Predicting when every NHL team will win its next Stanley Cup
By Kyle McKenna
Montreal Canadiens
Well, at least the Montreal Canadiens are still the last Canadian team to win a Stanley Cup since Montreal last won back in 1993.
Still, one of the hockey meccas has failed to reach the Cup Final since that time, and the team has spiraled downhill over the past three seasons; especially when it matters most in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
It may appear that the Canadiens are a threat to win a 26th NHL championship one year, but then that seems to quickly fade the following season. Consistency has been a problem, which is also hard to believe when the Habs have one of the greatest goaltenders in the league with the likes of Carey Price.
However, Montreal doesn’t have a legitimate scoring threat on its roster entering this season (assuming Max Pacioretty is traded), and Price’s prime years are dwindling away by each failing season. There’s one thing that’s in Montreal’s favor moving forward, though.
It appears that the Canadiens have one of the league’s better farm systems. Defenseman Noah Juulsen could play out to be the franchise skater and leader that the Canadiens can build around to reestablish themselves as Cup contenders.
The 21-year-old has already seen NHL exposure, after the former first-round draft pick (2015) skated in 23 games last season. No, he didn’t produce on the score sheet, but Juulsen did average almost 20 minutes of ice-time per night.
Montreal should consider taking the route of grooming its young core of prospects instead of trying to win now. Montreal’s next Stanley Cup championship will happen in 2026.