View of the Stanley Cup, the National Hockey League’s championship trophy, taken during the cup’s 100th year anniversary, New York, New York, November 1992. The cup is named after Sir Frederick Arthur Stanley. (Photo by Scott Levy/Getty Images)
Here are the 30 best players to never have won a Stanley Cup.
30. Bernie Federko
Jan 24, 2020; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; NHL former player Bernie Federko during the accuracy shooting competition in the 2020 NHL All Star Game Skills Competition at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Never played in a Stanley Cup Final in his career.
29. Peter Bondra
January 31, 2006; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Thrashers forward (12) Peter Bondra circles the net while being checked by the Buffalo Sabres defenseman (51) Brian Campbell while the Sabres (30) Ryan Miller hugs the goal post during action at at Philips Arena. The Sabres won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Dale Zanine USA TODAY Sports Copyright (c) 2006 Dale Zanine
Only played on one Cup Final where he was swept by the Red Wings.
28. Darryl Sittler
Feb 7, 2011; Toronto, ON, Canada; Toronto Maple Leafs former player Darryl Sittler (27) is honored on the 35th anniversary of setting the NHL record for most points in one game with ten before the game against the Atlanta Thrashers at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Never played in a Stanley Cup Final in his entire career
27. P.K. Subban
Jan 12, 2023; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens former defenseman P.K. Subban gets honored in a ceremony prior to the game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-USA TODAY Sports
Played in one Cup Final for Nashville when they lost to Pittsburgh
Played in one Stanley Cup Final losing to Anaheim.
25. Borje Salming
Dec 31, 2016; Toronto, ON, Canada; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Tiger Williams (22) (far left) and forward Rick Vaive (22) and defenseman Borje Salming (21) before the start of their game against the Detroit Red Wings during the 2017 Rogers NHL Centennial Classic Alumni Game at BMO Field. The Red Wings beat the Maple Leafs 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Only made it as far as the Cup semifinals
24. Joe Pavelski
OTTAWA, CANADA – FEBRUARY 22: Joe Pavelski #16 of the Dallas Stars skates against the Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Centre on February 22, 2024 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Chris Tanouye/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images)
Lost in two Stanley Cup Finals with two different teams (San Jose and Dallas)
23. Pierre Turgeon
Nov 14, 2023; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; NHL Hall of famer and former Montreal Canadiens captain Pierre Turgeon is inducted into the Montreal Canadiens ring of honor before the game between the Calgary Flames and the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
Only made it as far as the Conference Finals when he was with the Islanders
22. Dale Hunter
Jan 07, 2011; San Jose CA, USA; Washington Capitals head coach Dale Hunter leaves the rink after the game against the San Jose Sharks at HP Pavilion. The San Jose Sharks defeated the Washington Capitals 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Played in one Stanley Cup Final, losing to Detroit in four games
21. Gilbert Perreault
Feb 23, 2011; Buffalo, NY, USA; New Buffalo Sabres owner Terry Pegula is introduced to the fans along with alumni players Rene Robert (14) , Rick Martin (7) and Gilbert Perreault (11) before a game against the Atlanta Thrashers at HSBC Arena. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Played in one Stanley Cup for the Sabres, losing to the Flyers
20. Mats Sundin
TORONTO, ON – JANUARY 9: Mats Sundin #13 of the Toronto Maple Leafs fires a pass across the ice during NHL game action against the Carolina Hurricanes on January 9, 2007 at Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
Reached the Eastern Conference Finals twice but never made it to the Cup Finals
19. Curtis Joseph
Apr 1, 2009; Toronto, ON, Canada; Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Curtis Joseph (31) holds on to the puck after making a save as Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Matt Carle (25) goes to the net at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, ON. The Maple Leafs beat the Flyers 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Reached both the Eastern and Western Conference Finals but never to a Cup Final
18. Dino Ciccarelli
February 1, 2011; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) shakes hands at center ice with former Capitals player and NHL Hall of Famer Dino Ciccarelli (R) prior to the Capitals game against the Montreal Canadiens at Verizon Center. The Canadiens won 3-2 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Played in two Stanley Cup Finals, losing to the Islanders and Devils
17. Keith Tkachuk
OTTAWA, ON – JANUARY 21: Keith Tkachuk #7 of the St. Louis Blues waits on the ice against the Ottawa Senators in a game at Scotiabank Place on January 21, 2010 in Ottawa, Canada. (Photo by Phillip MacCallum/Getty Images)
