A compelling Stanley Cup Final starts on Saturday night. The Edmonton Oilers are attempting to become the first Canadian NHL team to win it all since 1993. The Florida Panthers, founded in 1993, are making their second straight Final appearance but have never hoisted the Stanley Cup.
Both teams have superstar players as Edmonton has Connor McDavid and Florida features Matthew Tkachuk. Both teams have coaches with intriguing backstories: The Oilers’ Kris Knoblauch and the Panthers’ Paul Maurice.
To get up to speed on this championship matchup and the team involved, we caught up with Tony Luftman of NHL Network.
Note: This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.
Awful Announcing: What percentage of Canadians are rooting for Edmonton?
Tony Luftman: “We were just talking about that in a production meeting. 1993 is so long ago, and there’s so much passion up there. I wonder if (Toronto) fans would root for Edmonton and if Calgary fans would root for Edmonton. I don’t know, but I think it’s fascinating because there have been, over the last several days, a lot of questions asked. (Is) all of Canada rooting for them? So, whether it’s true or false, I know this, Edmonton’s going to be going bonkers. When we’re up there, that’s going to be amazing.”
Is there one explanation as to why there’s been such a long drought?
“I don’t think there is one, because it’s all these different factors and variables. It’s very hard to win the Stanley Cup, no matter what. In 2011, the Vancouver Canucks were the Presidents’ Trophy winner, the odds-on favorite. The season was great. The postseason was great, until Game 7 when they got shut out 4-0 by the Bruins (in the Stanley Cup Final). There have been a number of great Canadian teams, and the last time Edmonton was in it, it went to Game 7 against the Hurricanes in (2006). I think it’s a representative example of competitive balance, which the league has so much of.”
How important is it for McDavid, arguably the league’s best player, to finally reach the Final?
“I think it’s a great thing, because—and I’ve said this before—it’s hard to appreciate greatness and a player’s prime when it’s right in front of you. That guy has done so much, so well, handled all the pressure, scrutiny, and tension. At the start of this year, it was a rough beginning. They win three of their first 13 games. Jay Woodcroft gets fired. Connor had to stand up and answer those questions when it was a difficult start. He was classy, poised and composed. I can’t say enough good things about him.”
How is this Florida Panthers team better than last year?
“Paul Maurice said that they addressed the deficiencies they had last year. They brought in three defensemen. And there’s a lot to be said for championship experience. We were talking about it in our production meeting today that in order for the Oilers to get over the hump they lost to the Islanders in ’83. Then Edmonton won four in five years and five Cups in seven years. It takes that kind of experience sometimes for a team to get to the summit. I know that’s the storyline for the Florida Panthers. They took the loss last year, learned from it, and they’re ready to take that next step.”
How much of a difference could a healthier Tkachuk make?
“It’s a huge impact. (Analyst) Tony Granato talked about what happens over the course of the two months (of the playoffs). He was a part of the Kings team that came out on the wrong end of that 1993 series with the Canadiens. It’s my observation in interviewing the Stanley Cup champions, once the game ends, I get to talk with these players, coaches, and executives. My biggest takeaway is, yes, they’re ecstatic and it’s the highlight of their hockey career. But there’s also a level of exhaustion and relief. They’re always tired, and we end up finding out in the days that follow, many of them are injured. It’s true when people say it’s the hardest trophy to win in sports. It’s such a battle of attrition.”
What does it say about Knoblauch that they brought him in midway through the season and he reaches the Final?
“At the start of this hockey season, he was thinking about how he was going to try to get his junior team into the playoffs. Now he’s trying to help the Edmonton Oilers win the Stanley Cup for the first time since 1990. That juxtaposition is incredible to me. He brought about significant change for this team. They were not nearly the defensive team that they are now. He helped them get out of that deep hole, and they played with more confidence. It’s fascinating that a guy can make that much of a difference.”
This is Maurice’s third chance at the Cup. What are your thoughts on him?
“He started his career as a 28-year-old head coach for the Hartford Whalers. All of his pressers after games, and when it’s a practice day or a travel day, I am so impressed with him. I’ve talked with players who play for him, and they praise his ability to communicate. He’s genuinely a humble guy. Both of these coaches are. So, I’m going to be excited for whichever coach is able to take his team to the Cup, it’s nice to see nice people, good people finish first.”
What’s your impression of Florida goalie Sergei Bobrovsky trying to win his first Cup at 35?
“I’ve heard from countless people that he’s the hardest-working guy on every team he’s on. He’s so well-liked. (His teammate) Carter Verhaeghe said he’s kind of on his own program. He was asked, ‘What do you mean by that? He said, ‘He has like a tube, like a pipe, and he walks on that.’ I guess it works on his balance, maybe. But he said, ‘None of us are doing it. But no one questions it because the results are so good for Sergei.’ He’s the only active goalie with two (Vezina Trophies). He’s so well respected. And I think he’s an awesome teammate.”
What is the key matchup in this series?
“Edmonton has been so good on the penalty kill. In two of the three series to get to the Cup Final, they didn’t give up a power-play goal. That’s incredible. It’s funny because the casual observer hears McDavid and (Leon) Draisaitland (Zach) Hyman, all their offensive weapons. It’s easy to recognize that. But I think it’s going to be Edmonton’s ability to draw penalties or Florida’s ability to stay away from penalties. That was an issue for the Panthers during the regular season. They’ve been much more disciplined in the postseason.
“Even strength, I think Florida has the advantage. If you get into special teams, I think Edmonton has the advantage.”
The @FlaPanthers find themselves four wins away from the #StanleyCup for the second consecutive year.
— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) June 2, 2024
Eetu Luostarinen talks about why they're back in this position.@TonyLuftman | @mike_p_johnson | #TimeToHunt pic.twitter.com/GhFqPzJ5Gi
If you could keep the Stanley Cup for a day, what would you do?
“I would bring it to where I grew up and share it with the people from my hometown Los Angeles, with the people I went to school with, the friends I’ve made along the way. It means so much to people. It’s so big. It’s 34.5 pounds, and it’s so shiny. With the Stanley Cup, it’s the hardest trophy to win, and it’s the most beautiful trophy.”
Image Credit: NHL Network
