The ultimate goal of every NHLer is to win the Stanley Cup. It’s an objective most professional hockey players never achieve, which makes that first sip from the Holy Grail all the more satisfying.
While entirely subjective, most fans perceive the Stanley Cup as the most challenging trophy to win in professional sports. Those among the favourites to win the Stanley Cup dream of having their names etched on one of sport’s most acclaimed trophies.
The gruelling nature of the season and playoffs is one of the main reasons the list of NHLers who have never won a Cup is so extensive.
Let’s look at the best players with the most storied careers who never lifted the Stanley Cup aloft.
Best Players Never To Win a Stanley Cup
| Player | Games | Number of Teams | Stanley Cup Final Appearance |
| Patrick Marleau | 1,779 | 3 | Yes |
| Joe Thornton | 1,714 | 4 | Yes |
| Jarome Iginla | 1,554 | 5 | Yes |
| Shane Doan | 1,540 | 2 | No |
| Phil Housley | 1,495 | 8 | Yes |
| Mike Gartner | 1,432 | 5 | No |
| Scott Mellanby | 1,431 | 5 | Yes |
| Luke Richardson | 1,417 | 7 | Yes |
| Harry Howell | 1,411 | 4 | No |
| Norm Ullman | 1,410 | 2 | Yes |
| Jeremy Roenick | 1,363 | 5 | Yes |
| Marcel Dionne | 1,348 | 3 | No |
| Mats Sundin | 1,346 | 3 | No |
| Adam Oates | 1,337 | 7 | Yes |
| Henrik Sedin | 1,330 | 1 | Yes |
| Daniel Sedin | 1,306 | 1 | Yes |
| Keith Tkachuk | 1,201 | 4 | No |
| Dale Hawerchuk | 1,188 | 4 | Yes |
| Brad Park | 1,113 | 3 | Yes |
| Darryl Sittler | 1,096 | 3 | No |
| Paul Kariya | 989 | 4 | Yes |
| Peter Stastny | 977 | 3 | No |
| Henrik Lundqvist | 887 | 1 | Yes |
| Eric Lindros | 760 | 4 | Yes |
| Cam Neely | 726 | 2 | Yes |
| Pavel Bure | 702 | 3 | Yes |
Who Is the Best NHL Player Never To Win the Stanley Cup?
Joe Thornton is the best player never to win a Stanley Cup. While the list of possibilities is considerable, Thornton racked up 1,539 points (430 goals and 1,109 assists) in 1,714 games for four teams.
He played over seven seasons with the Boston Bruins and 15 with the San Jose Sharks before making brief stops in Toronto and Florida to culminate his storied career. Thornton won the Art Ross Trophy and the Hart Trophy in 2005-06 and led the Sharks to the Stanley Cup Final in 2016.
The Sharks were among the NHL odds favourites to win it all for most of Thornton’s tenure in San Jose.
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