With another Sun Belt Stanley Cup Final, why are Canada’s NHL teams getting left behind?

Canada's NHL teams have now gone 33 years without a Stanley Cup championship, a drought that was extended after the Montreal Canadiens were eliminated by the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Final. This marks a stark contrast to the era before 1993, when Canadian franchises won 35 championships in 50 years across Montreal, Toronto, Edmonton, and Calgary. Analysts point to a significant southward talent drain as a key factor in why U.S. Sun Belt markets continue to dominate recent playoff runs.