Predicting when every NHL team will win its next Stanley Cup

Winnipeg Jets

One of the most enthusiastic hockey cities is on the verge of winning its first Stanley Cup title in franchise history, and arguably has the best chance at becoming the first NHL Canadian team to break the country’s Stanley Cup curse since the 1993 Montreal Canadiens.

If it weren’t for a hot Vegas Golden Knights team last spring, perhaps the Jets would have already appeared in their first ever Stanley Cup Final.

Winnipeg is deep in all areas on the ice, physical and has a rising star between the pipes with Connor Hellebuyck. It can’t be reiterated enough that a Stanley Cup contender needs to have a commendable mix of veterans and youthful assets, and Winnipeg has that recipe for success.

Youngsters Patrik Laine and Mark Scheifele are set to become the next Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin tandem, while Blake Wheeler and Dustin Byfuglien offer experience, production and grit on both sides of the puck.

Yes, the names mentioned above are the more notable stars in flight for the Jets, but let’s not forget that if those skaters aren’t getting on the score sheet, then forward Kyle Connor is. The former first-round draft pick (2015) notched 31 goals in his sophomore season, and the chances are he’ll find the back of the net that often, or more, in 2019.

There’s a lot of focus on teams such as Nashville and Tampa Bay to win a Stanley Cup in 2019, but the reality is that the 2019 Stanley Cup champions are going to be the Winnipeg Jets.