This week the Predators and Penguins qualified for the 2017 Stanley Cup Final erasing a Stanley Cup Final appearance drought of 17 years and 0 years (as the defending champions return to the Final), respectively, while the NHL's other 28 teams extended their absence by another season. The chart below describes, in descending order, the number of seasons each club has gone without a Cup Final appearance, showing the last year they qualified (if ever).
| Team | Seasons | Last Cup Final |
| Toronto Maple Leafs |
49
|
|
| St. Louis Blues |
46
|
|
| Phoenix Coyotes* |
37
|
Never
|
| New York Islanders |
32
|
|
| Montreal Canadiens |
23
|
|
| Florida Panthers |
20
|
|
| Washington Capitals |
18
|
|
| Buffalo Sabres |
17
|
|
| Winnipeg Jets** |
17
|
Never
|
| Columbus Blue Jackets |
16
|
Never
|
| Dallas Stars |
16
|
|
| Minnesota Wild |
16
|
Never
|
| Colorado Avalanche |
15
|
|
| Calgary Flames |
12
|
|
| Carolina Hurricanes |
11
|
|
| Edmonton Oilers |
11
|
|
| Anaheim Ducks |
10
|
|
| Ottawa Senators |
10
|
|
| Detroit Red Wings |
8
|
|
| Philadelphia Flyers |
7
|
|
| Vancouver Canucks |
6
|
|
| New Jersey Devils |
5
|
|
| Boston Bruins |
4
|
|
| Los Angeles Kings |
3
|
|
| New York Rangers |
3
|
|
| Chicago Blackhawks |
2
|
|
| Tampa Bay Lightning |
2
|
|
| San Jose Sharks |
1
|
|
| Pittsburgh Penguins |
0
|
|
| Nashville Predators |
0
|
* Includes record of Winnipeg Jets prior to relocation to Phoenix
** Includes record of Atlanta Thrashers prior to relocation to Winnipeg
The average drought rests at roughly 13.5 seasons with Toronto laying claim to the longest at 49 seasons, a streak that began prior to NHL expansion beyond its original six teams. Arguably worse is the fact that 4 of the 30 teams (13%) have never skated in a Final in their franchise history (Phoenix, Winnipeg, Minnesota, Columbus), a list that was reduced by one with the Predators earning their first ever Stanley Cup Final appearance this year.
In ten months the quest for the Cup continues for 16 of the 31 clubs (as the Vegas Golden Knights take the ice next season) that qualify for the postseason. The goal is to hoist the hardware, but simply qualifying for the Stanley Cup Final would be a step in the right direction.
Indeed, one thing leads to another.
* See also NHL Stanley Cup Playoff Qualification Droughts.
* See also NHL Stanley Cup Playoff Series Win Droughts.
* See also NHL Stanley Cup Championship Droughts.
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