Ranking the 10 Best NHL Players Without a Stanley Cup

The NHL's greatest stars will gather this summer at the annual awards show, with all kinds of hardware to be given out. The most important prize to every player in the league is the Stanley Cup, and only one team can win it each season.

Back in the days of the Original Six, it was somewhat rare for an outstanding player to miss out on the opportunity to win a championship. As the league expanded—and now that it is 30 teams strong—some of the best players in the game are on the outside looking in.

Here are the 10 best NHL players without a Stanley Cup and an ETA on when they may win their first championship.

10. Claude Giroux, C, Philadelphia Flyers

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How Good Is He? Claude Giroux of the Philadelphia Flyers is a quality player who delivers a lot of offense every season. 

Has He Ever Been Close to a Championship? Giroux was part of the 2010 Flyers team that made it all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals and has been in the playoffs several other times. 

Is There an Opportunity This Year? The Flyers are on the outside looking in right now but do have a shot at the playoffs. If it can make it into the postseason, Philadelphia is unlikely to win because it's re-tooling under GM Ron Hextall. Giroux remains a quality player and the Flyers could contend for the Cup in the coming seasons.

9. Joe Thornton, C, San Jose Sharks

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How Good Is He? Joe Thornton of the San Jose Sharks is one of the greatest playmakers in the history of the game. Despite being older—he is 36—he remains an impact offensive player. 

Has He Ever Been Close to a Championship? In his long and productive career, Thornton has played in 132 playoff games. He has been deep in the postseason many times, most recently in 2011. 

Is There an Opportunity This Year? The Sharks hold a playoff spot currently but will need to keep winning if they are to make it. The Western Conference boasts several teams of greater quality, so a Stanley Cup for San Jose seems unlikely this season. 

8. John Tavares, C, New York Islanders

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How Good Is He? John Tavares is a complete center and the leader of the New York Islanders. 

Has He Ever Been Close to a Championship? Since he arrived in the NHL in 2009-10, the Islanders have made the playoffs only two times—in 2013 and in 2015. Both times New York exited the playoffs quickly.

Is There an Opportunity This Year? The Islanders have the look of a playoff team, but the real NHL powers seem to be more prepared for a deep run this season. If New York wins the Stanley Cup, it would be considered a major upset.

7. Henrik Lundqvist, G, New York Rangers

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How Good Is He? Henrik Lundqvist of the New York Rangers is one of the best goalies in the game. His consistent excellence is highly unusual at a position where spikes in performance are common.

Has He Ever Been Close to a Championship? The Rangers have been in the Finals once—in 2014—and have been in the playoffs all but one time during Lundqvist's career. That reflects the consistency he has provided New York in his 11 seasons. 

Is There an Opportunity This Year? New York is securely inside the playoffs at this time and boasts a veteran lineup. The Eastern Conference power appears to be the Washington Capitals this spring. The Rangers may be the best bet to upset them to get into the Finals this year.

6. P.K. Subban, D, Montreal Canadiens

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How Good Is He? P.K. Subban of the Montreal Canadiens is a dynamic defenseman who possesses a complete skill set. His offensive ability drives results.

Has He Ever Been Close to a Championship? Since arriving in the NHL, Subban and his Canadiens have been in the playoffs every season but one. The team has gotten to the third round twice in those seasons. 

Is There an Opportunity This Year? The loss of Carey Price to injury—as reported by the Canadian Press (via the Record.com)—has deflated Montreal, and it is well outside the playoffs at this time. If Subban is to win a Stanley Cup with the Canadiens, it is extremely unlikely to be this season. 

5. Jamie Benn, LW, Dallas Stars

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How Good Is He? Jamie Benn is an impact player for the Dallas Stars, best known for winning the scoring championship in 2014-15. 

Has He Ever Been Close to a Championship? Dallas has been in the playoffs just one time during Benn's career, losing in Round 1. 

Is There an Opportunity This Year? The Stars sit high in the NHL standings and have one of the best goal differentials in the league this year. Dallas could see a Stanley Cup this season, but it is more likely it peaks in 2017 or later. There are the makings of a championship team in Texas. 

4. Steven Stamkos, C, Tampa Bay Lightning

Chris O'Meara/Associated Press

How Good Is He? Steven Stamkos of the Tampa Bay Lightning is an impact scorer and one of the best of his generation. 

Has He Ever Been Close to a Championship? Since Stamkos arrived in Florida, the Lightning have been deep in the playoffs twice—including a trip to the Finals in 2015.

Is There an Opportunity This Year? The Lightning sit just outside the playoffs and are in a fierce race to the postseason. Despite its current difficulty in the standings, Tampa Bay has to be considered a strong possibility to repeat as Stanley Cup finalists.

3. Carey Price, G, Montreal Canadiens

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

How Good Is He? Price of the Montreal Canadiens is the reigning Hart Memorial Trophy winner as the NHL's MVP. 

Has He Ever Been Close to a Championship? During his time with Montreal, Price has been a part of teams that made it to the third round, in 2010 and 2014.

Is There an Opportunity This Year? This does not appear to be a championship season in Montreal. Price is currently rehabbing from injury, although his return date is not known—as reflected by a February 12 article by the Associated Press (via the Toronto Star). The Canadiens are currently far from the playoffs, so his return may not be urgent in regard to this season.

2. Erik Karlsson, D, Ottawa Senators

Paul Sancya/Associated Press

How Good Is He? Erik Karlsson is a brilliant offensive defenseman for the Ottawa Senators.

Has He Ever Been Close to a Championship? During his time in Ottawa, the Senators have made the playoffs four times, exiting quickly each time—save for a second-round loss in 2013. 

Is There an Opportunity This Year? The Senators have been unable to get things going this season, and it appears the playoffs won't happen in 2016. Ottawa has elite-level talent, and missing the playoffs means management has been unable to surround Karlsson with enough support—an unacceptable result. 

1. Alexander Ovechkin, LW, Washington Capitals

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How Good Is He? Alexander Ovechkin is the best scorer and power forward of his generation. If he retired today, he would be a lock for the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Has He Ever Been Close to a Championship? When he arrived as a rookie with the Washington Capitals, they were so bad Ovechkin couldn't get them into the playoffs. Since then, despite some quality teams, the Capitals have been unable to advance beyond the second round.

Is There an Opportunity This Year? This might be the best Washington Capitals team in their history. Ovechkin has company up front, the defense is strong and mobile, and goalie Braden Holtby is a key to the team's success. Coach Barry Trotz has unlocked a responsible team that is also prolific offensively and stout defensively. They have to be considered one of the favorites to win the Stanley Cup this season.