The prestigious Stanley cup is hard to gain, and that’s why 11 teams never get the opportunity of winning the cup. Vancouver Canucks, Buffalo Sabres, San Jose Sharks, Winnipeg Jets, Florida Panthers, Nashville Predators, Arizona Coyotes, Minnesota Wild, Columbus Blue Jackets, Vegas Golden Knights, and the Ottawa Senators are among the unlucky ones.
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Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are a hockey team that is originated in Buffalo, New York. They started their journey in 1970. The team has twice reached the Stanley Cup finals. In 1975 they reached the Stanley cup finals for the first time, where they were defeated by Philadelphia Flyers. Their last appearance in the Stanley cup finals was back in 1999 where they lost to Dallas Stars. The Sabres collectively with the Canucks are the active running NHL franchises that have never won the Stanley cup.
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks is a hockey team that joined the NHL in 1970. They are originated from Vancouver. Vancouver shares the longest Stanley Cup drought. They featured in three Stanley cup finals I 1981-82, 1993-94 & 2010-11. In 1981 they lost against New York Islanders by 0-4. In 1993-94, they lost against New York Rangers. And finally, their heartbreaking loss was against Boston Bruins in 3-4 series in 2010-11
San Jose Sharks
San Jose Sharks hockey team is based in San Jose, California. It was founded in 1991. In spite of being one of the best teams in the NHL, the sharks had only appeared in one Stanley cup finals in 2015-16. In the final, they, unfortunately, lost against Pittsburgh Penguins in six games.
Florida Panthers
The Florida Panthers is a professional hockey team that is based in the Miami metropolitan area. The Panthers began playing in 1993. They have made it to the Stanley cup finals only one time, that was in 1996. In that finals, they lost to Colorado Avalanche by 0-4. After that, the Panthers have struggled to find success in the Stanley cup.
Winnipeg Jets
Winnipeg Jets is a professional hockey team of Winnipeg, Manitoba, which was established back on June 25, 1997, which never appeared in the Stanley cup finals. In fact, in 12 years, they have only qualified for the Stanley cup finals once in the 2006-07 season.
Nashville Predators
The Nashville Predators, which is known as the Press to their fans, is a professional hockey team that is based in Nashville, Tennessee. The Predators reached their first and only Stanley cup finals in 2016-17. Despite trying their best, the Predators had to suffer a heartbreaking loss against the Pittsburgh Penguins by 2-4 series.
Arizona Coyotes
The Arizona Coyotes, popularly known as the Yotes, is a hockey team that is based in the Phoenix Metropolitan area. The Coyotes was originally founded on December 27, 1971. They are one of those unlucky teams who have never appeared in the Stanley cup finals. The coyotes have been through a tough journey as they have failed to qualify for the playoffs 13 times in their 22 seasons. The best season they have played was in 2011-12 when they finished first in the Pacific Division and third in the western division.
Minnesota Wild
Minnesota Wild is a hockey team that is based in n Saint Paul, Minnesota. It was founded on June 25, 1997. Minnesota is among those unlucky teams who are yet to compete in a Stanley cup finals. The closest they come to the championship was in 2002-2003 where they have lost in the conference cup against Anaheim Mighty Ducks. The Wilds have made it to the playoffs eight times in the Stanley cup.
Columbus Blue Jacket
Columbus Blue Jackets is one of the newest franchises in the NHL, which have been in the league since the 2000-01 season. They are based in Columbus, Ohio. The Blue Jackets have never been to a Stanley cup finals. It is a matter of grief that they had only won a playoff round in the 2018-19 season. It took them 18 years to win the first-ever playoff round.
Vegas Golden Knights
The Vegas Golden Knights are the professional hockey team that came from the Las Vegas Metropolitan area. The Golden Knights began playing in the 2017-18 NHL season. They have played the Stanley cup finals in the 2017-18 season, which was their first NHL season. They lost to Washington Capitals by 2-4 series.
Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators, familiarly known as the Sens, is the professional hockey team that is based in Ottawa, Ontario. The Senators started their journey in 1992. The only time they have reached the Stanley cup final was back in the 2006-2007 season, where they lost against the Anaheim Ducks by 1-4. Until the 2018-19 season, the Senators had never gone consecutive seasons without a playoff appearance which is one of hockey’s most impressive records.
Conclusion
Winning the Stanley Cup is not a walk in the park. As it is the oldest existing as well as one of the most prestigious trophies to be awarded to a professional sports franchise in North America, Every team in the NHL wants to win this trophy. But only one team can win in the finals, and the teams that came closer to the championship are not guaranteed to get the opportunity again. That’s the reason why these eleven teams haven’t yet won the Stanley cup.