The Stanley Cup dream for 16 teams has been dashed. But for the fans of those teams, there is still plenty to root for in the postseason.
Remember when Ray Bourque won the Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche in 2001? The Boston Bruins missed the playoffs that season, but the eyes of New England were on the longtime Bruins defenseman during postseason rooting that he would win the Cup for the first time.
But there are examples every year with every team of players who are still thought of fondly with a fanbase even though they now play for a different team.
With that in mind, here is who fans of each non-playoff team could be rooting for once the postseason starts Monday.
ANAHEIM DUCKS
Who's playing where: Boston Bruins: Hampus Lindholm, D; Calgary Flames: Erik Gudbranson, D; Colorado Avalanche: Andrew Cogliano, F; Josh Manson, D; Florida Panthers: Brandon Montour, D; Minnesota Wild: Nicolas Deslauriers, F; Pittsburgh Penguins: Danton Heinen, F; Marcus Pettersson, D; Rickard Rakell, F; St. Louis Blues: David Perron, F; Tampa Bay Lightning: Pat Maroon, F; Corey Perry, F; Toronto Maple Leafs: Ondrej Kase, F
Missed the most: The Ducks bought out the final season of Perry's eight-year contract after he scored six goals in 31 games in 2018-19. Since then he's helped the Stars (2020) and Montreal Canadiens (2021) reach the Stanley Cup Final and scored 40 points (19 goals, 21 assists) in 82 games for the Lightning this season.
Who to root for: Perry and Ryan Getzlaf were the twin superstars who helped the Ducks win the Stanley Cup in 2007 and became foundational superstars for more than a decade. While Getzlaf played his last game this season, Perry still is a significant contributor for the Lightning. Some Ducks fans could have a hard time jumping on the Tampa Bay bandwagon after two straight Cup championships, but if it means a chance for Perry to win another title, some may sign up.
ARIZONA COYOTES
Who's playing where: Boston Bruins: Taylor Hall, F; Carolina Hurricanes: Tony DeAngelo, D; Max Domi, F; Jordan Martinook, F; Antti Raanta, G; Derek Stepan, F; Calgary Flames: Michael Stone, D; Colorado Avalanche: Darcy Kuemper, G; Edmonton Oilers: Derick Brassard, F; Mike Smith, G; Florida Panthers: Anthony Duclair, F; Minnesota Wild: Alex Goligoski, D; Toronto Maple Leafs: Michael Bunting, F; Ilya Lyubushkin, D; Washington Capitals: Johan Larsson, F
Missed the most: Smith is the Coyotes/Winnipeg Jets leader among goalies in games played (312) and shutouts (32) and is third in wins (128).
Who to root for: The Oilers, a longtime rival going back to the World Hockey Association days, might be tough for Coyotes fans to root for. But they should still remember Smith as the backbone of the Arizona team that reached the 2012 Western Conference Final. At age 40, Smith might not have much more time left to win the Cup. The Oilers also have another well-respected veteran with a Coyotes past in forward Derick Brassard, who scored 20 points (eight goals, 12 assists) in 53 games for them last season.
BUFFALO SABRES
Who's playing where: Boston Bruins: Taylor Hall, F; Curtis Lazar, F; Linus Ullmark, G; Calgary Flames: Nikita Zadorov, D; Dallas Stars: Andrej Sekera, D; Edmonton Oilers: Evander Kane, F; Zack Kassian, F; Florida Panthers: Robert Hagg, D; Brandon Montour, D; Sam Reinhart, F; Minnesota Wild: Nicolas Deslauriers, F; Marcus Foligno, F; Dmitry Kulikov, D; Pittsburgh Penguins: Evan Rodrigues, F; St. Louis Blues: Ryan O'Reilly, F; Marco Scandella, D; Tampa Bay Lightning: Zach Bogosian, D; Toronto Maple Leafs: Wayne Simmonds, F; Washington Capitals: Marcus Johansson, F; Johan Larsson, F; Conor Sheary, F
Missed the most: O'Reilly was acquired in a trade with the Avalanche on June 26, 2015, with the hope that he could take pressure off Jack Eichel, who the Sabres had taken the same day with the No. 2 pick of the 2015 NHL Draft. After three seasons that saw the Sabres finish no higher than seventh in the Atlantic Division, O'Reilly was traded to the St. Louis Blues on July 1, 2018. He then helped the Blues win the Stanley Cup in 2019.
