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The NHL's Presidents' trophy is awarded annually to the National Hockey League team that finishes the regular season with the best overall record.
It's a coveted honor that recognizes a team's hard work and dedication throughout the season. However, winning the Presidents' Trophy doesn't always lead to success in the playoffs, as history has shown.
The Presidents' Trophy curse refers to the team that wins the award only to underperform in the playoffs. Since the trophy's inception in 1985, only eight teams have gone on to win the Stanley Cup after winning the Presidents' Trophy. Conversely, several teams have been eliminated in the first round of the playoffs after winning the trophy.
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Last team to beat NHL's "Presidents' Trophy Curse"
The first team to fall victim to the Presidents' Trophy curse was the 1986 Edmonton Oilers.
Led by legendary players like Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier and Paul Coffey, the Oilers were dominant in the regular season, winning the trophy by 17 points. However, they were upset by the Calgary Flames in the first round of the playoffs.
In 1991, the Chicago Blackhawks won the Presidents' Trophy but were swept in the first round by the Minnesota North Stars. The 1993 Pittsburgh Penguins, led by Mario Lemieux, lost in the second round after winning the trophy. The 1995 Detroit Red Wings suffered the same fate, losing in the second round to the San Jose Sharks.
The 2000 St. Louis Blues, 2006 Detroit Red Wings and 2009 San Jose Sharks all suffered first-round eliminations after winning the trophy. The 2010 Washington Capitals, led by Alexander Ovechkin, were heavily favored to win the Stanley Cup but were eliminated in the first round by the eighth-seeded Montreal Canadiens.
The most recent team to suffer the Presidents' Trophy curse was the 2022 Florida Panthers last season. The Florida Panthers lost in the second round to their hated rivals, Tampa Bay Lightning, in a four-game sweep. The last team to win both the Presidents’ Trophy and the Stanley Cup was the 2013 Chicago Blackhawks.
So why do so many Presidents' Trophy winners struggle in the playoffs? One theory is that teams that win the trophy have already achieved their primary goal and may not be as motivated to perform at their best in the playoffs. Additionally, winning the trophy often means a team has played more games and faced tougher competition, leading to fatigue and injuries.
The Boston Bruins have had a commanding lead on the Presidents’ Trophy race since early December and could break the NHL’s all-time wins record.
In conclusion, winning the Presidents' Trophy is a remarkable achievement, but it's not a guarantee of playoff success in the NHL. As history has shown, the curse can strike at any time, and teams must remain focused and motivated if they hope to lift the NHL Stanley Cup.
