Potential First-Time Stanley Cup Winners in 2025

Given the 107-year history of the NHL, you’d assume that almost everyone has won the Stanley Cup at least once. But as of last year, with the Florida Panthers winning for the first time, just 22 active teams have won the Stanley Cup. 

As we head into the NHL’s postseason, there are a number of contenders who could be bringing Lord Stanley’s Cup back to their fanbase for the first time in team history.  

Here’s a ranking of the four teams still in contention to get a playoff spot who are most likely to win their franchise’s first Stanley Cup. 

1. Jets

The Winnipeg Jets have never won the Stanley Cup through their two incarnations as an NHL franchise. 

The first Jets team was an NHL franchise between 1979 and 1996 before moving to Arizona. This version of the franchise began as the Atlanta Thrashers when they entered the NHL as an expansion team in 1997. Before relocating to Winnipeg in 2011, Atlanta never won a playoff game and only qualified for the playoffs once in 2007. 

While their fortunes have turned somewhat since relocating, the Jets have still never made it to the Stanley Cup. 

At +1100 odds right now to win the Stanley Cup, they’re firmly in the mix in this year’s playoffs. With Connor Hellebuyck, who briefly became a Hart Trophy favorite, the team can expect to contend with the best of the Western Conference. They’re projected to be playing the St. Louis Blues in the first round of the playoffs. 

2. Senators

The Ottawa Senators are another team that had a run as an NHL franchise early in the league’s history and then returned in the 1990s. But they’ve never won the Stanley Cup as a team. 

They made it to the 2007 Stanley Cup, their lone appearance as a franchise, but were defeated in five games by the Anaheim Ducks. 

Now, powered by a resurgent year from goalie Linus Ullmark, who they acquired in the offseason, the Ottawa Senators are back in the playoffs. They clinched their first playoff appearance after an eight-year drought earlier this week. 

As the first Wild Card team, they’ll face an uphill battle in a strong Eastern Conference. If the playoffs started today they’d be facing the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round. They’re +3500 to win the Stanley Cup. 

3. Wild

The Minnesota Wild have never won the Stanley Cup in the 25 years they’ve been an NHL franchise. 

The team played their first season in 2001, taking over for the previous Minnesota NHL team, the North Stars, who played in Minnesota until 1993 before moving to Dallas. 

Minnesota’s never won the Stanley Cup nor have they ever appeared in one. 

They’ve been a fairly consistent playoff team in the last number of years but haven’t been able to make any noise thus far. 

At +4000, the Wild will also have a tough go of it this playoffs in a crowded and competitive Western Conference. If the playoffs started today they’d be playing the Vegas Golden Knights in the first round. 

4. Blue Jackets

The Columbus Blue Jackets are the only team on this list that’s not currently in possession of a playoff spot. But that doesn’t mean they’re entirely out of the picture. 

After defeating the Washington Capitals 7-0 on Saturday, they’re now just five points behind the Montreal Canadiens for the final Eastern Conference Wild Card spot. 

Since entering the league via expansion in 2000, the Columbus Blue Jackets are one of a few teams to have never reached the Conference Finals. Consequently, they’ve also never appeared in or won the Stanley Cup. 

Columbus has the longest odds to win the Stanley Cup at +75000.