Who to root for: Ullmark was the definition of a good soldier during his six seasons with the Sabres, posting a .922 even-strength save percentage while facing 25.7 even-strength shots on goal per game, and an average of 31.7 shots on goal per 60 minutes, tied for 12th most in the NHL among goalies to play at least 100 games from 2015-21. While it didn't work out for him in Buffalo, Sabres fans should root for Ullmark and the Bruins to take home the Cup this season.
CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS
Who's playing where: Carolina Hurricanes: Antti Raanta, G; Teuvo Teravainen, F; Calgary Flames: Nikita Zadorov, D; Edmonton Oilers: Duncan Keith, D; Florida Panthers: Anthony Duclair, F; Gustav Forsling, D; Los Angeles Kings: Phillip Danault, F; Olli Maatta, D; Minnesota Wild: Marc-Andre Fleury, G; Ryan Hartman, F; New York Rangers: Tyler Motte, F; Artemi Panarin, F; St. Louis Blues: Nick Leddy, D; Brandon Saad, F; Tampa Bay Lightning: Brandon Hagel, F; Jan Rutta, D; Toronto Maple Leafs: David Kampf, F Washington Capitals: Michal Kempny, D; Trevor van Riemsdyk, D
Missed the most: Panarin had back-to-back seasons with at least 30 goals and 74 points playing his first two NHL seasons with the Blackhawks but was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets on June 23, 2017. Panarin has gone on to average 1.21 points per game the past five seasons, sixth among NHL players. Chicago has reached the playoffs once since trading Panarin.
Who to root for: Teravainen is seen by Blackhawks fans as one that got away. A first-round pick (No. 18) in the 2012 NHL Draft, he was starting to blossom when he was traded to the Hurricanes on June 15, 2016, along with forward Bryan Bickell, to create room under the NHL salary cap. The Blackhawks' loss has been the Hurricanes' gain; Teravainen has scored more than 20 goals and 60 points three times in six seasons with Carolina. Teravainen and goalie Antti Raanta had small roles in the Blackhawks 2015 Cup championship.
COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS
Who's playing where: Boston Bruins: Nick Foligno, F; Carolina Hurricanes: Ian Cole, D; Max Domi, F; Colorado Avalanche: Jack Johnson, D; Ryan Murray, D; Edmonton Oilers: Derick Brassard, F; Kris Russell, D; Florida Panthers: Sergei Bobrovsky, G; Anthony Duclair, F; Nashville Predators: Matt Duchene, F; Ryan Johansen, F; New York Rangers: Tyler Motte, F; Artemi Panarin, F; Pittsburgh Penguins: Jeff Carter, F; St. Louis Blues: Brandon Saad, F
Missed the most: Bobrovsky was voted the Vezina Trophy winner twice as the best goalie in the NHL (2012-13, 2016-17) during his seven seasons in Columbus. The Blue Jackets had a .926 5-on-5 save percentage with Bobrovsky playing the majority of the games from 2012-19; it's .916 in three seasons since.
Who to root for: Few players embed themselves in a community the way Foligno did during his nine seasons in Columbus. In October 2016, he made a $500,000 donation to Nationwide Children's Hospital, which renamed its cardiovascular research center the Foligno Family Cardiovascular Research Lab, and he won the King Clancy Trophy in 2017 as the player who has made a noteworthy contribution to his community. If the Bruins win the Stanley Cup, they should fire the cannon in his honor at Nationwide Arena.
DETROIT RED WINGS
Who's playing where: Boston Bruins: Tomas Nosek, F; Carolina Hurricanes: Brendan Smith, D; Colorado Avalanche: Darren Helm, F; Dallas Stars: Luke Glendening, F; Vladislav Namestnikov, F; Los Angeles Kings: Andreas Athanasiou, F; Troy Stecher, D; Minnesota Wild: Jon Merrill, D; St. Louis Blues: Nick Leddy, D; Toronto Maple Leafs: Petr Mrazek, G; Washington Capitals: Nick Jensen, D; Anthony Mantha, F
Missed the most: Mantha, the No. 20 pick of the 2013 NHL Draft, looked to be a foundational part of the Red Wings' rebuild but was traded to the Capitals ahead of the deadline last season. Injuries have limited Mantha the past two seasons but there's still a lot of potential there.
