Fansided

Every NHL team’s best active player still searching for a Stanley Cup win

By Kyle McKenna

SAN JOSE, CA - MARCH 19: Joe Thornton #19 of the San Jose Sharks spots the puck in front of the net of the New York Rangers during a NHL game at the SAP Center at San Jose on March 19, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Nick Lust/NHLI via Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CA - MARCH 19: Joe Thornton #19 of the San Jose Sharks spots the puck in front of the net of the New York Rangers during a NHL game at the SAP Center at San Jose on March 19, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Nick Lust/NHLI via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
21 of 31
Next

Ottawa Senators

While the Ottawa Senators have been inconsistent for the last decade, the Sens’ roster still entails one of the best players in the game with Erik Karlsson. Yes, Karlsson is more than likely going to be traded at some point this season, but he still goes down as Ottawa’s top player that hasn’t won a Stanley Cup.

The Swedish native is ranked third all-time in assists (392) and points (518) for the Senators, and ninth in goals (126). Not bad for a defenseman who joined the Sens back in 2009-10.

The 28-year-old has proven that he’s arguably the best two-way defenseman since Scott Niedermayer retired, and he’s already collected two Norris Trophies since 2011-12. Since 2014, the former first-round draft pick (2008) has recorded 60 or more points in a season, and also lead the Senators to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2017.

Keep in mind that prior to 2016 Ottawa only advanced twice to the Conference Finals (2003 & 2007).

Karlsson’s top tier play has always carried over into the Stanley Cup Playoffs, too. In 48 career playoff contests, the Swede has netted six goals and tallied 31 assists for 37 points.

The former 15th-overall selection’s career season came in 2015-16, after he found the back of the net on 16 occasions and recorded 66 assists for 82 points.

Ottawa’s (for now) current captain has recorded a total of 518 career points in 627 games played, and if were to never win Lord Stanley, he could go down as one of the best players of all-time to never win a Stanley Cup ring.

Home/NHL