Jordan Staal Snagged the Conn Smythe, and the Kraken Better Be Taking Notes

Alright, Seattle, let's talk about what went down in 2026 when the Carolina Hurricanes hoisted the Stanley Cup. Watching another team celebrate like that, especially seeing Jordan Staal get awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy for his absolutely legendary playoff run, makes you think: when is it going to be *our* Kraken's turn? We're in the early days of our season right now, and every single one of our guys, from Matty Beniers to Joey Daccord, needs to be looking at that Hurricanes blueprint.

The Hurricanes' Core Finally Broke Through

The Hurricanes winning the Cup in 2026 wasn't just some fluke, folks. This was a team that had a core rewarded after years of heartbreak. You saw Slavin follow up his Olympic triumph with a Stanley Cup win, which just goes to show what kind of talent they had. Goalie Frederik Andersen was reportedly 'shocked' by the Cup handoff from Staal, a cool moment showing that team chemistry. And let's not forget Brandon Bussi, who capped off a whirlwind season with a shutout in Game 6 of the Final. Taylor Hall, in his 16th NHL season, finally found the right fit and won the Cup too. This wasn't a one-man show, but a whole squad hitting their stride at the perfect moment. That's the kind of synergy we need to see from our Kraken as we watch them battle it out early this year.

Vegas's Pain Is a Lesson for the Emerald City

On the flip side, we saw the Vegas Golden Knights endure a 'roller-coaster season ending 'going to sting'' after that loss. Coach Tortorella was reportedly 'unsure of future with Vegas after Final loss.' That's the brutal reality of the playoffs: one team wins, the other goes home devastated. It reminds us how incredibly hard it is to get to that level, let alone win it all. For our Kraken, with guys like Vince Dunn quarterbacking the defense and Jordan Eberle leading the charge, every game in this early season is about building that resilience, that commitment to excellence. We need that 'all-in' mentality from Jared McCann, Chandler Stephenson, and Berkly Catton if we ever want to see them doing confetti snow angels on the ice. The path is long, and it's full of bumps, but the goal has to be that Cup.

So, as the Kraken continue their early season battles, grinding it out on the ice night after night, let's keep that 2026 Hurricanes team in mind. Their journey, culminating in Staal raising that Conn Smythe, is the ultimate goal. For our Mariners, with Julio Rodriguez and Cal Raleigh crushing dingers, and our Seahawks, with Sam Darnold throwing to Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Rashid Shaheed, it's also all about setting that early tone. We're here for the long haul, Seattle, bleeding green and blue every step of the way. Let's go!

DFS Pick'em

🏆 Underdog Fantasy: Play $5, Get $50 in Bonus Entries

Use code ONTAP to lock in this offer.

👉 Claim your $50 bonus on Underdog Fantasy

Sponsored. Must be 18+. Terms apply.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.