Who to root for: Helm was a rookie on the Red Wings' 2008 Stanley Cup championship team, and during his 14 seasons in Detroit developed into a versatile leader who could be depended on in all situations. His 744 games are 17th all-time for the Red Wings. It might be hard for Detroit fans to root for anything related to Colorado, but to be able to see a solid contributor like Helm skate around one more time with the Cup could be worth it.
MONTREAL CANADIENS
Who's playing where: Calgary Flames: Tyler Toffoli, F; Carolina Hurricanes: Max Domi, F; Jesperi Kotkaniemi, F; Colorado Avalanche: Artturi Lehkonen, F; Dallas Stars: Joel Hanley, D; Alexander Radulov, F; Edmonton Oilers: Brett Kulak, D; Florida Panthers: Ben Chiarot, D; Los Angeles Kings: Phillip Danault, F; Minnesota Wild: Nicolas Deslauriers, F; Jon Merrill, D; St. Louis Blues: Marco Scandella, D; Tampa Bay Lightning: Corey Perry, F; Mikhail Sergachev, D; Washington Capitals: Lars Eller, F
Missed the most: Danault played a key role as a shut-down center for the Canadiens last season during their surprising run to the Stanley Cup Final.
Who to root for: There's a lot to choose from for Canadiens fans. A number of players from last season's Cup finalist have been scattered around the NHL this season, including Danault, Lehkonen, Kotkaniemi, Kulak, Merrill and Toffoli. But Chiarot makes the Panthers the team the Canadiens should pull for. The 30-year-old led NHL defensemen in the playoffs last season with 88 hits while averaging 25:15 in ice time, most among Canadiens defensemen. He also was leading Montreal in ice time per game (23:33) prior to being traded March 16. That kind of play deserves some extra cheers from the fans in Montreal.
NEW JERSEY DEVILS
Who's playing where: Boston Bruins: Taylor Hall, F; Calgary Flames: Blake Coleman, F; Colorado Avalanche: Ryan Murray, D; Minnesota Wild: Jon Merrill, D; Pittsburgh Penguins: Brian Boyle, F; Toronto Maple Leafs: Wayne Simmonds, F; Washington Capitals: Marcus Johansson, F
Missed the most: Hall won the Hart Trophy as the most valuable player in the NHL and had career-bests with 39 goals and 93 points in 2017-18. On a team with developing young forwards like Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier and Jesper Bratt, surrounding them with a talent like Hall would be ideal.
Who to root for: The Pittsburgh Penguins are a Metropolitan Division rival, but Boyle's presence with them transcends that. In 2017, during his first training camp with the Devils, Boyle was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia. He returned six weeks after his diagnosis and scored 23 points (13 goals, 10 assists) in 69 games, was voted the Masterton Trophy for dedication and perseverance to the game, and helped the Devils reach the playoffs for the first time in six seasons. At 37 years old and unsigned beyond this season, this could be Boyle's last chance at winning the Cup. It should be easy for Devils fans to put the rivalry aside and root for Boyle and the Penguins this spring.
NEW YORK ISLANDERS
Who's playing where: Carolina Hurricanes: Nino Niederreiter, F; Colorado Avalanche: Devon Toews, D; Edmonton Oilers: Derick Brassard, F; Mikko Koskinen, G; New York Rangers: Ryan Strome, F; St. Louis Blues: Nick Leddy, D; Toronto Maple Leafs: John Tavares, F
Missed the most: Tavares' departure from the Islanders in free agency after the 2017-18 season was seen by many on Long Island as a spear to the guts that the franchise never would recover from. The Islanders have won five playoff series and been one of the final four teams standing in the postseason the previous two seasons; during that time, Tavares and the Maple Leafs have won a total of five postseason games. However the Islanders could have used the offensive boost Tavares would have provided this season as they finished tied for 22nd in the NHL at 2.79 goals per game.
Who to root for: Leddy was the Islanders' best offensive-minded defensemen and a huge part of their transition attack the past two seasons, and their inability to find a player to slide into that role after he was traded to the Detroit Red Wings during the offseason was a big reason New York missed the playoffs this season. Leddy ranks in the top-six all-time among Islanders defensemen in games played (518, sixth), goals (45, sixth), assists (198, fourth) and points (243, fourth). After winning the Cup with the Blackhawks in 2013, Islanders fans should be pulling for the Blues to give Leddy one more chance to win a championship.
