The Stanley Cup has been awarded, and the Carolina Hurricanes are the victors, 20 years after the first time the franchise hoisted Lord Stanley. They beat the Vegas Golden Knights in six games in what should be remembered as a classic series: trading wins and losses for the first four games, an incredible late-game comeback by the Canes only to lose in overtime, and a decisive shutout victory to seal the deal. It was an incredible end to the 2025-26 season.
For the St. Louis Blues, it's been seven years since their improbable championship, and they've had little playoff success in the intervening years. General manager Doug Armstrong is on his way out, and Alex Steen will be taking over in a matter of weeks. As the Blues transition into a new era, here are three things they can learn from the Hurricanes.
You don't need to tank
The Carolina Hurricanes picked in the top five only once, and it was the result of some lottery luck. With the second-overall selection, they took Andrei Svechnikov, who's been a good player but is by no means a superstar you'd want with a pick that high. The Canes built their roster throughout the rest of the draft and making savvy trades and signings; you don't need to tank for talent, so long as your management trust makes smart moves with a clear vision in mind.
You don't need superstars
As mentioned, Svechnikov--the Canes' highest in-house draft pick--is not a superstar. Sebastian Aho is a very good player, but he's not a top-10 center in the league; neither is Jaccob Slavin anyone's idea of a Norris contender, despite being perhaps the best shutdown defenseman in the league. In net, Freddie Andersen has the ability to be lights out, but injuries lower his availability--and Brandon Bussi was a waiver claim.
The Canes demonstrated that you can win through depth and just having a lot of really good players slotted appropriately in the lineup. A star would be nice (and they've tried to make those swings before, with Jake Guentzel and Mikko Rantanen), but it isn't always a necessary component.
Staying the course can pay off
For years, the Canes' brand of hockey has been cast as ineffective in the playoffs. The aggressive forechecking and shoot-from-anywhere mentality wins in the regular season but, come the playoffs, it's too taxing and, when the games get tight, not a way to win.
Carolina proved that yes, actually, you can win in the playoffs with their style--and do it while barely breaking a sweat. Their 16-3 record on the path to the Stanley Cup is impressive itself, but sweeping the first two rounds provided plenty of rest, too; the Canes came into their final against Vegas refreshed and ready to roll.
If the Blues aren't going to rebuild, then they're going to need to retool--and Carolina provides a template for how to approach such a task. The Blues didn't tank when the season went off the rails and, while they lack superstars, they have good players on the roster. Maybe if they stay the course, they'll be proven right for sticking with the team they've got.
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