Super 16: Kucherov, Dahlin among ideal grand marshals to lead Cup parade

Patrick Maroon won the Stanley Cup three times in consecutive years, including with his hometown St. Louis Blues in 2019, so obviously he has some parade experience.

It could come in handy Saturday when Maroon, a retired NHL forward, will be the grand marshal of the Gasparilla Pirate Fest, an annual event in Tampa, Florida, that this year connects with the 2026 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series featuring the Tampa Bay Lightning and Boston Bruins at Raymond James Stadium, home of the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday (6:30 p.m. ET; ESPN, SN, TVAS).

Maroon's gigantic and fun personality fits perfectly for the massive weekend coming up in Tampa, but it also got us thinking about who else is grand marshal-worthy in the NHL.

We've got some answers in this edition of the Super 16.

If we figure one of the 16 teams ranked this week will win the Stanley Cup this year and therefore have a championship parade, who could lead that parade? Who is in the first float?

It doesn't have to be the captain or the best player, though that person certainly would be near the front of the parade. We're talking about someone like Maroon: exuberant, energetic, hilarious, fun. He'll showcase that Saturday in Tampa like he did in his three Cup parades. The grand marshal would have to be deserving too, with a back story to match the personality.

Who would it be?

Let's dive in and figure out, but first, as always, to come up with the Super 16, the 15 voters put together their own version of what they think the rankings should look like and a point total was assigned to each, with the team selected first given 16 points, second 15, third 14, and so on.

In honor of Maroon, here is the grand marshal edition of the Super 16:

1. Colorado Avalanche (35-7-9)

Total points: 236
Last week: No. 1
Grand marshal: Brent Burns

"Is there any doubt who Colorado's grand marshal would be? Sure, the parade would be in June, but I could picture Burns, massive playoff beard and all, leading some sort of snow-themed parade through downtown Denver. Maybe a bobsled, snowmobile or even a luge, but whatever party the Mile High City decides to have, the defenseman will be leading the way." -- Bill Price, Editor-in-Chief

2. Tampa Bay Lightning (33-14-4)

Total points: 228
Last week: No. 2
Grand marshal: Nikita Kucherov

"The Lightning may win the Stanley Cup with the way they are playing. They are an absolute wagon and doing it without some of their best players on board at the moment. Victor Hedman, Brayden Point and Ryan McDonagh are injured. What do the Lightning look like when they win a championship? We know that from their back-to-back Cup wins from earlier this decade. And because of that, there is nobody better than Kucherov to lead the parade. He'll be hat-backward, shirtless, chugging beers and pumping the tires of his teammates. It is -- and will be again -- No. 1 … entertainment." – Shawn P. Roarke, senior director of editorial

3. Carolina Hurricanes (32-15-5)

Total points: 204
Last week: No. 3
Grand marshal: Jordan Martinook

"Martinook would be a fabulous grand marshal since he's often described by fans and local media as Carolina's "heart and soul," in addition to having the most infectious personality. The 33-year-old forward is in his eighth season with the Hurricanes and respected for his relentless work ethic, grittiness and high energy as an emotional leader. Their alternate captain also has a fan-friendly demeanor that would certainly go a long way in a role as grand marshal." -- Mike G. Morreale, senior draft writer

4. Dallas Stars (30-14-9)

Total points: 181
Last week: No. 4
Grand marshal: Tyler Seguin

"If the Stars had a grand marshal for a Stanley Cup parade, I'd pick Seguin for the honor. I have a few reasons. First, he has a great personality and is a great talker. He'd own the role. Second, he's a longtime member of the team, traded to Dallas by the Boston Bruins on July 4, 2013. Third, he won the Cup with the Bruins in 2011, went to the Stanley Cup Final with them in 2013 and with the Stars in 2020, so he's familiar with the big stage. Finally, he's dealt with some difficult injuries and surgeries in the past few years and his ability to keep coming back has been inspiring. As grand marshals go, he's the total package." -- Tracey Myers, staff writer