Only reached the Western Conference Final
16. Phil Housley
Oct 23, 1998; Buffalo, NY, USA; FILE PHOTO; Buffalo center Brian Holzinger (19) in action against Washington Capitals defensemen Phil Housley (96) at Marine Midland Arena. Mandatory Credit: Lou Capozzola-USA TODAY NETWORK
Played in one Stanley Cup Final, losing to Detroit
15. Mike Gartner
Toronto’s Mike Gartner (11), right, goes up against Chicago’s Randy Cunneyworth (19) in the first period , April 28, 1994. Mandatory Credit: Anne Ryan – USA TODAY
Missed out on the Rangers Stanley Cup when the team traded him to Toronto during the 1994 season
14. Paul Kariya
Unknown Date, 1998; Washington, DC, USA; FILE PHOTO; Mighty Ducks of Anaheim left wing Paul Kariya (9) on the ice against Washington Capitals at the MCI Center. Mandatory Credit: Lou Capozzola-USA TODAY NETWORK
Played in one Stanley Cup Final, losing to the Devils
13. Peter Stastny
Slovakian-born professional ice hockey player Peter Stastny of the Quebec Nordiques skates on the ice during a road game, Brendan Byrne Arena, East Rutherford, New Jersey, January 1988. Stastny played for Quebec from 1980 to 1990. (Photo by Bruce Bennett Studios via Getty Images Studios/Getty Images)
Made the Conference Finals twice but never played in a Cup Final
12. Rod Gilbert
Oct 14, 2021; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers center Kevin Rooney, wearing the jersey number 7 in honor of Rod Gilbert, skates on the ice before the game against the Dallas Stars at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Played in one Stanley Cup Final, losing to Boston
11. Adam Oates
Nov 12, 1998; Washington, DC, USA; FILE PHOTO; Buffalo Bills right wing Dixon Ward (15) in action against Washington Capitals center Adam Oates (77) at the MCI Center. Mandatory Credit: Lou Capozzola-USA TODAY NETWORK
Played in one Stanley Cup Final, losing to Detroit
10. Jeremy Roenick
TORONTO, ON – FEBRUARY 13: Jeremy Roenick #27 of the Chicago Black Hawks skates against the Toronto Maple Leafs during NHL game action on February 13, 1995 at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Graig Abel/Getty Images)
Never came close to playing in a Cup Finals
9. Jarome Iginla
Mar 18, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Calgary Flames right wing Jarome Iginla (12) passes the puck during the game against the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center. The Stars defeated the Flames 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Played in one Cup Final, losing to Tampa Bay
8. Brad Park
Oct 11, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins Hockey Hall of Famer Brad Park waves to fans before the game between the Boston Bruins and the Chicago Blackhawks at TD Garden, the start of the Bruins 100th season in the NHL. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Played in back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals, losing to Montreal both times
7. Dale Hawerchuk
Unknown Date, 1992; Buffalo, NY, USA; FILE PHOTO; Buffalo Sabres center Dale Hawerchuk (10) on the ice at Buffalo Memorial Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Lou Capozzola-USA TODAY NETWORK
Only made it as far as the Eastern Conference Finals
6. Henrik Lundqvist
Sep 27, 2005; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) in action against the New Jersey Devils at Continental Airlines Arena. Credit: Lou Capozzola-USA TODAY NETWORK
Played in one Stanley Cup Final, losing to Los Angeles
5. Eric Lindros
Mar 14, 1999; Philadelphia, PA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Dallas Stars center Tony Hrkac (41) in action against Philadelphia Flyers center Eric Lindros (88) at the First Union Center. Mandatory Credit: Lou Capozzola-USA TODAY NETWORK
Played in one Stanley Cup Finals, losing to Detroit
4. Joe Thornton
Apr 10, 2006; Glendale, AZ, USA; San Jose Sharks center (19) Joe Thornton against the Phoenix Coyotes at Glendale Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports Copyright Rick Scuteri
Played in one Stanley Cup Final, losing to Pittsburgh
3. Pavel Bure
Mar 3, 1999; Miami, FL; USA; FILE PHOTO; Florida Panthers forward Pavel Bure (10) in action against the Colorado Avalanche at the Miami Arena. Mandatory Credit: RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports
Played in one Stanley Cup Finals, losing to the Rangers
2. Pat LaFontaine
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – CIRCA 1990: Pat LaFontaine #16 of the New York Islanders skates against the New Jersey Devils during an NHL Hockey game circa 1990 at the Brendan Byrne Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey. LaFontaine’s playing career went from 1983-98. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
Only made it as far as the Divisional Semifinals
1. Marcel Dionne
Jan 31, 1982, Los Angeles, CA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Los Angeles Kings center Marcel Dionne (16) during a game against the New York Rangers at the Great Western Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Got to the second round three times and is known for being the best NHL player never to win the Stanley Cup or reach the Finals
