Hockey is supposed to be about talent, coaching, and hard numbers–not hexes.
But for fans of certain NHL franchises, the pain is all too real. It’s not just about losing; it’s about how they lose–the blown Game 7s, the fluke goals, the endless decades without a Cup. After a while, you stop calling it coincidence and start saying your team is cursed.
Of course, we’re not just relying on vibes. We built a system to measure the misery. Looking at factors like Stanley Cup droughts, final losses, playoff futility, and elimination game heartbreak, we’ve identified the teams that seem truly cursed.
So whether you believe in bad luck or just bad management, these are the NHL franchises where hope goes to die. Before we take a look at the rankings, here’s what stood out from the data:
Top Findings
- The Utah Mammoth team (formerly the Arizona Coyotes) is the most cursed NHL team.
- The 2nd most jinxed team is the Buffalo Sabres.
- 10 NHL teams have never won a Stanley Cup.
- The Utah Mammoth team is unique in having never reached the finals.
5 Most Cursed NHL Teams
| Rank | Team Name | Stanley Cup Drought (Years) | Fan Sentiment Score | Elimination Win% (Inversed) | Final Cursed Index (0-100) |
| 1 | Utah Mammoth | 45 | 28.65 | 80% | 69.59 |
| 2 | Buffalo Sabres | 54 | 24.29 | 55% | 63.68 |
| 3 | Toronto Maple Leafs | 58 | 23.37 | 52% | 60.84 |
| 4 | New York Islanders | 42 | 27.91 | 44% | 60.51 |
| 5 | Dallas Stars | 26 | 26.4 | 51% | 52.73 |
1. Utah Mammoth
- Stanley Cup Drought Years: 45
- Elimination Game Losses: 80%
- Negative Fan Comments: 28.65%
Formerly the unlucky Arizona Coyotes, the Utah Mammoth team hasn’t shaken their curse yet. The team has never won a Stanley Cup, or even made it to the finals. This ranking isn’t just about the cup however. It’s the consistent playoff disappointments, and numerous unfruitful seasons that have left their fan base in a state of prolonged suffering. Unsurprisingly, the Mammoth fans are the most disillusioned on the internet.
2. Buffalo Sabres
- Stanley Cup Drought Years: 54
- Elimination Game Losses: 54.7%
- Negative Fan Comments: 24.29%
Known for their perennial disappointment, the Buffalo Sabres have endured 54 years of Stanley Cup heartbreak with two finals losses under their belt. Despite flashes of talent and potential, the Sabres continue to be thwarted in their playoff pursuits. While the Sabres are the most affordable NHL team for families, it begs the question: Are fans getting their money’s worth?
“The Buffalo Sabres live in a state of perpetual potential,” explains a Canada Sports Betting commentator. “There’s an air of ‘almost there’ that tantalizes and tortures the fan base in equal measure.”
3. Toronto Maple Leafs
- Stanley Cup Drought Years: 58
- Elimination Game Losses: 52.1%
- Negative Fan Comments: 23.37%
The Toronto Maple Leafs, one of the Original Six teams, carry the heavy burden of a 58-year Cup-less era interspersed with eight finals losses. Their storied history is a double-edged sword, with past glories overshadowing present struggles. The Leafs’ ongoing playoff drought fuels a passionate but pained fan base in Ontario. Other Canadian teams like Quebec’s Montreal Canadiens are fairly mid when it comes to luck, but compared to the Maple Leafs they seem downright fortunate.
4. New York Islanders
- Stanley Cup Drought Years: 42
- Elimination Game Losses: 43.9%
- Negative Fan Comments: 27.91%
From dynasty to drought, the New York Islanders have not made it to the Stanley Cup since their last reign in the early ’80s. The 42-year gap between championships looms large, coupled with agonizing close calls and head-scratching losses. Islanders’ fans are the 2nd most negative about their team in the whole league.
