Why the Canadiens will be the team to break Canada's Stanley Cup drought

The NHL looked like they'd get a new Stanley Cup Champion after the Montreal Canadiens were the last team to do it in 1993. The Canadiens nearly pulled off the impossible in 2021, but the Toronto Maple Leafs, Winnipeg Jets, and Edmonton Oilers have all looked like contenders in recent years. The Oilers were one win away from completing the task last season after rallying from a 3-0 deficit, but the Florida Panthers emerged victorious in Game 7. The Winnipeg Jets have had teams capable of making runs but seem to crumble under the pressure in the postseason. And the Toronto Maple Leafs, well, they are the Maple Leafs.

The Edmonton Oilers are the most capable of breaking the drought next season. However, how they'll adjust after losing Ryan McLeod, Dylan Holloway, Cody Ceci, and Philipp Broberg is unknown. The Maple Leafs need to win more than five games in the postseason to be taken seriously as a Stanley Cup contender, and their offseason moves give me no reason to believe they can change that this season.

Let's not get ahead of ourselves. The Canadiens aren't going to be Stanley Cup contenders next season. They'll need to see how Patrik Laine does in his return to action, and they have too many question marks with their offensive depth to justify a Stanley Cup run. Can they contend for a playoff spot deep into the season? Yes. Can they go on a miracle run like 2021? Yes. Is it a high probability? Not even close.

The intriguing thought for the Canadiens is their projected lineup in two seasons. Imagine a world where Laine becomes a 40-goal scorer and re-signs in Montreal for a reasonable amount of money. They'll ice a lineup that is undoubtedly a playoff contender and may even journey into the Stanley Cup contender category.

The Canadiens and Kent Hughes may also not be done. They have 19 draft picks over the next three years, which Hughes could use to upgrade his prospect pool but could also acquire more ready and sure help. The Canadiens have all the pieces to contend for a Stanley Cup in the next five years, and Hughes isn't going to wait for it to happen.

It's going to be a fun time to be a Canadiens fan. Enjoy the ride and prepare for the Canadiens to one day break the Canadian Stanley Cup drought.