A comprehensive list of NHL teams without a Stanley Cup victory

A comprehensive list of NHL teams without a Stanley Cup victory

Ciku Njuguna
April 28, 2023 at 3:20 AM

The ultimate goal for every National Hockey League squad is to win the coveted Holy Grail, the Stanley Cup. Out of 32 clubs in the league, there are 11 NHL teams without a Stanley Cup. Dig in here to discover which NHL teams are yet to get their own Stanley Cup.

What NHL teams have won the Stanley Cup?
Colorado Avalanche centre Nazem Kadri hoists the trophy after defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning in the NHL Finals at Amalie Arena in June 2022. Photo by Andy Cross/ Media News Group/ The Denver Post.
Source: Getty Images

What NHL teams have never won a Stanley Cup? This article will explore the history of the NHL and reveal the clubs that have never won the most coveted trophy.

How do you win a Stanley Cup?

As one of the most challenging competitions, the Stanley Cup playoffs require a team to win 16 games to win the trophy. Although the league prohibits additional bonuses and salaries for squads who win the most prominent hockey silver, reports suggest that players get upwards of $200,000 for winning the trophy.

Which NHL team has not won the Stanley Cup the longest?
Dallas Stars celebrate after defeating the Calgary Flames in Game Six of the first round of the 2022 Playoffs at American Airlines Center on May 13, 2022 in Dallas, Texas. Photo by Cooper Neill.
Source: Getty Images

How many NHL teams have never won the Stanley Cup?

Eleven NHL squads have never brought home the trophy since the start of the playoff competitions. What are the current NHL teams without a Stanley Cup? Look at this detailed summary of the hockey clubs that have missed the trophy in each Conference.

11. Buffalo Sabres

Since 1970, the Sabres have missed out on the most desired possession in hockey. This is one of the longest periods an NHL team has had without a Stanley Cup. However, they came close in 1975 and 1999 before being eliminated in the finals.

How many Stanley Cups has Buffalo won?
Buffalo Sabres players celebrate their third goal against the Detroit Red Wings during an NHL game on December 29, 2022 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. Buffalo won 6-3. Photo by Joe Hrycych/NHLI.
Source: Getty Images

10. Columbus Blue Jackets 

Have the Columbus Blue Jackets won a Stanley Cup? The squad has made six playoff appearances since their inaugural season in 2000. However, since then, they have yet to win the trophy.

9. Florida Panthers

When did the Panthers last win the Stanley Cup? The Panthers have never won the award since their debut in the league. In 1995/96, the club came close to holding the trophy when they reached the playoff finals. In 2021/22, the squad was one of the most favoured to win.

Who has gone the most NHL seasons without a Stanley Cup?
Anton Lundell (R) of the Florida Panthers skates for possession against Alex Tuch (L) of the Buffalo Sabres at the FLA Live Arena on April 4, 2023 in Sunrise, Florida. Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/NHLI.
Source: Getty Images

8. Ottawa Senators

Although various publications include the Senators in this list, NHL records reveal that the club received the trophy once in 1927 after the league assumed control of the award. Prior to that, the Senators were the champions in 1923, 1921, 1920, 1911, 1910, and 1909. In the 2006/07 season, the club came close to winning but was unfortunately eliminated from the playoffs finals by the Anaheim Ducks.

Do the Ottawa Senators have a Stanley Cup?
Egor Sokolov (FRONT) of the Ottawa Senators celebrates his first career NHL goal in the third period against the Tampa Bay Lightning at the Canadian Tire Centre on April 8, 2023 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Photo by André Ringuette/NHLI.
Source: Getty Images

7. Arizona Coyotes

How many Stanley Cups did the Coyotes win? The Coyotes are one of the oldest NHL teams without a Stanley Cup.

In 1979, the Arizona Coyotes existed as the Phoenix Coyotes. Since then, they have not qualified to carry the trophy.

6. Minnesota Wild

Have the Wilds ever won a Stanley Cup? The Wilds have never won the trophy since they started playing in 2002. They made their playoff debut in 2003 and later in the 2007 playoffs.