5. Dallas Stars
- Stanley Cup Drought Years: 26
- Elimination Game Losses: 50.7%
- Negative Fan Comments: 26.40%
Even with a near win in 2020, the Dallas Stars have seen a 26-year ebb from greatness, overshadowed by critical playoff failures. Their intermittent bursts of excellence are overshadowed by longstanding gaps in finals appearances and untimely errors. The Stars fans, though resilient, face an uphill battle against both bad breaks and consistency.
The Most Blessed NHL Teams
Let’s look at the other side of the coin, the teams where fans are used to winning–and seem to have luck on their side.
| Rank | Team Name | Stanley Cup Drought (Years) | Fan Sentiment Score | Elimination Win% (Inverse) | Final Cursed Index (0-100) |
| 1 | Florida Panthers | 0 | 18.1 | 50% | 12.83 |
| 2 | Seattle Kraken | 3 | 20.8 | 33% | 20.49 |
| 3 | Colorado Avalanche | 3 | 22.17 | 51% | 25.59 |
| 4 | Carolina Hurricanes | 19 | 20.73 | 51% | 26.25 |
| 5 | Washington Capitals | 7 | 24.48 | 60% | 27.55 |
1. Florida Panthers
- Stanley Cup Drought Years: 0
- Finals Losses: 2 (But recent appearances)
- Negative Fan Comments: 18.10%
The Florida Panthers have emerged as one of the “most blessed” teams, aided by their 2024 and 2025 Stanley Cup win. The Panthers are on a winning streak, invigorating their franchise and fan base. The momentum behind their recent performances has invigorated fans and kept the spirit high in the Sunshine State.
2. Seattle Kraken
- Stanley Cup Drought Years: 3
- Finals Losses: 0
- Negative Fan Comments: 20.8%
As one of the NHL’s newest franchises, the Seattle Kraken have quickly carved out a competitive identity. Despite their brief history, the team’s playoff appearances and spirited performances have earned them admiration across the league. With no Finals heartbreaks and a rapidly growing, optimistic fan base, the Kraken embody the excitement of a rising contender.
3. Colorado Avalanche
- Stanley Cup Drought Years: 3
- Finals Losses: 0
- Negative Fan Comments: 22.17%
Riding high from recent successes, the Colorado Avalanche are reaping the benefits of a strong roster and strategic gameplay. Without any finals losses in recent memory and a short drought period, they have quickly become a force to reckon with. The Avalanche’s positive trajectory has generated enthusiastic support, establishing them as a formidable and blessed presence.
4. Carolina Hurricanes
- Stanley Cup Drought Years: 19
- Finals Losses: 1 (Before their 2018 victory)
- Negative Fan Comments: 20.73%
Although their last Stanley Cup came in 2006, the team has built a reputation for resilience and strong playoff runs in recent years. Fan sentiment remains upbeat thanks to steady leadership and an exciting roster that keeps the Hurricanes in the championship conversation. Their only Finals loss sits far in the past.
5. Washington Capitals
- Stanley Cup Drought Years: 7
- Finals Losses: 1 (Before their 2018 victory)
- Negative Fan Comments: 24.48%
Having finally captured the Stanley Cup in 2018, the Washington Capitals have significantly reduced their drought woes. Despite one finals loss, they are on a favourable path, buoyed by a talented squad and strong fan backing. The 2018 victory has left an enduring legacy of prowess and left Capitals fans in high spirits.
