Not just 30 years for Canadians, but 30 years for Canadiens too

I audibly laughed at the Gary Bettman framed photo. Shannon you sly dawg you

am I the only one that loves the fact Shannon has a framed picture of Bettman 😂

as a hockey fan in South Louisiana where the nearest teams are Dallas and Nashville, this channel is awesome to get a perspective on the whole league from a normal fan like me. Keep this goin’, eh? Love the videos!

90% of Shannon’s business expenses have to come from dry erase markers

Canucks would've had it if, as UrinatingTree put it, they didn't out-choke the Bruins. What a great run, though.

To actually frame a photo of ol' Gary for this video shows real dedication.

It just seems amazing to me that a Canadian team has not won the Cup in 30 years. That just feels wrong.

You must go through a lot of pens for your wipe board

I remember going to Toronto for the first time and I was shocked at the magnitude of media attention hockey gets. I knew media coverage would be much bigger than in the US, but it was still beyond my wildest imagination. I can't imagine the pressure players on Canadian teams must face every day.

I blame the media. In the US they report on hockey with a more detached attitude, but in Canada everyone is an "expert" critic full of opinions about how the team should be run. It just comes with the passion, and media people are fans too but with a megaphone. The tone in Canada is eternal drama and controversy and I can see that being hard on the players psychologically. I remember in the 70s, Habs' genius Sam Pollock would isolate the players in the playoffs at ski resorts in the Laurentians. It seemed to work out well. But the playoffs are longer now and with internet social media it might not work these days.

To the Canadian team fan bases: Ease up on your teams. Nearly every Canadian team has a mountain of pressure placed on them by the fans and subsequently the local press. 7 teams out of 32 total teams… law of averages says there should be a Canadian champ nearly every five years. There’s definitely something going on - look inward.

The playoff formula doesn't help. Except Winnipeg, all the Canadian teams might have to play each other early in the playoffs

It’s wild to me that, despite being largely mediocre in the last 30 years, the Canucks have been the ONLY team to have been to the Final twice since 1993, and both times they lost in 7. P A I N

One of the main reasons for the drought is the same reason we lost Quebec and Winnipeg originally, its the economic situation here compared to the US. There is simply more revenue in advertising, sponsors, local and state support in the US than Canada. Not to mention and taxes and currency differences also playing a big part.

I was a Jays fan for a few years before they won so have vivid recollections of them winning it all, but wasn't watching hockey yet (not until 1994 playoffs at age 13) so now I'll be turning 43 early next year saying I saw a World Series, NBA Finals, MLS Cup, Calder Cup (Saint John, Hamilton, Toronto), heck even a Kelly Cup (Newfoundland, ECHL) before I saw a Stanley Cup won by one of ours.

Each time Ottawa got close in the third or final round their run ended on a very painful moment… Jeff Friesen’s late game 7 goal for New Jersey, Chris Philips and Ray Emery’s own goal against the Ducks… the 2OT game 7 loss to Pittsburg…

The current playoff structure really makes it difficult for Canadian teams to win. In both the pacific and Atlantic divisions if all 6 Canadian teams place in the top 3 seeds of the divisions all but two must be eliminated by the conference finals. In that sense the deck is kinda stacked against Canadian teams.

Crazy it's been 30 years already.

How Shannon comes up with these stats like he does for all the teams, about legendary players, and stats like these, is nothing short of amazing. Give him a great big hand and appreciate everything we are learning.

Great video thanks for all the work you do

What a fantastic breakdown .Ive been a Islanders fan since their inception ,cried when the Leafs beat us in OT of game seven in 78 , walked around in a daze for 12 hours after the Rangers knocked us out in 79 , grabbing another beer in every open deli i passed from midtown to the far end of queens ..every year after we dont make it or am eliminated i root for a Canadian team to win it all now .Their fans passion is unequaled in the sport year after year and now with you tube and channels like this i realize it is even stronger then i imagined .You would be amazed at how many fans i know root for them also ,It is and will always be a positive for the sport when Canada is competitive and wins also ,and it beats the hell out of philly ,boston, new jersey or the freaking rangers winning it ..but seriously ,i hope it comes within the next year or two .I cant see Edmonton not doing it ,but they need to show more heart 5 on 5 and in the tighter games in the final period .one thing i do know is that Canadian fans never give up or will in the future .I tip my cap to them all and to all the content makers also .I learn more each year now then i used to per decade ..thanks ..

