a solid NHL roster and a promising farm system, but the future of star player Kirill Kaprizov remains uncertain. His decision on whether to stay or go in two years could make or break the Wild’s chances of contending for a championship.
Columbus has been in a perpetual rebuild mode since day one, but the emergence of young star Adam Fantilli gives them hope for the future. The Blue Jackets have some good pieces in place, but they may need more star-level talent to reach the next level.
Detroit’s strong NHL team and promising prospects put them in a good position for the future. However, the lack of true premium pieces beyond Dylan Larkin and Moritz Seider may hinder their chances of winning it all in the long run.
Calgary’s rebuild seems to be hitting a roadblock, while Pittsburgh faces an uncertain future with an aging core and thin farm system. The path to contention for these teams may be a long and arduous one.
As the NHL landscape continues to shift, these teams will need to make smart moves and strategic decisions to position themselves as contenders in the years to come. Only time will tell which organization will ultimately lift the Stanley Cup and etch their name in hockey history.
