NHL’s Best Teams: California vs. Florida
In early 2025, a compelling discussion emerged around the NHL’s best teams since the salary cap was introduced, specifically pitting California against Florida. My colleague Eric Stephens and I posed the intriguing question to readers, concluding with a nearly split survey result. However, following the Florida Panthers’ recent triumph in the Stanley Cup, which added another layer to this debate, it seems like a fitting time to revisit the topic with an eccentric twist given the current quiet news season.
Florida vs. Alberta: A Historical Comparison
A recent question from a listener of the Puck Soup podcast ignited my curiosity: Has Florida’s current hockey performance surpassed the dominance that Alberta showcased in the 1980s? This assessment could be deemed premature, as Florida’s successes have unfolded over a few years only, yet hockey’s unpredictable nature complicates any definitive timeline. Historical nuances also play a role; the Alberta teams slightly miss the cut-off of the 1990 championship due to timing and the Flames’ relocation from Atlanta, meaning only partial records reflect their true legacy.
This comparison serves as a clash between historic Canadian teams and modern Southern franchises, encouraging a light-hearted but analytical discourse. When it comes to championship counts, Florida boasts four championships thus far in this decade: the Tampa Bay Lightning captured back-to-back titles in 2020 and 2021, while the Panthers secured championships in 2024 and 2025. Meanwhile, Alberta’s teams—the Oilers and Flames—accrued a total of five titles throughout the 1980s (four by the Oilers in ’84, ’85, ’87, ’88, and one by the Flames in ’89).
Evaluating Success: Championships and Playoff Performance
Despite Alberta leading with one more championship, Florida’s recent success shows a commendable rate of achievement, with another title potentially on the horizon within the next four seasons. However, a thorough evaluation requires more than just counting championships; we must also consider the years that ended without a victory.
Florida’s case strengthens with two additional Cup Final appearances—the Lightning in 2022 and the Panthers in 2023—making the state a consistent presence in championship games throughout the decade, alongside its twelve playoff series wins since 2020. In contrast, the Alberta teams also experienced a couple of Final losses but accumulated a total of 32 playoff series wins—a figure that notably sets them apart.
Regular Season Performance and Legacy
For the regular season points, the Lightning had a record-breaking season in 2018-19, but respective performance in the 2020s showed them not securing first place, peaking at 110 points in 2022. The Panthers claimed a Presidents’ Trophy with 122 points the same year, yet they too are still searching for greater consistency during the regular season, suggesting the modern game focuses more on playoff readiness than dominating regular seasons.
Legacy-wise, Florida’s player roster is formidable with stars like Nikita Kucherov and Steven Stamkos, yet they can’t quite rival the impact of Alberta’s legendary figures such as Wayne Gretzky, whose mere presence reshaped the game. The state of core defensemen also reflects a significant edge with names like Victor Hedman and Aaron Ekblad for Florida while Alberta boasts iconic talent such as Paul Coffey and Al MacInnis.
Goaltending and Coaching Comparisons
The goaltending duel favors Florida, showcasing Hall of Famers Andrei Vasilevskiy and Sergei Bobrovsky, compared to the 80s duo of Grant Fuhr and Mike Vernon. Vasilevskiy’s presence enhances Florida’s claim amidst a close contest here but the coaching comparisons lean toward a tight finish between both eras.
General managers also play significant roles, with Florida’s Bill Zito and Tampa’s Julien BriseBois proving successful in navigating the modern challenges of the NHL, contrasted against Alberta’s iconic leadership from Glen Sather and Cliff Fletcher who thrived in their era.
Emotional Rivalry and Conclusion
In terms of the emotional narrative of rivalry, Florida has made a mark, particularly through the Panthers’ two championship series victories over Edmonton, whereas Alberta faced no such fate against Florida teams. Ultimately, while Alberta’s dominance was unmatched in a less competitive era, Florida’s accomplishments in a tighter league reflect a significant achievement in their own right, leading to an ongoing debate about which state has truly defined excellence in the NHL. This conversation remains a compelling landscape to explore as it touches upon history, legacy, and the current vibrancy of hockey regions across North America.
