Coming into the season, there are usually six or seven solid choices to win the Cup. This year? One team is getting most of the attention.
A poll of 22 NHL coaches and 13 team executives revealed their predictions for the 2026-27 Stanley Cup winner. Participants were granted anonymity and prohibited from voting for their own franchises. The Florida Panthers emerged as the predominant favorite among the respondents, cited repeatedly for their physical depth, battle-tested roster, and the healthy return of captain Aleksander Barkov.
Other contenders receiving votes from coaches included the Dallas Stars, Edmonton Oilers, defending champion Carolina Hurricanes, and Colorado Avalanche. Coaches cited Edmonton's star tandem of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl alongside Dallas's elite defense and goaltending as key factors in their selections.
Get the latest sports news and top stories from MySportsTab delivered straight to your inbox.
No spam. Just the latest sports news and updates.
