Edmonton Oilers vs Florida Panthers poll: Choose the best player by position ahead of 2025 Stanley Cup Final

After a grueling, nerve-wracking NHL season, the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers find themselves back on the same spot as one year ago: in the Stanley Cup Final. However, the two sides are going into battle with different mindsets, the Oilers seek revenge and closure, while the Panthers aim to establish a dynasty.

Sixteen teams set out to compete for the ultimate prize in the NHL—Lord Stanley’s Cup—but only two are still standing. The Oilers are led by Connor McDavid, widely regarded as the best player in the league, yet still missing the crown to solidify his reign. Standing in the way of the Oil Kingdom are the Florida Panthers, the last and fiercest resistance on the ice.

Florida, on the other hand, will head into battle under the leadership of Matthew Tkachuk—the face of the franchise—who changed the team’s trajectory upon arrival and hasn’t looked back since. When Tkachuk is on the ice, anything can happen for the Cats—and it’s usually bad news for their opponents.

However, hockey is the ultimate team-sport, and no one player can win the Stanley Cup by itself. On Bolavip we’re giving you the opportunity to compare the Western and Eastern Conference champions by voting the best players in each position.

Goaltender: Stuart Skinner or Sergei Bobrovsky?

Stuart Skinner (left) and Sergei Bobrovsky (right)

Being a goaltender in the NHL is arguably one of the toughest and most pressure-filled jobs in sports—and both Stuart Skinner and Sergei Bobrovsky exemplify what it means to weather the storm and stay composed in the most intense moments.

Skinner is coming off a rollercoaster postseason, mixing stellar performances with puzzling outings, while Bobrovsky has been the top netminder of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, with his remarkable flexibility proving crucial in locking down the crease for the Cats. Yet, both can steal any game for their team, and could easily turn it up a notch during the Final.

Right Defenseman: Evan Bouchard or Aaron Ekblad?

Evan Bouchard (left) and Aaron Ekblad (right)

Bouchard leads all defensemen in the NHL in goals and assists during the Stanley Cup Playoffs with 6 tallies and 11 assists. He’s been virtually unstoppable all season long, and his sole presence gives opponents grueling headaches. Ekblad, on the other hand, is third for most points by defensemen with 11, and his impact for the Panthers is on both ends of the ice, as his physical sacrifice can change momentum on any given moment.

Left Defenseman: Mattias Ekholm or Gustav Forsling?

Mattias Ekholm (left) and Gustav Forlsing (right)

Ekholm has played in just one game so far in the Stanley Cup Playoffs due to an undisclosed injury that sidelined him until the final game of the Western Conference Final. His return is pivotal for the Oilers, as his size and skill combine to form a nearly impenetrable barrier in Edmonton’s defensive zone. Forsling, by contrast, isn’t the biggest blueliner, but he more than compensates with elite instincts and blazing speed. He strips pucks from opponents like candy from a kid—and he shows no mercy while doing it.

Right Wing: Leon Draisaitl or Sam Reinhart?

Leon Draisaitl (left) and Sam Reinhart (right)

Although Draisaitl is naturally a center, his skill set allows him to excel at any position on the ice. The German star is a threat from anywhere, capable of making plays even in the most difficult areas of the rink. Reinhart is also a center by trade, but he’s been playing on the right wing for some time—and with four straight 30-goal seasons, it’s safe to say the transition has worked out just fine.

Center: Connor McDavid or Aleksander Barkov?

Connor McDavid (left) and Aleksander Barkov (right)

McDavid is the most electric player in the NHL, combining blazing speed, elite hockey IQ, and unstoppable hands that can make any defender look foolish. The only knock against the Oilers captain is the absence of a Stanley Cup in his trophy case—but that feels more like a question of when, not if. This year could mark the beginning of his dominance in that regard as well, if he can conquer the Oilers’ sixth championship in franchise history.

Meanwhile, Barkov is widely regarded as the best two-way forward in the NHL, having won his third Frank J. Selke Trophy this season while leading the franchise in Sunrise to a third straight Final appearance. When the Cats need to shut down opponents, putting Barkov on the ice is like adding a third defenseman—one who can also embarrass opposing goaltenders and overpower skaters with his size. You really cannot go wrong with either choice at center.

Left Wing: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins or Matthew Tkachuk?

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (left) and Matthew Tkachuk (right)

Nugent-Hopkins hasn’t been able to replicate his 100-point season from two years ago, but he’s elevated his game in the playoffs, recording 18 points so far this postseason. Tkachuk, meanwhile, is a menace both on and off the ice—and that’s exactly why fans love him. He can throw his weight around with ease, just as effortlessly as he can stickhandle through defenders and crash the net hunting for loose pucks. Whenever he steps on the ice, fireworks follow, and his relentless drive fuels the Cats during their toughest moments.

Head coach: Kris Knoblauch or Paul Maurice?

Kris Knoblauch (left) and Paul Maurice (right)

Knoblauch is only in his second year as an NHL head coach, yet he’s reached the Stanley Cup Final in both seasons. Once might be luck—but twice suggests something special is happening behind the bench in Edmonton.

Maurice, on the other hand, has been a fixture of success in the league for years. He finally broke the hex last season, winning his first Stanley Cup. That was all he ever wanted—just one—but now, with the Panthers on the brink of going back-to-back, he’s focused solely on etching his name on Lord Stanley once again.