16 final thoughts on a Stanley Cup winning season for the Carolina Hurricanes
It takes 16 wins to claim the Stanley Cup and the Carolina Hurricanes did just that.
With that in mind, 16 final thoughts, if you will:
1. The Canes having an “easy path” to the Cup narrative is lame. You play who’s in front of you. The Canes went 16-3 against the four teams in front of them. End of story.
2. Some said Vegas would be the team to stop the Canes when the Cup Final began. They didn’t. They couldn’t.
3. What about a healthy Florida Panthers team? They weren’t healthy this year. They didn’t make it. We’ll see about that next season.
4. Not sure I’ve seen Jordan Staal in better shape and more ready for a season than this one. From day one of training camp to lifting the Cup, he was ready. He had that look.
5. Just a thought: Was Eric Tulsky in on the cinderblock thing? Did the GM do some prep work lifting it?
6. If there was one play that turned the Cup Final, it was goalie Brandon Bussi stopping Mitch Marner’s penalty shot in Game 3. It all began to pivot then. Lost the game, but the series had pivoted.
7. No, not forgetting those three goals in 39 seconds. Happened so suddenly ABC’s Sean McDonough’s voice broke trying to call it. Vegas was beginning to crack, too.
8. How does Logan Stankoven do it? Stand next to him in the locker room and he seems so small. Big heart, though. Big, big heart.
9. The clip of K’Andre Miller and his baby on the bench still can bring a tear to the eye.
10. Another thought: 192,922 people in downtown Raleigh to celebrate a Cup? Hockey market.
11. Jalen Chatfield and Sean Walker were undrafted defensemen. Now, Cup champions. It’s about work and perseverance. And opportunity.
12. Let’s all say it again: Rod Brind’Amour should be in the Hockey Hall of Fame. Who knows, he might soon qualify as a player and a builder.
13. So both Tkachuk brothers will be playing for Florida. Can already see Nic Deslauriers in the Canes lineup. Tulsky always thinks ahead.
14. Sebastian Aho is as classy an athlete as I’ve ever covered, and I’ve covered a lot of them in the last five decades. Winner.
15. Not sure I’ve ever seen a coach connect with his team any better than Rod Brind’Amour.
16. Carolina Hurricanes, 2026 Stanley Cup champions. As Brind’Amour said before the Cup Final, “You’ve got to stamp it home and then it stays with you for life.” They stamped it home.
This story was originally published June 24, 2026 at 11:56 AM with the headline "16 final thoughts on a Stanley Cup winning season for the Carolina Hurricanes."