5. Minnesota Wild (30-14-10)

Total points: 179
Last week: No. 6
Grand marshal: Marcus Foligno

"When you imagine the Wild rolling through the city in a championship parade, there's no one better suited to be grand marshal than Foligno. He sets the emotional tone in the room, shows up with a big smile and fires up his teammates first. The 34-year-old forward is in his ninth season with Minnesota, loves it there, and is exactly the kind of character who would high-five every kid along the route and tear through the confetti with pure joy. He has spent years as a locker-room glue guy and a physical tone setter on the ice. Foligno's personality, not his stat line, is what every parade needs. Sure, Kirill Kaprizov can light up a crowd and Mats Zuccarello might charm a tent full of fans, but Foligno's blend of grit, humor, and unfiltered enthusiasm makes him the perfect face of celebration. He would look right at home leading the party through St. Paul." -- Paul Strizhevsky, staff writer

6. Detroit Red Wings (32-17-5)

Total points: 174
Last week: No. 5
Grand marshal: Dylan Larkin

"In Detroit, the grand marshal would have to be Larkin. He was born and raised in the Detroit area and has played in the state of Michigan his entire career -- at USA Hockey's National Team Development Program from 2012-14, the University of Michigan in 2014-15, for Grand Rapids of the American Hockey League in the 2015 Calder Cup Playoffs and for the Red Wings since 2015-16. He's the only current Detroit player who has appeared in the Stanley Cup Playoffs with the Red Wings, and that was back when he was a rookie. He's the captain. If the hometown boy makes good after so many down years, he should ride high down Woodward Avenue in a convertible built by a Detroit company." -- Nicholas J. Cotsonika, columnist

7. Buffalo Sabres (30-17-5)

Total points: 152
Last week: No. 10
Grand marshal: Rasmus Dahlin

"There are players on the Sabres who have bigger personalities than Dahlin, but no one would be more deserving of being the grand marshal of a championship parade given what he's been through on and off the ice. The 25-year-old, the No. 1 pick in the 2018 NHL Draft, has never played a Stanley Cup Playoff game. Last summer he and fiancée, Carolina, lost their unborn child as part of a health scare that had her in hospital for weeks before getting a heart transplant. Having gone through all that, can you imagine the unbridled joy Dahlin would have of overseeing a parade celebrating the Stanley Cup. It would be as if the weight of the world had been taken off his shoulders, at least for one day. And when all is said and done, what would be cooler than seeing that?" -- Mike Zeisberger, staff writer

8. Vegas Golden Knights (25-13-14)

Total points: 121
Last week: No. 7
Grand marshal: William Karlsson

"If your nickname is 'Wild Bill,' you might have the right fun-time attitude to head up a big parade. Karlsson, one of the original Vegas "Golden Misfits," certainly left an impression with the last celebration he helped lead, after the Golden Knights won the Stanley Cup in 2023. Anyone object to seeing a replay of that experience? Not me. Parades are time for fun, maybe a bit of good-natured debauchery and a lot of smiles and laughter. Karlsson has shown he understands that assignment." -- Adam Kimleman, deputy managing editor

9. Montreal Canadiens (29-17-7)

Total points: 111
Last week: No. 8
Grand marshal: Martin St. Louis

"St. Louis would be the best grand marshal of a Stanley Cup championship parade in Montreal. The Canadiens coach is a natural leader, someone you want to follow. He grew up as a Canadiens fan. He looked at Mats Naslund as a role model. If St. Louis guides the Canadiens to the Cup, they could build a statue of him. He would be larger than life." -- Jean-Francois Chaumont, LNH.com journalist principal

10. Pittsburgh Penguins (26-14-11)

Total points: 105
Last week: No. 13
Grand marshal: Erik Karlsson

"Karlsson would be perfect for this role. The defenseman has never won the Stanley Cup, so he'd be excited to finally get to lift it in his 17th season and lead the celebration in Pittsburgh. But the biggest reason is he's outgoing enough to go all in and look the part. Who can forget when he and Hedman arrived at the 2018 NHL All-Star Skills in Tampa Bay dressed as pirates? Karlsson and Hedman were celebrating the Gasparilla Pirate Fest taking place in Tampa, which coincided with NHL All-Star Weekend." -- Tom Gulitti, senior writer

