Next "Ended Drought" in Pro Sports

[IrishCanadian25]

Hearing last night that the Chicago Blackhawks ended the "longest Stanley Cup draught since the NY Rangers" was music to my ears, partially because I hate the Rangers, and also because I like the Blackhawks. Chicago is a great city with great fans, and for ages, it looked like they'd never win the cup again.

But here we are.

A lot of tortured teams won titles over the last 10 years. The Red Sox. The White Sox. The Saints. (remember the 'Aints?) So it begs the question - who's next?

In this thread, I am asking everyone which sports team will be the next to break their championship-less draught, and why. For our purposes, a "draught" is 40+ years without a title.

NHL

Toronto Maple Leafs - last Stanley Cup in 1967
Los Angeles Kings - never won in 43 years
St. Louis Blues - never won in 43 years
Buffalo Sabres - never won in 43 years
Vancouver Canucks - never won in 40 years

Major League Baseball

Chicago Cubs - last World Series title in 1908
Cleveland Indians - last World Series title in 1948
San Franciso Giants - never won World Series since 1958 inception (thanks dude!)

NFL

Detroit Lions - last NFL title in 1957 (never won Super Bowl)
Philadelphia Eagles - last NFL title in 1960 (never won Super Bowl)
San Diego Chargers - last NFL title in 1963 (never won Super Bowl)
Buffalo Bills - last NFL title in 1965 (never won Super Bowl)
Minnestoa Vikings - last NFL title in 1969 (never won Super Bowl)
Atlanta Falcons - never won title since 1966
Cincinati Bengals - never won title since 1968
New York Jets - last Super Bowl was Super Bowl 3

*NOTE* - I am not considering the Browns because they had a hiatus after moving to Baltimore. Feel free to argue they they will be the next if you're insane.

NBA

Sacramento Kings - last NBA Title in 1951
Atlants Hawks - last NBA Title in 1958
Phoenix Suns - never won title in 41 years

Soccer

Hibernian - last won Scottish Cup in 1902
Newcastle United - last won major title in 1969
England - has not won major title since 1966 FIFA World Cup

Which is the next team to end it's championship draught (40+ years) and WHY!?

 

[People's Champ]

IC you forgot about my SF Giants from the MLB. Since moving to SF in 1958, the Giants have been to 3 World Series and lost. (1962-lost 4-3 to the N.Y Yankees; 1989-lost 4-0 to the A's; 2002- lost 4-3 to the Angels) So in the 52 years being in SF, the Giants have yet to win a World Series.

I would love to pick the Giants because of the awesome pitching staff we have, but unless we gets bats, its not going to happen. I'm going to go with the Vikings. I feel this upcoming season they have a real shot at representing the NFC and winning it. Last year they were a bad interception away from possibly winning it. They return the same team, and in all likelyhood return Farve as well. I think he has one more great season left in him and can lead his team back to the NFC title and beyond. My pick is the Vikings, based off the teams listed above.

 

[Little Jerry Lawler]

Like you, I watch a lot of Mike and Mike in the Morning and I know that is where you got this from IC. Also, like Greenberg and Golic, you left off my San Diego Padres but I'll let it slide

Speaking of the Padres, I think they have a good chance to make the playoffs and go to the World Series this year. We're competing with the Dodgers for the NL West right now but I'll believe they will win. I haven't been too impressed with the Phillies as of late and the Cardinals have been playing well so I'm concerned about that but I still think the Padres have the best chance.

Second will be the Vikings because they were so close last year. I would have chosen them first but I think the NFC North will be stronger. The Packers certainly aren't going away and the Bears will be a least a couple of games better and I don't see the Vikings duplicating what they did last year.

 

[Joe's Gonna Kill You]

I think that the Jets have a very good chance at ending their Super Bowl drought. They have a good chance because 1 they were in the AFC championship and they had the lead going into halftime. This year they have improved the receiving corps by adding a Super Bowl MVP in Santino Holmes. Dustin Keller is also improving so Jets have improved one of the weakest aspects of a team that went to a championship. The Jets also improved what was the best overall defense last year with the additions of Antoino Cromatie who coupled with Revis the Jets have a very good pass defense and also the addition of Jason Talyor could also improve the pass rush and also a healthy Kris Jenkins could help. The Jets running game is also very good with Shonne Grenne who was very impressive last year. With these additions to a team that was only 30 minutes away from a Super Bowl last year is why i believe they have a very good chance at going to the Super Bowl this season and winning it and ending their Super Bowl drought

 

[Minor League Brian]

No Capitals? I know we won the conference in 97/98 but we haven't ever won a Stanley Cup. At least, I don't think so.

Anyway, even as a homer, I'd put my money on them. They've got all the talent needed to win the cup, their problem is maturity. They need to grow up and if and when they can do that, they'll be able to go all the way. This year both the Capitals and Penguin's got taken out by a Goalie on possibly one of the best hot streaks I've ever been able to witness but at the same time both teams were taken out of their game for most of the series.

