By Nevan Oliveira, The Hockey News intern
Excitement builds for a Stanley Cup final rematch between the defending champion Florida Panthers and the Edmonton Oilers.
Fans are eager to see if Florida can be the third NHL team to repeat in the last decade or if Edmonton can finally end Canada’s 32-year Cup drought.
Both teams are stacked with talent, but the edge may go to the one playing with more confidence and urgency. That includes players who returned from injury, underperformed last year or are on their first or potentially last deep playoff run.
Here’s a look at some of those players with something to prove heading into this high-stakes matchup starting June 4.
Brad Marchand, LW, $6.125 million AAV
For the first time in his impressive 16-year career, Brad Marchand is heading to the Stanley Cup final as something other than a Boston Bruin.
Marchand has reached the Cup final three times – winning against Vancouver in 2011, then losing to Chicago in 2013 and St. Louis in 2019. In the 20 games combined from those final appearances, Marchand had seven goals and 12 points.
Marchand got another chance to chase a Cup this year after the falling Bruins moved him to the Panthers in the final moments of NHL trade deadline day – and he’s making the most of it. At 37, this could be his last kick at the can in the Cup final, depending on what happens with his pending UFA status this summer.
Seth Jones, D, $9.5 million AAV
Seth Jones has at last reached the Stanley Cup final in his third month as a Panther.
After a tough stint in Chicago where his performance suffered despite consistent scoring, Jones was traded for Spencer Knight and a conditional 2026 first-round pick, offering a fresh start reminiscent of his more successful Columbus years.
In Florida’s 17-game playoff run, Jones has three goals, seven points and a plus-9 rating alongside Niko Mikkola. Now, with a shot at the Cup, Jones can prove he’s still an elite defenseman at 30.
Evan Rodrigues, C/W, $3 million AAV
Rodrigues has become increasingly noticeable as the playoffs progress, highlighted by a standout series against Carolina, where he tallied one goal and seven of his 11 playoff points in just five games.
In last year’s Stanley Cup final against the Oilers, Rodrigues led the team with four goals and seven points. If Rodrigues can carry that level of confidence and performance against the Oilers once again and deliver a strong showing in another Stanley Cup final, he could significantly boost his next salary when his current contract expires in 2027.
Leon Draisaitl, C, $14 million AAV
As one of the NHL’s most effective players, the only thing missing from Draisaitl’s resume – like Connor McDavid – is a Stanley Cup.
He underperformed in last year’s Cup final, recording just three points and a minus-2 plus-minus, though coach Kris Knoblauch later revealed he was playing through hand and rib injuries.
Now, healthier and hungrier, this rematch against the Panthers provides Draisaitl with another opportunity to prove his dominance and bring the Cup back to Edmonton.
Oilers And Panthers’ Conn Smythe Contenders Ahead Of The Stanley Cup FinalThe NHL’s Stanley Cup final starts Wednesday, and players on the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers are making a strong case for winning the Conn Smythe Trophy.
Stuart Skinner, G, $2.6 million AAV
With Edmonton placing a stronger emphasis on defense down the stretch of these playoffs, Stuart Skinner has shown his capabilities. Since taking over from Calvin Pickard against Vegas, he’s posted a .931 save percentage and a 1.73 goals-against average over eight games, winning six of them.
If Skinner can help lead the Oilers to a Stanley Cup for the first time since the days of Grant Fuhr and Bill Ranford, his reputation will be transformed – and so will his future contract value.
Evander Kane, LW/RW, $5.125 million AAV
Before this post-season, Kane didn’t play since Game 2 against Florida last year. He recovered from two torn hip adductor muscles, two hernias, two torn lower abdominal muscles and a knee injury to play in this year’s playoffs. He’s contributed five goals and 11 points in 15 games so far.
Now, hopefully close to full health, Kane brings a physical edge and scoring touch the Oilers miss without him. If Edmonton deploys him effectively, he can use his snarl to disrupt the Panthers’ rhythm and chip in with gritty, timely goals, which we saw in the clincher against Dallas.
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