OTTAWA SENATORS
Who's player where: Boston Bruins: Nick Foligno, F; Curtis Lazar, F; Calgary Flames: Erik Gudbranson, D; Carolina Hurricanes: Derek Stepan, F; Dallas Stars: Vladislav Namestnikov, F; Edmonton Oilers: Derick Brassard, F; Cody Ceci, D; Florida Panthers: Anthony Duclair, F; Nashville Predators: Mark Borowiecki, D; Matt Duchene, F; New York Rangers: Mika Zibanejad, F; Tampa Bay Lightning: Brian Elliott, G; Nicholas Paul, F; Toronto Maple Leafs: Jason Spezza, F
Missed the most: Zibanejad looked like he was about to take the next step in his development when the Senators traded him to the Rangers for Brassard on July 18, 2016. He's scored more than 20 goals five times and at least 74 points three times in his six seasons in New York. Brassard was traded to the Penguins after 58 games in 2017-18.
Who to root for: Spezza was a foundational player for 11 seasons with the Senators and he's second all-time for Ottawa in goals (251), assists (436) and points (687), behind Daniel Alfredsson (426 goals, 682 assists, 1,108 points). The closest Spezza has come to winning the Cup was when the Senators reached the Final in 2007 but lost to the Anaheim Ducks in five games. It should be extremely tough for the Senators to root for the Maple Leafs, but the chance to see Spezza skate with the Cup could unite both sides in the Ontario rivalry.
PHILADELPHIA FLYERS
Who's playing where: Colorado Avalanche: Nicolas Aube-Kubel, F; Dallas Stars: Michael Raffl, F; Edmonton Oilers: Derick Brassard, F; Florida Panthers: Sergei Bobrovsky, G; Claude Giroux, F; Radko Gudas, D; Robert Hagg, D; Minnesota Wild: Ryan Hartman, F; Cam Talbot, G; New York Rangers: Justin Braun, D; Pittsburgh Penguins: Jeff Carter, F; St. Louis Blues: Brayden Schenn, F; Tampa Bay Lightning: Pierre-Edouard Bellemare, F; Brian Elliott, G; Toronto Maple Leafs: Petr Mrazek, G; Wayne Simmonds, F
Missed the most: Giroux, who spent 15 seasons with the Flyers, including 10 as captain, prior to being traded to the Panthers on March 19.
Who to root for: The Panthers have a Philadelphia feel with Giroux, Hagg, Gudas and Bobrovsky. But it's Giroux, whose final game with the Flyers was his 1,000th in the NHL, that Flyers fans should be rooting for. He's second all-time for Philadelphia in games played and points (900), and seeing Giroux celebrate a championship would be similar to how Bruins fans felt when Bourque won the Cup with the Avalanche. Also, Bobrovsky, Gudas and Hagg were solid contributors during their time in Philadelphia, and none of them have won a championship either.
SAN JOSE SHARKS
Who's playing where: Colorado Avalanche: Andrew Cogliano, F; Dallas Stars: Joe Pavelski, F; Edmonton Oilers: Evander Kane, F; Florida Panthers: Joe Thornton, F; Minnesota Wild: Jacob Middleton, D; New York Rangers: Justin Braun, D; Barclay Goodrow, F
Missed the most: Pavelski averaged 34 goals per season from 2013-19, but the Sharks allowed him to play out his contract. At 34 years old, he hit free agency for the first time, signed a three-year contract with the Stars in 2019 and helped the Stars reach the Stanley Cup Final in 2020 with a team-high 13 postseason goals. Pavelski scored NHL bests in assists (54) and points (81) and played in the NHL All-Star Game this season.
Who to root for: Before Thornton got to San Jose, the Sharks had reached the playoffs eight times in 13 seasons. But in Thornton's 15 seasons, they made the postseason 13 times, reached the conference final four times and the Cup Final in 2016. He has five of the seven highest single-season point totals in Sharks history, topped by 114 in 2006-07, and his 1,055 points are second all-time for the Sharks after Patrick Marleau (1,111). Thornton's production combined with his infectious personality and remarkable beard made San Jose can't-miss viewing for most of his tenure. At 42, Thornton isn't a sure thing to be in the Panthers lineup for every playoff game, but Sharks fans should have their TV tuned to Florida games with the hope Thornton finally gets his skate with Stanley.
