It’s been over three decades since a Canadian team hoisted the Stanley Cup. The last to do it? The Montreal Canadiens in 1993. Since then, fans north of the border have endured close calls, heartbreaking eliminations, and rebuild after rebuild.
Oilers captain Connor McDavid looks to make a pass – Photo by Jack Lima
However, with the 2025/26 NHL season approaching, the question resurfaces with renewed optimism: Can the Cup finally return to Canada?
With Toronto, Edmonton, and Vancouver all building momentum at the close of the 2024/25 season, Canada’s top contenders are no longer just participating; they’re challenging. Depth, elite talent, and playoff experience give all three teams legitimate shots in the new campaign.
Hockey in Canada is More Than a Sport
In Canada, hockey isn’t just entertainment; it’s identity. From coast to coast, the NHL isn’t background noise; it’s front-page news. Cities live and breathe every goal, trade, and power play.
That passion extends to the betting markets as well, with Canadian fans driving action on futures and player props throughout the year. As a result, the latest odds on Canadian teams always draw significant attention.
This isn’t just about who’s favored, it’s about national pride. With all three of Canada’s top teams coming off promising playoff runs, expectations are higher than ever.
Toronto Maple Leafs: Built for Now
The Maple Leafs end the 2024/25 season as one of the strongest teams in the East, topping the Atlantic Division and reaching the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2002.
The core of Auston Matthews and William Nylander has finally clicked under pressure, and goaltending has stabilized thanks to breakout star Joseph Woll.
Toronto enters 2025/26 with something more potent than talent: belief. Their top-six forward group is arguably the league’s most dangerous, and their blue line, once a liability, now features the right mix of mobility and grit. If they stay healthy and avoid early-series collapses, this team has the tools to win it all.
Edmonton Oilers: The Window is Wide Open
The Oilers finish third in the Pacific Division in 2024/25 but caught fire in the playoffs, falling just short in the Conference Final. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl continue to dominate offensively, and their supporting cast finally rises to the moment.
The addition of a more reliable second-pair defenseman and improved special teams gives them the depth they’ve lacked in recent years.
Goaltending remains the X-factor. If Stuart Skinner or a veteran trade acquisition can maintain form across four playoff rounds, Edmonton becomes a nightmare matchup. McDavid is already the best player in the world, and he’s hungry for the one accolade still missing from his resume.
Vancouver Canucks: Quiet Contender, Big Potential
The Canucks finished fifth in the Pacific Division in 2024/25. Their hopes for the new season will be led by the resurgence of Elias Pettersson, a Vezina-caliber campaign from Thatcher Demko, and the emergence of a dominant top defensive pairing in Quinn Hughes and Filip Hronek.
What makes Vancouver dangerous is their unpredictability. They don’t rely on a single line to carry the offense. Instead, they come in waves. If they tighten up late-game execution and stay healthy, don’t be shocked if they’re the team making the deepest run next spring.
Is 2025/26 the Year?
With Toronto’s explosive offense, Edmonton’s superstar core, and Vancouver’s balance and resilience, Canada holds three viable Stanley Cup contenders heading into the new season. Each team has playoff-tested rosters, elite-level talent, and fan bases desperate to see the drought end.
Will 2025/26 finally deliver the Cup back to Canada? For the first time in years, the answer feels less like hope and more like expectation.
*This article is based on information available as of 2025/07/31 and is subject to change.
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