11. Boston Bruins (31-20-3)

Total points: 98
Last week: No. 12
Grand marshal: David Pastrnak

"The grand marshal is Pastrnak, hands down. I mean, just imagine the fit. Pastrnak got close enough to the Stanley Cup in 2019 -- losing Game 7 at home to the Blues -- that I can only imagine the explosion of joy that would come at finally winning one. He's already a big personality, a kid who was funny and charismatic even when he arrived with the Bruins at 18 years old, even when his English was rougher and he was faced with a new team in a new country. But as grand marshal of a Cup parade? He's going all out. Hat? Jacket? Bright colors? Stanley Cup silver? Who knows what he'd do, but I, for one, would like to see it." -- Amalie Benjamin, senior writer

12. Edmonton Oilers (27-19-8)

Total points: 72
Last week: No. 11
Grand marshal: Zach Hyman

"Hyman would make the perfect grand marshal of a Stanley Cup championship parade in Edmonton. The Oilers forward is among the most personable players in the NHL and seems to enjoy every day he comes to the arena and tries to make things fun for his teammates. Hyman is appreciative of his time in the NHL and the opportunity he has to play on a line with Connor McDavid on a regular basis. He's considered to be one of the best free agent signings of all time in Edmonton. He had an NHL career-best 54 goals (23 assists, 77 points) in 80 games in 2023-24 and has 21 goals (14 assists, 35 points) in 35 games this season. He was not included on Team Canada's roster for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 but has been asked to be available as an injury replacement. An unexpected trip to Milan would likely only improve his cheerful disposition." -- Derek Van Diest, staff writer

13. New York Islanders (29-19-5)

Total points: 71
Last week: No. 9
Grand marshal: Matthew Schaefer

"I have to go with Schaefer as the Islanders' grand marshal. The amount of enthusiasm the 18-year-old has injected into the franchise on and off the ice since being the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NHL Draft has been invaluable. Schaefer's personality appears to be infectious and his ability to thrive at this level as an 18-year-old is beyond impressive. Schaefer will be the face of the Islanders for years to come." -- Brian Compton, managing editor

14. Utah Mammoth (28-21-4)

Total points: 48
Last week: No. 15
Grand marshal: Clayton Keller

"The Mammoth dressing room is filled with outgoing personalities from defensemen Sean Durzi and Nate Schmidt to forwards Liam O'Brien and Brandon Tanev, but the grand marshal of the parade through the streets of Salt Lake City would be the slightly more reserved Keller. The 27-year-old forward is not only Utah's captain, he's an example of perseverance. Nearly 6 1/2 years ago, before the Mammoth were even a thought in the NHL, Keller bought in to a vision of hope and expectations with the Arizona Coyotes, signing an eight-year contract Sept. 4, 2019. He went through every part of the transition in Arizona and moved with the team to Utah, where the future is now, is bright and he's the centerpiece of it. If the Mammoth can get to the top of the mountain, Keller would be at the front of the parade with general manager Bill Armstrong, coach Andre Tourigny and co-owners Ryan and Ashley Smith. Keller would be the deserved grand marshal, the example of belief and sticktoitiveness in a franchise that now has a lot of both." -- Dan Rosen, senior writer

15. Florida Panthers (28-21-3)

Total points: 26
Last week: No. 16
Grand marshal: Matthew Tkachuk

"Well, we've seen this play out already, haven't we. Twice, in fact. It's Tkachuk. Let's say he was the unofficial grand marshal of the Panthers' two Stanley Cup parades. And he would be again if they can threepeat. Bursting with energy and personality, Tkachuk would be on top of the first float down A1A, the only thing replacing the Stanley Cup in his hands would be a cigar and a beer. Yelling. Screaming. Celebrating. Occasionally with some off-colored language, but all in good fun. But we've seen it twice already. And with this Panthers team, if healthy, we may see it again, Tkachuk having "the best day of his life" for a third time." -- Rosen

16. Anaheim Ducks (28-22-2)

Total points: 19
Last week: Not ranked
Grand marshal: Ryan Strome

"The Ducks have some characters, but Strome would probably be the best leader of any parade. The veteran forward is often smiling and joking with teammates and fans alike. As a matter of fact, last season, on a trip to New York, he and Ducks teammate Radko Gudas posed as employees at the NHL Store NYC. Strome, who used to play for the New York Rangers, had fun teasing the fans, who didn't recognize him. Imagine how much he would enjoy being a grand marshal when he wouldn't have to be incognito." -- David Satriano, staff writer

