Entering the year, it has been over 30 years since a Canadian NHL team won the Stanley Cup, and for fans all across Canada, that winless streak has gone on long enough.
A month into the 2024-25 NHL season, Canadian franchises are near the top of each division, and the Winnipeg Jets have had the best start of the seven Canadian NHL squads. Let’s look at the top Canadian teams and their chances of hoisting Lord Stanley’s Cup.
Top Canadian Teams in the NHL
- WINNIPEG JETS - 26 POINTS, .929 POINT PERCENTAGE
- VANCOUVER CANUCKS - 17 POINTS, .708 POINT PERCENTAGE
- TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS - 16 POINTS, .571 POINT PERCENTAGE
- HONORABLE MENTION: EDMONTON OILERS - 13 POINTS, .464 POINT PERCENTAGE
Winnipeg Jets - Stanley Cup Odds 18/1
The Jets are very comfortably atop the league standings after a hot start that has seen them lose just one of their first 14 games. Is this level of success sustainable? Probably not, as indicated by their 12th-ranked odds in the NHL to win the Stanley Cup.
Disrespectful odds aside, the Jets have built themselves a great cushion for any adversity that may hit this year. If they can get to the postseason, this team has shown they can compete with and beat any team in any style. Early indications suggest that it would not be surprising to see Winnipeg reach the Finals, but this squad has never won the Stanley Cup.
Vancouver Canucks - Stanley Cup Odds 18/1
The Canucks are 7-2-3 a month into the season, but their losses so far have been at the hands of quality teams. It appears that the Pacific will be a real battle for the top three spots, so the Canucks have their work cut out for them. But this team has a deep roster and has been hardened by last year’s playoff appearance and exit.
Vancouver was just a couple of shots away from reaching the Conference Finals last year as they lost in Game 7 to Edmonton by a score of 3-2. This team is well-coached and close to reaching that next level. If they can stay healthy, the Canucks look to still be a dangerous team come spring.
Toronto Maple Leafs - Stanley Cup Odds 11/1
The Leafs’ playoff woes have been well-documented. Could this year be any different? It could be for two primary reasons:
- Head Coach Craig Berube
- Upgrades on defense.
Toronto added a Stanley Cup-winning, hard-nosed head coach, not for the regular season, but for the adversity of the playoffs. If they can get there, Berube has shown that his teams respond well to his style when it matters. Toronto also added Chris Tanev and Stanley Cup winner Oliver Ekman-Larsson on defense, which has previously been their Achilles heel.
The Maple Leafs allow the sixth least goals per game in the NHL and have the sixth-best penalty kill. With their offensive talent taking care of scoring, keeping the puck out of the net becomes vital come playoff time. Their offseason acquisitions look to be what they need to get them over the hump.
Edmonton Oilers - Stanley Cup Odds 8/1
The Oilers have plenty of playoff experience, Stanley Cup Final experience to boot, and they have two of the best players on the planet, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. It has been a slow start for the Oilers so far, mainly because McDavid has missed time, but they should be just fine, as indicated by their odds of winning the Cup, as they are the overall favorites.
No need to overthink this one. The Oilers are absolutely capable of breaking the streak for their home country and bringing Lord Stanley home so long as their stars stay healthy.