By my count per this board elimination counts: 7: Ana, Bos, Chi 6: Dal 5: Buf, Col, Phi, TBL 4: Car, NJD, NYR, Pit, Tor, VGK 3: Cgy, Mtl, SJS, Wsh 2: Det, StL, Van 1: CBJ, Edm, Fla, LAK, Min, NYI, Ott, Wpg

Great work , thank you for all the work you do

Excellent work as always.

I think San Jose, Minnesota and Nashville are decently run organizations they've had competitive teams in the playoffs for a good chunk of the past 30 years, collectively there has been just two finals appearances by those teams and no cups. Vancouver had a window of three years or so, Edmonton and Toronto have a window currently and Ottawa might begin moving into a window. I don't believe in curses a lot of very good teams just never end up winning a cup.

Mid 70s to 93 had Canadiens, Oilers, Flames, and Canadiens to end a spectacular 20 years. Hmm, no Leafs.

WOW! That's a lot of work. Shannon, you spoil me. Thank you

Thx, Shannon

Very nice detailed review ❤

Well said

I’m so sick of Canadians saying the league hates Canada, and that it’s Bettman’s fault they haven’t won a cup. There’s only 7 teams in Canada. The odds are slim every year, combine this with the fact that most of the teams in Canada are ran like absolute clown shows, it’s really no surprise. Let’s look at this individually. Toronto Maple Leafs: no cups since 1967, ran like a circus up until 2016-17, pay 40 million to 4 guys who ROUTINELY fail to show up when it matters most. Vancouver Canucks: an absolute embarrassment to the sport, have been mismanaged for my entire life. Had a good run when they had 3-5 hall of famers playing for them, but ultimately wasn’t enough to overcome incompetence. Jim Benning and Co. may I say more. Montreal Canadiens: probably the most respectable teams In Canada in terms of pure management, but mostly carried for years by Price, they have always lacked the star power up front to win it all. You won’t win cups when Brendan Gallagher and Max are your best forwards. They cane close, but not enough. Edmonton Oilers: see Canucks, only reason they aren’t the Canucks is because they got lucky with the ping pong balls 4 years out of 6 and even with landing the best player since Gretzky/Mario, they failed to surround that team with quality players. Ken Holland is a Dino who needs to retire. Ottawa senators: lol. May I need to say more. Things look better in the future, but Mel ran an absolute clown and are the most irrelevant team in the county. Flames: never really tore the whole thing down and built back up. Failed to capitalize on the good teams in the 2000s, they never seem to be a true contender after 04 Jets: this is probably more on the players and coaches than actual management. They’re a good team on paper despite lacking a true super star forward or #1 dman, they are a good overall team, unfortunately the locker room at least from the outside looks like a complete toxic wasteland, and there’s no true way of fixing this without a true rebuild. They dug themselves out of the grave known as the Atlanta Thrashers, now it’s time to form a true image. You see this isn’t a Gary Bettman issue, it’s an incompetence issue amongst Canadian organizations that happens to happen to most of not all at once in my lifetime. Been watching hockey since about 2008, and I’ve never truly felt that a Canadian team was a true contender outside of the 2010-2012 Canucks and then the modern day Leafs.

Grate work

Like the blasty fit you got together

I was there when the Ducks eliminated the ‘Nucks in 07… Luongo stood on his head and pushed game5 to double OT (even while on the toilet during it)… until he lost focus and tried to get a call on a hit by Rob Niedermayer, while his brother Scott threw it at the net. Crazy game with a crazy ending. The 2011 Canucks just completely laid an egg in front of their home crowd in game 7… it was nearly comical to watch as the Bruins took advantage and dominated them. And the 2012 Presidents Trophy winning Canucks and being predicted as the best team on paper? It was like the Kings didn’t know how to read… their cup run was unreal.

Nice information

Nicely explained

Cursed because of the McSorely penalty.

Nice video! Keep it up!

Hey Montréal , break the curse!😊 Thanks Shannon!

1956-1969 only 1 US team won a SC in a league where Canadian teams were outnumbered2:1. Randomization

Well explained

Wow the detailed stats!

nice information..