Dropped out from last week: Toronto Maple Leafs (No. 14)

Others receiving points: San Jose Sharks 15

HERE'S HOW WE RANKED 'EM

AMALIE BENJAMIN

1. Colorado Avalanche; 2. Tampa Bay Lightning; 3. Carolina Hurricanes; 4. Detroit Red Wings; 5. Dallas Stars; 6. Minnesota Wild; 7. Vegas Golden Knights; 8. Buffalo Sabres; 9. Boston Bruins; 10. Montreal Canadiens; 11. New York Islanders; 12. Pittsburgh Penguins; 13. Edmonton Oilers; 14. Utah Mammoth; 15. San Jose Sharks; 16. Florida Panthers

JEAN-FRANCOIS CHAUMONT

1. Colorado Avalanche; 2. Tampa Bay Lightning; 3. Dallas Stars; 4. Carolina Hurricanes; 5. Minnesota Wild; 6. Detroit Red Wings; 7. Buffalo Sabres; 8. Montreal Canadiens; 9. Edmonton Oilers; 10. Vegas Golden Knights; 11. Boston Bruins; 12. Pittsburgh Penguins; 13. Utah Mammoth; 14. New York Islanders; 15. San Jose Sharks; 16. Anaheim Ducks

BRIAN COMPTON

1. Colorado Avalanche; 2. Tampa Bay Lightning; 3. Carolina Hurricanes; 4. Detroit Red Wings; 5. Minnesota Wild; 6. Buffalo Sabres; 7. Dallas Stars; 8. Pittsburgh Penguins; 9. Vegas Golden Knights; 10. Montreal Canadiens; 11. Boston Bruins; 12. New York Islanders; 13. Utah Mammoth; 14. Edmonton Oilers; 15. Florida Panthers; 16. San Jose Sharks

NICHOLAS J. COTSONIKA

1. Colorado Avalanche; 2. Tampa Bay Lightning; 3. Carolina Hurricanes; 4. Dallas Stars; 5. Minnesota Wild; 6. Detroit Red Wings; 7. Buffalo Sabres; 8. Pittsburgh Penguins; 9. Montreal Canadiens; 10. Vegas Golden Knights; 11. Boston Bruins; 12. New York Islanders; 13. Edmonton Oilers; 14. Florida Panthers; 15. Utah Mammoth; 16. San Jose Sharks

TOM GULITTI

1. Colorado Avalanche; 2. Tampa Bay Lightning; 3. Carolina Hurricanes; 4. Dallas Stars; 5. Detroit Red Wings; 6. Minnesota Wild; 7. Buffalo Sabres; 8. Vegas Golden Knights; 9. Montreal Canadiens; 10. Pittsburgh Penguins; 11. Edmonton Oilers; 12. Boston Bruins; 13. New York Islanders; 14. Florida Panthers; 15. Utah Mammoth; 16. San Jose Sharks

ADAM KIMELMAN

1. Colorado Avalanche; 2. Tampa Bay Lightning; 3. Minnesota Wild; 4. Carolina Hurricanes; 5. Vegas Golden Knights; 6. Dallas Stars; 7. Edmonton Oilers; 8. Detroit Red Wings; 9. Buffalo Sabres; 10. New York Islanders; 11. Anaheim Ducks; 12. Montreal Canadiens; 13. Pittsburgh Penguins; 14. Utah Mammoth; 15. San Jose Sharks; 16. Boston Bruins

MIKE G. MORREALE

1. Colorado Avalanche; 2. Tampa Bay Lightning; 3. Carolina Hurricanes; 4. Dallas Stars; 5. Detroit Red Wings; 6. Minnesota Wild; 7. Buffalo Sabres; 8. Boston Bruins; 9. Vegas Golden Knights; 10. New York Islanders; 11. Montreal Canadiens; 12. Utah Mammoth; 13. Pittsburgh Penguins; 14. Florida Panthers; 15. Edmonton Oilers; 16. Anaheim Ducks

