Which ex-San Jose Shark will hoist the Stanley Cup? Here are our favorites
SAN JOSE – Almost right from when they acquired him from the San Jose Sharks in December, Mackenzie Blackwood helped stabilize the goaltending position for the Colorado Avalanche.
Now, anything seems possible for a Colorado team looking to win the Stanley Cup for the second time in four years.
“When you have a guy like that back there,” Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar said of Blackwood, “that gives you that confidence.”
Blackwood, though, is far from being the only ex-Sharks player to have a chance at winning the Cup. With at least one former Shark on 12 of the 16 playoff teams this year, there’s a good chance one will hoist the silver chalice above his heads in late June.
Last year, it was forwards Steven Lorentz and Jonah Gadjovich with the Florida Panthers, and the year before it was goalie Adin Hill with the Vegas Golden Knights. Who could it be this year?
Here’s who we think has the best chance.
Eastern Conference
(in alphabetical order)
Carolina Hurricanes
FORMER SHARK: D Brent Burns
ANALYSIS: Burns and the Hurricanes should be able to get past New Jersey in the first round. That’s just what they do. But Carolina would be an underdog to the Washington Capitals if they meet, and to whoever comes out of the Atlantic Division. Same ol’ Canes. OUR ODDS: 15/1.
Florida Panthers
FORMER SHARKS: F Jonah Gadjovich, D Jaycob Megna, C Nico Sturm, G Vitek Vanecek
ANALYSIS: Gadjovich was not issued a qualifying offer by the Sharks in June 2023, signed with the Panthers a few months later, and then won a Cup with the Panthers last year. But repeating won’t be easy. Florida first has a fierce matchup against the Tampa Bay Lightning before potentially facing the improved Toronto Maple Leafs. Still, the Panthers have the roster and goaltending to do it, and the ex-Sharks will be asked to contribute in their way. OUR ODDS: 6/1.
New Jersey Devils
FORMER SHARKS: D Brenden Dillon, F Timo Meier, F Stefan Noesen
ANALYSIS: The Devils looked primed for a deep run before Jack Hughes sustained a season-ending shoulder injury in March. Then two other New Jersey players, including Dillon, were injured in a Game 1 loss on Sunday. It adds up to a quick series loss for the Devils. OUR ODDS: 100-1.
Ottawa Senators
FORMER SHARK: F Fabian Zetterlund
ANALYSIS: Zetterlund has fit in well with the Senators since he was traded last month, but he might have to make a huge impact with the Sens facing a stacked Leafs team. While Zetterlund is among an impressive group of young and hungry forwards in Ottawa, the Senators have a tough road ahead with their lack of experience. OUR ODDS: 100-1.
Toronto Maple Leafs
FORMER SHARK: F Steven Lorentz
ANALYSIS: Lorentz has carved out a nice role in Toronto and has become one of coach Craig Berube’s favorites. Lorentz is playing more minutes now than last season in Florida, where he averaged seven minutes in 16 playoff games. Toronto looks ready for a deep run, and don’t be surprised if Lorentz is playing for his second Cup in as many years. OUR ODDS: 9/2.
Western Conference
Colorado Avalanche
FORMER SHARK: G Mackenzie Blackwood
ANALYSIS: Blackwood went 22-12-3 with a .913 save percentage in 37 games with the Avalanche, then made 23 saves in Colorado’s Game 1 win over the Dallas Stars in his first-ever postseason start. Will Blackwood’s lack of postseason experience matter at all this spring? Not if the Avalanche continue to score four or five goals per game. This team could be for real. OUR ODDS: 7/1.
Dallas Stars
FORMER SHARKS: D Cody Ceci, F Mikael Granlund, Head coach Pete DeBoer
ANALYSIS: Ceci and Granlund have been solid additions to the Stars since coming from San Jose in February. However, Dallas was dealt a big blow when forward Jason Robertson was injured in the team’s regular-season finale last week. It’s also unclear when defenseman Miro Heiskanen might return. Unless the Stars, who struggled down the stretch, can quickly find their game, the season could be over soon for DeBoer’s team. OUR ODDS: 14/1.
Edmonton Oilers
FORMER SHARKS: D Ty Emberson, F Evander Kane, D Jake Walman
ANALYSIS: Emberson and Walman have each found some success with the Oilers, who are looking to make a return trip to the Cup Final behind Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Emberson just signed a two-year extension with Edmonton, and Walman has provided the Oilers with another puck-mover on the back end. Kane (hip/knee) is close to being cleared. Still, the loss of injured defenseman Mattias Ekholm (undisclosed) looms large. OUR ODDS: 11/1.
Los Angeles Kings
FORMER SHARK: D Kyle Burroughs
ANALYSIS: Burroughs likely will not figure prominently into the Kings’ series against the Oilers. What is key for Los Angeles will be how well it can slow down McDavid and Draisaitl, and if goalie Darcy Kuemper’s regular-season success can carry into the playoffs. Still, even if the Kings get past Edmonton, they still need 12 more wins. OUR ODDS: 10/1.
Minnesota Wild
FORMER SHARK: D Jake Middleton
ANALYSIS: The Wild got healthy right before the playoffs with Middleton, Kirill Kaprizov, and Joel Eriksson Ek all returning to the lineup. Will it matter in their first-round matchup against the Vegas Golden Knights? Probably not. OUR ODDS: 75-1.
Vegas Golden Knights
FORMER SHARKS: F Tomas Hertl, G Adin Hill
ANALYSIS: Nobody seems to be talking about the Golden Knights as a Cup favorite right now, which is odd considering their pedigree. Hertl was injured and missed some time right before the playoffs began, but perhaps it was a blessing in disguise, allowing him time to heal any other bumps and bruises. Hill has shown he can make the needed saves, the defense corps is big and deep, and every forward, led by Jack Eichel, seems to play a sound two-way game. Can any team beat Vegas in a seven-game series? OUR ODDS: 5/2.
Winnipeg Jets
FORMER SHARK: D Dylan DeMelo
ANALYSIS: DeMelo doesn’t get much fanfare, but he plays a big role on a Presidents Trophy-winning Jets team that appears capable of going on a deep run. Backed by goalie Connor Hellebuyck, favored to win a second straight Vezina Trophy, the Jets had the NHL’s stingiest defense and one of its most potent offenses. Who knows? Maybe the Cup will make an appearance at Portage and Main this summer. OUR ODDS: 5/1.