How Stanley Cup finalists were built: Breakdown of...
Key takeaways
- Roster construction is a year-round process that really comes under the spotlight during the Stanley Cup Final.
- The Carolina Hurricanes and Vegas Golden Knights have reached the 2026 Cup Final by establishing and following certain philosophies.
- Carolina made eight straight playoff appearances while reaching the Eastern Conference finals four times in that span, including three of the past four.
Why this matters: a sports story that could shift standings, legacies, or fan conversations.
Roster construction is a year-round process that really comes under the spotlight during the Stanley Cup Final. That's mainly because it provides an opportunity for the rest of the hockey world to see what the two teams that outlasted the other 14 did on their path to reaching the final series.
The Carolina Hurricanes and Vegas Golden Knights have reached the 2026 Cup Final by establishing and following certain philosophies. The Canes use every possible avenue to improve their team, while the Golden Knights have adopted an aggressive, win-at-all-costs approach that has come to define their franchise.
Carolina made eight straight playoff appearances while reaching the Eastern Conference finals four times in that span, including three of the past four. The Hurricanes have had two general managers in that time: Don Waddell and Eric Tulsky. Waddell, now the president of hockey operations and GM of the Columbus Blue Jackets, left Carolina in May 2024. Tulsky, who was an assistant GM, was promoted to become the architect who has guided the Hurricanes to their third Cup Final in franchise history.