Florida Panthers Predicted to Win 2027 Stanley Cup; Dylan Larkin Expected to Remain in Detroit

The Florida Panthers are projected to win the 2027 Stanley Cup following the addition of Brady Tkachuk and a year of recovery for Aleksander Barkov.

The Florida Panthers are predicted to win their third Stanley Cup in four seasons during the 2026-27 campaign. Despite replacing goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky with Jacob Markstrom and trading Evan Rodrigues to the New Jersey Devils, the roster features a top-six forward group and defensive pairings that ESPN reports no other NHL team can match. The lineup is further bolstered by the addition of Brady Tkachuk, who joins a core that recently benefited from extra recovery time after Aleksander Barkov’s preseason knee injury sidelined the team from the previous playoffs.

In Detroit, former captain Dylan Larkin is expected to play the full season for the Red Wings despite a public trade request. Negotiations have stalled as Larkin has not expanded his list of preferred destinations and the team has not lowered its asking price. This development follows the summer departure of general manager Steve Yzerman, though it remains unclear if that change mended Larkin's relationship with the organization.

Across the Atlantic Division, the Buffalo Sabres are expected to be aggressive at the trade deadline under GM Jarmo Kekalainen, who was hired Dec. 15 and led the team to a 36-9-5 finish last year. Potential targets include goaltender Connor Hellebuyck. Conversely, the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators are projected to miss the postseason. Toronto underwent a total overhaul including new GM John Chayka and coach Jim Hiller, but concerns remain regarding the health of Auston Matthews, who has not played since March 12 knee surgery.