Anonymous NHL coaches tell their true thoughts on the Edmonton Oilers before Cup Final
Photo credit: USA Today Sports
NHL insider Pierre LeBrun polled 22 anonymous coaches and 18 executives for their predictions on the Stanley Cup Final, and the slimmest majority has picked the Edmonton Oilers to win it all.
Top NHL analysts at Sportlogiq also have predicted Ted the Oilers to win by the slightest of margins, a Game 7 win over the Panthers for the Cup. Now, it's less than 24 hours away from starting.
Anonymous NHL coaches and Executives reveal predictions for Stanley Cup Final
According to LeBrun's poll, the Coahes were dead even on picking the Oilers and Panthers, but the executives slightly tilted to Edmonton. Last year, the majority polled selected the Panthers to win the Cup.
One year later, nothing one-sided here. The coaches were 11-11, and the team execs went 10-8 for Edmonton, swinging on that one last head-versus-heart pick. So a very close poll ended up 21-19 for the Oilers to win Canada's first Stanley Cup since 1993.
- Pierre LeBrun
- Pierre LeBrun
Most responses justifying an answer for either team were relatively similar. Those picking Florida referenced their advantage in goaltending with Sergei Bobrovsky, their championship pedigree, depth, and physicality.
On the side of the Edmonton Oilers though, plenty of figures relayed that they were the best team of this season - and McDavid is on a mission that is simply undeniable.
COACH 19: I have Edmonton in seven. Why? It's 97's time. The depth has performed better, and the team is feeling it. They're less reliant on Hyman, even though he's a huge loss.
COACH 16: I believe it's Edmonton's time. Just seems like they've kept getting better as the playoffs have gone on. Home-ice advantage as well. Edmonton in six.
COACH 8: Edmonton, because of the two animals on a mission. I took them to win the Cup this year as soon as they lost last year.
Losing is a great teacher.
COACH 16: I believe it's Edmonton's time. Just seems like they've kept getting better as the playoffs have gone on. Home-ice advantage as well. Edmonton in six.
COACH 8: Edmonton, because of the two animals on a mission. I took them to win the Cup this year as soon as they lost last year.
Losing is a great teacher.
Any hockey fan watching the Edmonton Oilers over the last 9 years could've predicted Connor McDavid would probably win a Cup. The greats always do, and this is his time. Firmly in the prime of his career surrounded by the most complete team so far, there's nothing holding the Oilers back from finishing the job this year.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 3 | 710 ANSWERS Anonymous NHL coaches tell their true thoughts on the Edmonton Oilers before Cup Final Do you think the Oilers will win the Cup this year? | ||
| Yes | 667 | 93.9 % |
| No | 43 | 6.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
TRENDING NOW