Over the course of 6 years, the Oilers picked #1 overall four times. During that same spread, their average top pick was #2.33. Here is a rundown of some other teams over their best 6-year spans. 2.33 Edmonton Oilers (2010 to 2015) 3.17 Quebec Nordiques (1987 to 1992) 3.33 Ottawa Senators (1992 to 1997) 4.67 Buffalo Sabres (2014 to 2019) 5.17 Pittsburgh Penguins (2002 to 2007) 5.33 New Jersey Devils (2017 to 2022) 6.50 Chicago Blackhawks (2003 to 2008) 7.17 Florida Panthers (2010 to 2015)

@The Hockey Guy The discussion came up today that Leafs players don't really take discounts. In the salary cap era - how many cup winners that had players give team friendly contracts?

Its hard to win a cup when you are working with less money than other teams. Because of higher taxes in Canada vs the US, you need to pay more to free agents so they achieve about the same pay as if they were playing for Florida.

My fav video every year !!!

Road Blocks for Canadian NHL Teams over this time period MTL Playoff Road Blocks: BOS & PHI Other factors: “We’re les Canadiens, 24 Coupe de Stanley, our player history…” Rest of hockey world “yeah… and?”, the Packers of the NHL TOR Playoff Road Blocks: “Your team *STILL* can’t get past the *FIRST ROUND!*”, BOS (Leafs fans triggered by their goal horn) Other factors: Dallas Cowboys of the NHL (last Cup final was 1967, Cowboys 1995), Harold Ballard VAN Playoff Road Blocks: launchpad for CO’s first 2 Cups, Game 7 Other factors: Ownership, how they treated Bruce Boudreau CGY Playoff Road Blocks: any team from CA, Game 7 Other factors: little brother complex in relation to EDM, 6th largest market in Canada EDM Playoff Road Blocks: DAL Other factors: San Francisco 49ers of the NHL (great in the 1980s w/a generational talent, win a title sometime after their generational is traded to another team) OTT: Playoff Road Blocks: Game 7, TOR+BUF, and “You get eliminated by the whatdayaknow *THE F***IN PENGUINS!*” Other factors: Eugene Melnyk WPG Playoff Road Blocks: Opening Round Other factors: Smallest market w/NHL team in Canada (#8)

I still have my original KOHO Blasty jersey from around '04-'05 I don't look at it very often....

"There's always next year" -Canada

I love that “the hockey guy” has a framed picture of Bettman. LOL.

I wasn't even born last time Canada raised the Cup. Since then, Canadian teams have won the World Series, MLS Cup, and NBA Finals. The best chance of course is Edmonton. Just gotta play a bit harder with their great players.

At this point with Ottawa I just want them to get a good owner that let's the team make decisions and that they make the playoffs.

This video was very thorough on the micro view of wins and losses in the playoffs from year-to-year, but I was expecting it would be focused on the macro, which you only gave a nod to in the end. My first thought is money, and the strength of the U.S. dollar vs. Canada, etc. I thought this was going to be a similar conversation as the Quebec Nordiques. You move them to Denver, put more money in the team, and voila, you have a Stanley Cup contender or at least a great team that first year! And the Avs have continued to do well! So yeah, based on what you said about the Nordiques, and Vegas and Seattle, I’m surprised that the huge influx of money into hockey wasn’t a larger part of this conversation!

Good chart to explain

The pressure is a major factor, The Flames and Oilers came oh so close when the fanbases were just happy to be there when round 1 started.

I do find it interesting that when you go back and look at the great Canadian teams over these 30 years, these teams really have no issue getting great offensive talent but you need a stacked d core to win it all and thats the thing almost all the teams struggle to get

Clutch!!! A framed photo of Bettman in your house.

“However, they’ve also been bad” had me dying

Rejean Houle trading Patrick Roy. The presence of the Media in that city is really intense. As with Quebec players wary of playing there, more Criticism will be thrown at them. Montembeault and Harvey-Pinard are the only hope for now. I remember Shannon said that he made peace of players moving South of the border to play Hockey, same goes for me. No matter what Montreal does, I will keep on watching them even if they play poorly or if Players stated that they don't want to play there, heard that Petry talked negatively about his experience there. One question, I'm really curious is that what if Savard and Demers were not fired, would they win the league again at the time? Who knows. But it is what is.