TRACEY MYERS

1. Colorado Avalanche; 2. Tampa Bay Lightning; 3. Minnesota Wild; 4. Carolina Hurricanes; 5. Detroit Red Wings; 6. Dallas Stars; 7. Buffalo Sabres; 8. Pittsburgh Penguins; 9. Montreal Canadiens; 10. Vegas Golden Knights; 11. Boston Bruins; 12. New York Islanders; 13. Edmonton Oilers; 14. Utah Mammoth; 15. Anaheim Ducks; 16. San Jose Sharks

BILL PRICE

1. Colorado Avalanche; 2. Tampa Bay Lightning; 3. Carolina Hurricanes; 4. Detroit Red Wings; 5. Dallas Stars; 6. Minnesota Wild; 7. Buffalo Sabres; 8. Pittsburgh Penguins; 9. Vegas Golden Knights; 10. Montreal Canadiens; 11. Boston Bruins; 12. New York Islanders; 13. Florida Panthers; 14. Edmonton Oilers; 15. Utah Mammoth; 16. Anaheim Ducks

SHAWN P. ROARKE

1. Tampa Bay Lightning; 2. Colorado Avalanche; 3. Detroit Red Wings; 4. Carolina Hurricanes; 5. Buffalo Sabres; 6. Minnesota Wild; 7. Vegas Golden Knights; 8. Dallas Stars; 9. Boston Bruins; 10. Edmonton Oilers; 11. Pittsburgh Penguins; 12. Montreal Canadiens; 13. New York Islanders; 14. San Jose Sharks; 15. Utah Mammoth; 16. Anaheim Ducks

DAN ROSEN

1. Tampa Bay Lightning; 2. Colorado Avalanche; 3. Carolina Hurricanes; 4. Detroit Red Wings; 5. Dallas Stars; 6. Buffalo Sabres; 7. Minnesota Wild; 8. Boston Bruins; 9. Pittsburgh Penguins; 10. Montreal Canadiens; 11. Vegas Golden Knights; 12. Utah Mammoth; 13. New York Islanders; 14. Florida Panthers; 15. Edmonton Oilers; 16. Anaheim Ducks

DAVID SATRIANO

1. Tampa Bay Lightning; 2. Carolina Hurricanes; 3. Colorado Avalanche; 4. Detroit Red Wings; 5. Dallas Stars; 6. Minnesota Wild; 7. Buffalo Sabres; 8. Boston Bruins; 9. Pittsburgh Penguins; 10. Montreal Canadiens; 11. New York Islanders; 12. Vegas Golden Knights; 13. Edmonton Oilers; 14. Florida Panthers; 15. Utah Mammoth; 16. Anaheim Ducks

PAUL STRIZHEVSKY

1. Colorado Avalanche; 2. Tampa Bay Lightning; 3. Carolina Hurricanes; 4. Dallas Stars; 5. Minnesota Wild; 6. Buffalo Sabres; 7. Detroit Red Wings; 8. Pittsburgh Penguins; 9. Montreal Canadiens; 10. Vegas Golden Knights; 11. Boston Bruins; 12. New York Islanders; 13. Utah Mammoth; 14. Edmonton Oilers; 15. San Jose Sharks; 16. Anaheim Ducks

DEREK VAN DIEST

1. Colorado Avalanche; 2. Tampa Bay Lightning; 3. Minnesota Wild; 4. Carolina Hurricanes; 5. Dallas Stars; 6. Buffalo Sabres; 7. Detroit Red Wings; 8. Montreal Canadiens; 9. Boston Bruins; 10. Pittsburgh Penguins; 11. Vegas Golden Knights; 12. Edmonton Oilers; 13. New York Islanders; 14. Utah Mammoth; 15. Anaheim Ducks; 16. Florida Panthers

MIKE ZEISBERGER

1. Colorado Avalanche; 2. Tampa Bay Lightning; 3. Dallas Stars; 4. Minnesota Wild; 5. Carolina Hurricanes; 6. Vegas Golden Knights; 7. Montreal Canadiens; 8. Buffalo Sabres; 9. Detroit Red Wings; 10. Edmonton Oilers; 11. Pittsburgh Penguins; 12. Boston Bruins; 13. Utah Mammoth; 14. Florida Panthers; 15. Anaheim Ducks; 16. New York Islanders