The Stanley Cup is the most coveted trophy in professional ice hockey, awarded annually to the National Hockey League (NHL) playoff champion. Over the years, there have been various instances of teams constructing rosters that mirror the success and structure of Stanley Cup-winning teams, often referred to as “dupes” or duplicates. Here we celebrate the top 11 Stanley Cup dupes, squads that may not have lifted the original trophy but captured its essence through strategic emulation or serendipitous similarity.

1. 1993-1994 Vancouver Canucks – Mirroring the offensive fury of the 1987 Edmonton Oilers, the Canucks, led by Pavel Bure’s electrifying play, powered through to the finals with a high-octane offense.

2. 2002-2003 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim – Much like the 1995 New Jersey Devils’ emphasis on defense and stellar goaltending by Martin Brodeur, the Ducks rode on Jean-Sebastien Giguere’s shoulders all the way to Game 7 of the finals.

3. 2016-2017 Nashville Predators – Emulating the 1994 New York Rangers’ blue-collar work ethic and strong back end, Nashville’s defensemen provided unexpected offensive contributions similar to Brian Leetch’s historic contributions.

4. 1995-1996 Florida Panthers – Like the 1986 Montreal Canadiens who depended heavily on rookie goaltender Patrick Roy’s heroics, Florida’s run was backed by John Vanbiesbrouck’s formidable goal-tending.

5. 2005-2006 Edmonton Oilers – Much akin to their own predecessors from 1990, this Oilers squad was a lower seed that upended high-ranking teams, reaching the finals thanks in part to stalwart defense and team unity.

6. 1998-1999 Buffalo Sabres – Drawing parallels to the 1969-1970 Boston Bruins driven by Bobby Orr’s legendary play, Dominik Hasek led these Sabres as both a defensive stalwart and an essential offensive contributor from behind.

7. 2010-2011 Tampa Bay Lightning – Very much resembling the speedy and skilled Detroit Red Wings of 2002, this Lightning team combined finesse with firepower, aided by Martin St. Louis’s exceptional performance.

8. 2014-2015 Tampa Bay Lightning – With parallels to the star power and depth of offense seen in the 1984 Edmonton Oilers, Steven Stamkos and company demonstrated a blend of speed and skill that nearly took them to glory.

9. 1985-1986 Calgary Flames – Like their Canadian compatriots, Montreal of 1971, Calgary reached deep in their roster for contributions across all lines and pairings in a surprise push that echoed Montreal’s unexpected success years prior.

10. 2003-2004 Calgary Flames – Emulating elements from both aggressiveness and teamwork similar to those exhibited by the Islanders dynasty teams in early ’80s, Jarome Iginla’s Flames were tough competitors who surprised many with their Cup Finals appearance.

11. 2010-2011 Vancouver Canucks – Their focus on precision and control was reminiscent of the highly tactical game played by New Jersey Devils in their Cup-winning years, particularly during their successful run in 2000 driven by an all-encompassing team effort.