Stanley Cup Winner: Colorado Avalanche
Have the Avalanche learned their ultimate lesson? Have they learned that it is better to have Mikko Rantanen’ed and lost than to have never Mikko Rantanen’ed at all?
This could make or break their Cup chances this season, as Martin Necas is in line for a contract extension, and he’s becoming one of the most important players on the team.
If the Avalanche let the season play out, let the chemistry between Necas and Nathan MacKinnon flourish, and mentally go all-in this season, they’ve got the right blend of experience, motivation, talent, and depth to win the 2026 Stanley Cup.
Their five-on-five play has been mind-blowing, and it’s been enough to sit atop the Central Division despite one of the worst power plays in the league right now.
The Avs are just warming up.
