The Athletic Hockey Show The eight true Stanley Cup contenders
12 snips
Jan 26, 2026 They pick the eight NHL teams they believe can actually win the Stanley Cup this season and explain why the trade deadline could reshuffle that group. They debate whether Nathan MacKinnon measures up to Connor McDavid and assess teams’ goaltending, depth and top-line firepower. They also spotlight squads that could vault into contention with the right deadline moves and preview Olympic tournament storylines.
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Carolina's System Has Limits
- Carolina's system-driven identity makes them consistently elite but raises doubts about clutch scoring.
- Hosts question whether the Hurricanes possess a true game-breaking scorer to tilt tight playoff series.
Golden Knights Need Goaltending
- Vegas has star talent up front but persistent goaltending and depth concerns reduce their Cup ceiling.
- The hosts stress that goalie performance and secondary scoring will determine Vegas's playoff fate.
Oilers' Stars Make Them Dangerous
- The Edmonton Oilers remain the scariest team because two superstars can single-handedly win series.
- Persistent questions about depth and goaltending temper confidence despite Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl's talent.