So yeah, I'm putting up the Capitals as the next to break the streak as I'd be willing to put my money on them going all the way next year.

 

[People's Champ]

No Capitals? I know we won the conference in 97/98 but we haven't ever won a Stanley Cup. At least, I don't think so.

Anyway, even as a homer, I'd put my money on them. They've got all the talent needed to win the cup, their problem is maturity. They need to grow up and if and when they can do that, they'll be able to go all the way. This year both the Capitals and Penguin's got taken out by a Goalie on possibly one of the best hot streaks I've ever been able to witness but at the same time both teams were taken out of their game for most of the series.

So yeah, I'm putting up the Capitals as the next to break the streak as I'd be willing to put my money on them going all the way next year.

The Caps have been around since 74. That's only been 36 years. The OP stated 40+ years is considered a drought so you got to wait 4 more years. But if they had been 40 years, I might be more inclined to pick the Caps. But not yet.

 

[Minor League Brian]

Still, they haven't done it since their inception. Only reason I didn't put all the Washington Franchises up their. The Skins are going on 20, not sure about the Nats, and the Wizards last won it in 78.

 

[hatehabsforever]

Breaking IC's rules here because it hasn't quite been 40 years, but I'll chime in here and say the Boston Bruins.

They made a solid run this year and have now established Rask as an impact goalie. Maybe they can trade Thomas for even more help, he's likely too expensive to be a back-up goaltender.

An otherwise solid team with plenty of good players (Chara, Savard, Bergeron, Lucic, Krejci, and others). Add Taylor Hall (hopefully) or Tyler Seguin into the mix, and the future is bright.

Hopefully a Stanley Cup next year will make this year's collapse a little less painful.

 

[Lee]

Newcastle United - last won major title in 1969

<3

If it's going to be Newcastle United it will be over the next 12 months where they need to go for it. They won't win the league, the last time they did that was 1927 but with two trophies they can go for next season (FA Cup - 1955, League cup - Never), with a year in the lower league all the people who were in it for the money are out of the window, add to that the renewed team spirit and some growing of key players. If it's going to happen it will be the league or FA cup next season, I hope they do do it as I'm sick to death of people taking the piss out of us for it. I mean if Portsmouth and Middlesbrough can win these, surely we can?!


Incidentally Hibs won the league in 1952 and won the league cup as recent as 2007, so you could hardly say they have a drought going back to 1902.

 

[Megatron]

Still, they haven't done it since their inception. Only reason I didn't put all the Washington Franchises up their. The Skins are going on 20, not sure about the Nats, and the Wizards last won it in 78.

Expos/Nationals: Never (Founded in 1969, so they have over 40 years now w/o one)

In the NFL there are 4 teams that have a relatively strong chance to win a championship next season - Minnesota (if Favre is back), Chargers, Jets, and in my opinion, the Bengals. If Favre is back and healthy, there is no doubt that the Vikings are the favorites in the NFC, with the Saints also. The Jets also are one of the favorites in the AFC with their great defense, including Revis Island at one of their corners. The Chargers and Bengals could sneak up on those two and win it as well.

In the NBA the Suns are a solid team and would have a better chance to make the finals in the East, but as long as the Lakers continue to have their strong nucleus of Kobe, Gasol, Bynum, and Artest, and with the Thunder continuing to rise as well, I think their chances are rather slim.

The Cubs and Indians need some work done on them if they want a chance within the next 4-5 years, including getting rid of the dead weight and try to get some good young talent. The Giants are a sleeper, but they don't have a threatening bat except for Sandoval. Their pitching with Lincecum, Cain, and Zito is phenominal, but unless they get a bat soon, they won't get anywhere farther then possibly the 1st round.

So, looking at the three leauges, the Vikings or Jets would seem to be the best choice, with me going with Minnesota.

 

[TheAnimal]

I really would love it to be Liverpool winning the title after 20 years, along with England winning the World Cup!

 

[Mitch Henessey]

I am a die hard Miami Dolphins' fan, and it really pains me to say this, but I'm going to have to go with the New York Jets. They had an amazing season last year, and they took everyone by surprise. I believe the Jets could've gave New Orleans a tough fight if they made it to the Super Bowl, and they had the Colts in the AFC championship, but they let that game slip through their hands. The Jets have become better on defense, and I still believe they can be a strong contender in the AFC. The Patriots aren't what they used to be, the Colts can be beaten, and the Chargers usually choke in the playoffs.

I wanted to pick the Minnesota Vikings, but a lot of their success will depend on whether Brett Favre returns, and even if he does, I don't know if they can repeat what they did last year. Also, Adrian Peterson has to learn how to hold on to the football.