Which teams do you consider to be a strong Stanley Cup Contender for 2025?

[SheldonJPlankton]

The Leafs are frauds and pretenders.

 

[WetcoastOrca]

I placed more emphasis on play so far this year and included the Jets because I don’t think their past is indicative of how good they are this year. Obviously a lot of this will change as it’s early.

Tier 1: Florida/Vegas/Winnipeg
Tier 2: Carolina/Rangers/Dallas
Tier 3: Oilers /Van/Colorado/Toronto

 

[Conspiracy Theorist]

Florida and Dallas.

 

[banks]

Tier 1, heavy contenders: Florida, Carolina, Dallas, Vegas
Tier 2, contenders: Toronto, Winnipeg, NYR

Colorado would be listed if they had a goalie. But as is, the roster won't win anything.

 

[Jetcetera]

From this option, I voted for Florida, NY Rangers, Vegas, Dallas, Edmonton, Colorado. Carolina, Winnipeg lacks superstar forwards, they always get found out in the playoffs. Toronto is Toronto.

Vegas, Dallas, Carolina and Florida don't have guys I'd consider "superstar forwards" and I'd say they all have a better chance than Edmonton, Colorado and the Rangers. I'll take 4 strong lines over one really strong line any day.

 

[Fantast100]

Tier 1, heavy contenders: Florida, Carolina, Dallas, Vegas
Tier 2, contenders: Toronto, Winnipeg, NYR

Dallas maybe. Toronto not.

 

[AvroArrow]

Tavares looks like he's 25 again and Stolarz has been elite so far, Leafs??

 

[dalewood12]

I have the Stars as my pick, but the Canes are not far behind.

For the Canes, I'm getting 2016 San Jose or 2018 Washington vibes from them. Both teams were perceived to be "past their prime," but used their hardship and playoff experience to make it to the finals, with the latter winning.

 

[Ben Grimm]

2025 What If Playoff Scenario

If the Habs met the CBJ in the ECF who would win? If the Preds met the Ducks in the WCF who would win? What would be the SCF matchup and who would win?

forums.hfboards.com

See post #3.

 

[abj]

Great thread.

 

[abj]

Tier 1: Edmonton, Vegas, Carolina
Tier 2: Florida, Washington, Colorado
Tier 3: Winnipeg, New Jersey, Anaheim

 

[Caps8112]

Tier 1: Edmonton, Vegas, Carolina
Tier 2: Florida, Washington, Colorado
Tier 3: Winnipeg, New Jersey, Anaheim

no minnesota?

Anaheim has some work to do

also wonder how different this poll is today.

 

[Deno]

Tier 1: Edmonton, Vegas, Carolina
Tier 2: Florida, Washington, Colorado
Tier 3: Winnipeg, New Jersey, Anaheim

Anaheim?

 

[Deno]

Right now.
Top tier: Caps, Jets, Panthers, Knights
2nd Tier: Oilers, Stars, ,Hurricane, Devils, Leafs, Wild, Avs.

The rest are not a threat to win the cup.

 

[abj]

Anaheim might do a Montreal just wins reaches playoff round.

 

[abj]

Who knows regular season is just midway through now.

 

[bobholly39]

no minnesota?

Anaheim has some work to do

also wonder how different this poll is today.

Personally I still don't buy into either Washington, Minnesota or Winnipeg being a serious contender. Definitely not tier 1.

2 months ago I had voted for Oilers, Florida, Vegas, Colorado and NYR. I wouldn't add any other team to that tier 1 group. Obviously Rangers have crashed and burned since then and probably don't belong in tier 1 anymore, though I still expect them to qualify for playoffs, so we'll see if they can turn it around, and to what extent.

 

[Machinehead]

I'm kind of taken aback that somebody on that list is going to win the Cup.

This league is ass.