NHL Teams, From Most Cursed To Least
| Rank | Team Name | Stanley Cup Drought (Years) | Fan Sentiment Score | Elimination Win% (Inversed) | Final Cursed Index (0-100) |
| 1 | Arizona Coyotes | 45 | 28.65 | 80% | 69.59 |
| 2 | Buffalo Sabres | 54 | 24.29 | 55% | 63.68 |
| 3 | Toronto Maple Leafs | 58 | 23.37 | 52% | 60.84 |
| 4 | New York Islanders | 42 | 27.91 | 44% | 60.51 |
| 5 | Dallas Stars | 26 | 26.4 | 51% | 52.73 |
| 6 | Boston Bruins | 14 | 25.05 | 59% | 51.72 |
| 7 | New York Rangers | 31 | 23.93 | 56% | 51.43 |
| 8 | Philadelphia Flyers | 50 | 21.3 | 51% | 50.21 |
| 9 | Columbus Blue Jackets | 24 | 24.75 | 75% | 48.1 |
| 10 | Los Angeles Kings | 11 | 24.91 | 54% | 46.53 |
| 11 | Montreal Canadiens | 32 | 25.61 | 49% | 46.48 |
| 12 | Nashville Predators | 26 | 24.15 | 70% | 45.93 |
| 13 | Detroit Red Wings | 17 | 22.28 | 53% | 42.49 |
| 14 | Vegas Golden Knights | 2 | 25.03 | 67% | 38.86 |
| 15 | Minnesota Wild | 24 | 23.31 | 52% | 37.9 |
| 16 | Tampa Bay Lightning | 4 | 24.89 | 47% | 36.96 |
| 17 | Ottawa Senators | 32 | 22.13 | 63% | 36.75 |
| 18 | Vancouver Canucks | 54 | 20.62 | 54% | 36.67 |
| 19 | Calgary Flames | 36 | 21.89 | 63% | 36.42 |
| 20 | New Jersey Devils | 22 | 23.34 | 54% | 35.79 |
| 21 | Winnipeg Jets | 25 | 22.47 | 75% | 35.58 |
| 22 | St. Louis Blues | 6 | 24.59 | 58% | 35.05 |
| 23 | Edmonton Oilers | 35 | 22.48 | 49% | 34.08 |
| 24 | Anaheim Ducks | 18 | 19.96 | 59% | 30.95 |
| 25 | San Jose Sharks | 33 | 18.22 | 57% | 29.58 |
| 26 | Chicago Blackhawks | 10 | 22.2 | 61% | 28.95 |
| 27 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 8 | 23.09 | 52% | 28.14 |
| 28 | Washington Capitals | 7 | 24.48 | 60% | 27.55 |
| 29 | Carolina Hurricanes | 19 | 20.73 | 51% | 26.25 |
| 30 | Colorado Avalanche | 3 | 22.17 | 51% | 25.59 |
| 31 | Seattle Kraken | 3 | 20.8 | 33% | 20.49 |
| 32 | Florida Panthers | 0 | 18.1 | 50% | 12.83 |
Can the Curse Be Broken?
In hockey, heartbreak can last generations, but so can hope. Every “cursed” team eventually gets its moment, whether through a miracle run or a lucky bounce that no stat could predict.
Because at the end of the day, hockey isn’t about hexes or heartbreak–it’s about believing that next season might finally be the one.
Methodology
To measure how “cursed” each NHL franchise feels, we pulled together stats and fan sentiment across a few key areas:
- Championship Droughts: How many years it’s been since a team last won (or since it was founded if it’s never won) and how many times it’s lost in the Stanley Cup Final.
- Playoff Futility: How long it’s been since a team last reached the playoffs and how often they crumble when facing elimination.
- Infamous Moments & Management Blunders: We analyzed over one million Reddit comments to see which teams are most often associated with collapses, bad trades, or general hockey heartbreak. Using keyword searches (think “curse,” “collapse,” “worst trade,” etc.)
- Fan Suffering Index: The percentage of negative online comments on Reddit from fans about their own team.
The result? A single number capturing the perfect storm of failure, heartbreak, and despair that defines the NHL’s most cursed franchises. You can see the full dataset and more detailed breakdown here.
Sources
NHL.com- Stanley Cup Winners
Reddit sentiment analysis
NHL.com; Wikipedia – NHL Franchise Post-season Droughts (2025)
Reddit (1M+ comment dataset)