Wow! This was interesting video, I had no idea Canada has a drought this bad!

Not lost on me is Shannon wearing a flames jersey in our BC heatwave

Having grown up with the Whalers, Patriots, and Red Sox of the 80s and 90s expecting to see defeat snatched from the jaws of victory is basically hardwired into me and no amount of championships will ever change that. I should probably just commit to the Canucks and be done with it.

My hand cramped up just by looking at that board

Leafs and Oilers are the ones that are close at the moment. Habs are the ones I feel will build the best contender in a few years from now, and the ones who will pick up as the frontrunners, should the cup elude the Oilers and the Leafs.

As a 27 year old it blows my mind that it's never happened in my life time.

Best hockey videos

Can you do one with cup winners I enjoyed this video it be cool to see with the champion teams. Thanks

No hockey for 2 days man they gotta fix their scheduling. First a 10pm elimination game featuring the top player in the league and now this.

I don’t know how someone can look at all the work you’ve done and their one takeaway is that you made one or two errors. Wow, just…wow.

You are so pragmatic about hockey it is so refreshing

Phenomenal.

2008 Habs lost to Philly in the 2nd round I figured something seemed off because Philly wasn't in the SC in 08 haha

The closest team I think right now is Edmonton. But I think that window is going to close in another 3 to 5 years. Although inconsistent until now, their lineup offensively is stacked.

Nice video

The Jets got swept in 2015 by the Ducks, I remember watching those games. It was a very hard sweep for Anaheim to pull off. Penalties and inferior goaltending would prove to be Winnipeg's downfall.

no more hockey for me for the year could care less who wins at this point.... maybe next year will be better :/

Cool discription

Very perfect

7:56 Habs fans like to remember "the curse of Roy departing" but fail to remember what precipitated it and that fans largely supported it at the time: the dismissal of Jacques Demers as coach and Serge Savard as GM. It was understandable on the surface: the team had started the season 0-5 and missed the playoffs the year prior. This ignored the small sample sizes (1994-95 was a strike-shortened season and 94% of the 1995-96 season was left. I maintain that not at least giving the Savard/Demers regime the benefit of the doubt to turn 1995-96 around was the true turning point for the worst for the franchise. 8:32 / 9:40 If the 2011 Canucks had the 1994 Canucks heart, or the 1994 Canucks had the 2011 talent, Vancouver would have its Stanley Cup banner right now. The 2011 Finals was the best chance to bring the Cup to a Canadian city since 1993 IMO: The Canucks were favoured, it'd been a complete homer series that point (it's highly rare for the home team to win every game but Game 7) and from the moment the puck was dropped that night, the Canucks soiled their drawers in front of an international audience.

Superb

How many teams have never had the opportunity to draft #1 and at least have the chance to select a possible franchise altering player?

Very nice

Coincidentally that was Bettman's first year as commissioner.

I always wonder how much time he takes to write out all that info on his whiteboards.

Saku Koivu's eye from Brind'amour high stick non-call.

Which team would with the cup if Bettman didn't meddle? Atlanta.

Wonderful ❤❤

I know you're the hockey guy,but a framed picture of Bettman? I thought you'd have his picture crazy glued to a dart board.

How come athletes in other sports can play in big markets teams and brush off the pressure, compared to hockey players?! Look at soccer/nfl/nba etc.

Wow amazing

Nice game

We only have 1 team in both MLB and NBA yet both have won a championship since during this time

It's the McSorley curse.

It's gonna be the Sens. Book it.

It's now moving on to 31 years of the drought for Canada & Lord Stanley!

To add the relocated teams Winnipeg 93/94 25th 94/95 21st 95/96 Lost Conference Quarterfinals to Detroit Quebec 93/94 19th 94/95 2nd Lost Eastern Conference Quarterfinals to NYR 95/96 Stanley Cup Champion....oh wait they moved Thanks Canadian Dollar. I mean Gary it's all Gary's fault

Amazing

I remember back in 93 Montreal had never gone over 8 years without a cup win. Fast forward to 2021 and even I was pulling for them. But truthfully there's 7 teams from 30 overall and none have been particularly dominant since the 80's Oilers. Eventually it will end but whoever does it will have a heck of a job. 🤔