10 NHL Players (active and former) who deserve a Stanley Cup

The 2025 Stanley Cup Final between the Oilers and Panthers begins tomorrow. To mark the occasion, here are 10 NHL players (current and former) who deserve a Stanley Cup ring... but who were never able to lift the trophy during their NHL career.

Pat LaFontaine retired in 1998, but he is remembered as one of the National League's most electrifying players. He had tremendous success with the New York Islanders and Buffalo Sabres, and when you think of the best NHL players who never won the famous trophy, he's definitely on the list.

Pavel Bure, the Russian Rocket! His speed on the ice made him a dangerous player at any moment of a game. His first few seasons in the NHL were exceptional, and he quickly established himself as one of the league's top players. But his career-best 31 points in 24 playoff games during the 1993-94 season weren't enough to help the Canucks win the Stanley Cup Final. It was Bure's only appearance in the Final of his career.

Imagine this: You score 731 goals and 1,771 points in your career, but your name isn't on the Stanley Cup. This is the story of Marcel Dionne, one of the best players in National League history. And the crazy thing is... he only played 47 playoff games during his 19-year NHL career.

Daniel Alfredsson has long been the face of hockey in Sweden. The former Senators captain had a superb NHL career with the Senators and Red Wings (mostly in Ottawa), and he reached the Stanley Cup Final in 2007. But that year, the Ducks were too good for the Sens... and that dashed Alfredsson's chances.

Joe Thornton truly deserved to win the Stanley Cup. He had chances to do so in San Jose... but the Sharks were never able to achieve the ultimate mission: lifting the precious trophy. It's a shame, because he has a great personality and on the ice, his vision helped his teammates be even better. The loss in the final during the 14-15 season must still be fresh in his memory.

It's no secret: Henrik Lundqvist was one of the best goaltenders of his generation. He dominated for several years in net in New York, but because the Rangers had a reputation for not being able to win in big moments, he never won the Stanley Cup. He came close in the final against the Kings during the 2013-14 season, but that ultimately proved to be his only chance.

Shane Doan's name isn't the first that comes to mind when we talk about the best players in NHL history. But he's still one of the players who played the most games in the NHL (1,540), and unfortunately for him, playing only for the poor Arizona Coyotes negatively impacted his chances of winning the Stanley Cup.

Jarome Iginla left Calgary to give himself a better chance at winning the Stanley Cup. But his time in Pittsburgh, Boston, Colorado, and Los Angeles didn't help him achieve his ultimate goal. He only appeared in one Finals, during the 2003-04 season. That year, the Lightning, with Vincent Lecavalier and Martin St-Louis, caused a bit of a surprise by defeating the Flames and Jarome Iginla.

Connor McDavid has proven himself. He's already established himself as one of the best players in NHL history, but he's missing one accomplishment in particular: a Stanley Cup. Will he be able to capture his first ring by beating the Panthers this year?

It's the same exact thing for Leon Draisaitl. He's been racking up points at a blistering pace since joining the National Hockey League, but he's never lifted the Stanley Cup alongside McDavid. The duo will have to work together to finally have the chance to experience their finest career moment.