SEATTLE KRAKEN
Who's playing where: Calgary Flames: Calle Jarnkrok, F; Nashville Predators: Jeremy Lauzon, D; Toronto Maple Leafs: Colin Blackwell, F; Mark Giordano, D; Washington Capitals: Marcus Johansson, F
Missed the most: Giordano was named the first captain of the expansion Kraken the day before the season opener.
Who to root for: Giordano was one of the more popular players among fans and teammates with the Kraken, because of his leadership and effectiveness on the ice. He's 38 years old, and now has a chance to help his hometown team win its first Stanley Cup since 1967. The Maple Leafs are the only team with two former Kraken players on it, so Seattle fans should be sending their love to Toronto this spring.
VANCOUVER CANUCKS
Who's playing where: Calgary Flames: Erik Gudbranson, D; Jacob Markstrom, G; Christopher Tanev, D; Tyler Toffoli, F; Dallas Stars: Braden Holtby, G; Edmonton Oilers: Zack Kassian, F; Los Angeles Kings: Alexander Edler, D; Troy Stetcher, D; New York Rangers: Tyler Motte, F; Washington Capitals: Nic Dowd, F
Missed the most: Thatcher Demko has been good as the Canucks' No. 1 goalie the past two seasons, but he hasn't been as reliable as Markstrom, who helped Vancouver reach the second round of the playoffs in 2020. The Canucks opted not to re-sign him, and this season Markstrom backstopped the Flames to first place in the Pacific Division while Vancouver missed the playoffs for the second straight season.
Who to root for: Edler holds the Canucks records for most games played (925), goals (99), assists (310) and points (409) by a defenseman. But the 36-year-old signed with the Kings during the offseason. Edler set the standard on the blue line in Vancouver for 15 seasons, and since the Canucks can't win the Cup, their fans should be rooting for Edler to win it with the Kings.
VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS
Who's playing where: Boston Bruins: Erik Haula, F; Tomas Nosek, F; Calgary Flames: Ryan Carpenter, F; Minnesota Wild: Marc-Andre Fleury, G; Jon Merrill, D; Nashville Predators: Nick Cousins, F; New York Rangers: Ryan Reaves, F; St. Louis Blues: David Perron, F; Tampa Bay Lightning: Pierre-Edouard Bellemare, F
Missed the most: Fleury was voted the Vezina Trophy winner as the best goalie in the NHL last season and then was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks. With Robin Lehner unable to finish the season while trying to play through a shoulder injury sustained in February, Fleury likely would have been a better option than rookie Logan Thompson, who played well but had three games of NHL experience prior to starting 14 of the Golden Knights' final 20 games.
Who to root for: There are eight players from the inaugural "Golden Misfits" playing in the postseason: Bellemare, Carpenter, Fleury, Haula, Merrill, Nosek, Perron and Reaves. But no player made a bigger impact in Las Vegas than Fleury, who was the smiling face of the franchise and the backbone of an expansion team that reached the Stanley Cup Final in 2018. Fleury won three Stanley Cup championships with the Penguins (2009, 2016, 2017), but he cemented his Hall of Fame status during his four seasons with the Golden Knights. There's no doubt Vegas fans will be rooting for the Wild to see Fleury skate with the Cup one more time.
WINNIPEG JETS
Who's playing where: Boston Bruins: Derek Forbort, D; Calgary Flames: Trevor Lewis, F; Edmonton Oilers: Evander Kane, F; Florida Panthers: Ben Chiarot, D; Los Angeles Kings: Brendan Lemieux, F; Minnesota Wild: Dmitry Kulikov, D; New York Rangers: Andrew Copp, F; Jacob Trouba, D; Tampa Bay Lightning: Zach Bogosian, D
Missed the most: Trouba established himself as a franchise defenseman during his six seasons with the Jets, scoring at least eight goals three times and at least 30 points twice.
Who to root for: Copp was a Swiss Army knife during his eight seasons with the Jets. He developed from a bottom-six energy forward into a dependable secondary scorer with four straight seasons of double-figures in goals. He's opened the offense up even more since he was traded to the Rangers on March 21 with 18 points (eight goals, 10 assists) in 16 games. Rooting for the Rangers could be tough for Jets fans considering the turmoil surrounding Trouba's trade to New York in 2019, but that shouldn't keep Jets fans from rooting for the Rangers to see Copp reach his ultimate goal.
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