Has any NHL team never been to the Stanley Cup?
Minnesota Wild defenseman Jared Spurgeon (46) and centre Connor Dewar (26) defend against Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) in the third period at Ball Arena March 29, 2023. Photo by Andy Cross/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post.
Source: Getty Images

5. Nashville Predators

How many times have the Nashville Predators been in the Stanley Cup? The Predators have had 15 playoff appearances without any playoff victories.

In 2017, the squad put up an impressive performance after winning their first finals game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Since they entered the league in 1996, they have never won the award.

4. San Jose Sharks 

The San Jose Sharks have been among the most favoured teams to win the trophy for a decade. Unfortunately, since they entered the NHL, the squad has yet to claim the number one seat in the league.

Have the San Jose Sharks ever won the Stanley Cup?
Fabian Zetterlund (FRONT) of the San Jose Sharks skates with the puck in the third period against the Edmonton Oilers at SAP Center on April 8, 2023 in San Jose, California. Photo by Kavin Mistry/NHLI.
Source: Getty Images

3. Vancouver Canucks

Servicing one of the most prolonged droughts without a win, the Vancouver Canucks have closely missed the award three times, twice in Game 7. Alongside the Buffalo Sabres, this is the longest period an NHL team has been without winning hockey's Holy Grail. 

2. Vegas Golden Knights

Have the Las Vegas Golden Knights ever won a Stanley Cup? The Golden Knights have never won the award since their first NHL season in 2017/18. Since the franchise came into existence, they have only made one playoff appearance.

Did Vegas Knights win a Stanley Cup?
Nicolas Roy (CENTRE) of the Vegas Golden Knights skates with the puck during the game against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center on April 3, 2023 in St. Paul, Minnesota. Photo by Bruce Kluckhohn/NHLI.
Source: Getty Images

1. Winnipeg Jets

What year did Winnipeg win the Stanley Cup? Since the squad's first season in the NHL, they have not held the trophy. The team, previously known as the Atlanta Thrashers between 1999 and 2011, have missed the award.

Have there been any NHL teams without a Stanley Cup appearance?

Four squads have never made it to the playoff finals. These are the Winnipeg Jets, Arizona Coyotes, Columbia Blue Jackets and the Minnesota Wild.

Stanley Cup winners list until 2022

How many Stanley Cups has every team won? Since the National Hockey League took over the competition in 1926, 21 squads have been awarded the trophy. Here is a summary of all the NHL teams and their Stanley Cup wins since 1926. 

Team

Number of Titles

Year

Montreal Canadiens

1930, 1931, 1944, 1946, 1953, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1971, 1973, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1986, 1993

22

Detroit Red Wings

1936, 1937, 1943, 1950, 1952, 1954, 1955, 1997, 1998, 2002, 2008

11

Toronto Maple Leafs

1932, 1942, 1945, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1951, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1967

11

Boston Bruins

1929, 1939, 1941, 1970, 1972, 2011

6

Pittsburgh Penguins

1991, 1992, 2009, 2016, 2017

5

Edmonton Oilers

1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1990

5

New York Rangers

1928, 1933, 1940, 1944

4

New York Islanders

1980, 1981, 1982, 1983

4

Colorado Avalanche

1996, 2001, 2022

3

New Jersey Devils

1995, 2000, 2003

3

Chicago Blackhawks

2010, 2013, 2015

3

Philadelphia Flyers

1974, 1975

2

Los Angeles Kings

2012, 2014

2

Montreal Maroons

1935

1

Ottawa Senators

1927

1

Dallas Stars

1999

1

Calgary Flames

1989

1

Carolina Hurricanes

2006

1

Anaheim Ducks

2007

1

Washington Capitals

2018

1

St Louis Blues

2019

1

Despite holding impressive performances over decades of playing, there are several NHL teams without a Stanley Cup. However, the players, captains and coaches keep showing great sportsmanship and tenacity.

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Authors
Ciku Njuguna photo
Ciku Njuguna
Ciku Njuguna is a journalist with 3 year’s experience in content creation based in Kenya. She currently covers sports personnel as well as team biographies.