We’re inching closer and closer to crowning 2021’s Stanley Cup champions and there are plenty of interesting contending players remaining. Some old, some young, some who have won a Cup already, some who haven’t. Of the four remaining teams, there are a number of veterans that hockey fans would love to see lift hockey’s greatest trophy for the first time and I figured I’d rank my top 5 in order. There’s one player with a ring already on the list, but I’ll explain why I included him below.

Without further ado!

 

5. MARK STONE

Mark Stone is just 29 but man, is he ever fun to watch. The fact he’s from Winnipeg is enough for me to cheer him on in the first place, but the guy plays with his heart on his sleeve night in and night out and you just want to see someone like him succeed. He deserves it!!!! This would just be another incredible chapter in the 2010 fifth round pick’s story… go get it, Mark.

 

4. STEVEN STAMKOS

Stammer won a ring last year but you just know not being out there with his teammates as they clinched last year's win against the Stars ate him up inside. The Lightning captain has been on a tear with five goals and eight assists through 12 postseason games and is looking to make TBay the first team to repeat since Crosby’s 2016 + 2017 Penguins. Time will tell if he can get it done.

 

3. MARC-ANDRE FLEURY

Yes, The Flower has three Stanley Cups to his name already but he was only the starter in one of the runs and that came in 2009. Fleury has been one of the stories of the entire 2020-21 season as he managed to earn a Vezina Trophy nomination at the cool age of 36. What a cherry on top it would be if he could lead Vegas to its first title. He’s also just a great dude so there’s a little more incentive if you needed any.

 

2. SHEA WEBER

Can you believe that Weber is playing in the first third round series of his career? Many hockey fans lit general manager Marc Bergevin on fire online for trading a potential franchise player in P.K. Subban for the veteran defenceman but at this point, it’s safe to say the deal has worked out pretty well for the Habs. The 35-year-old has 1,038 regular season games under his belt and is due for that ring.

 

If it’s going to happen though, a certain teammate is going to have something to say about it…

 

1 . CAREY PRICE

How can you not be cheering for Price to get his first right now? The Vancouver native has both Hart and Vezina awards to his name, along with an Olympic gold medal. All that’s missing? A Stanley Cup. The door has never appeared to be more open in his career than it is right now… he’s going to have to stand on his head if Montreal hopes to beat Vegas. Will he do it? Don’t put anything past this dude!

Sorry Isles fans, great squad but there just aren’t any players on your team that I’d like to see win more than these fellas. What are your thoughts on the list?