The Athletic Hockey Show The eight true Stanley Cup contenders
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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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Colorado As The Clear Benchmark
- The Colorado Avalanche are the only NHL team the hosts see as having no roster holes this season.
- Mark Lazerus and Max Bultman argue Colorado's depth and experienced clutch players make them the clear top Cup favorite.
Tampa's Defensive Surge Matters
- Tampa Bay's recent run and defensive structure make them a legitimate Cup threat despite missing Andrei Vasilevskiy.
- Rob Rossi warns Tampa Bay may still struggle against an in-form Florida Panthers in a seven-game series.
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.