The Connor McDavid free agency question that hangs over the Oilers' Stanley Cup run
This isn't quite the Canadiens attempting to save the hockey world from the marauding two-time defending Cup champion Flyers nearly five decades ago in the 1976 Final, but it kind of a fits the narrative.
Because here is the posse from Edmonton, led by the luminous Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, matched up against the varmints from Florida who have stayed one step ahead of the law since capturing the chalice a year ago.
The Panthers transformed themselves into carnivores after being chosen by Matthew Tkachuk. They have embraced their villainy and protected status in the Department of Player Safety's favored nation treaty, under which 'head shots' are defined as 'accidental contact.'
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4 Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) reacts after scoring a goal against the Dallas Stars during the second period in game five of the Western Conference Final of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
See, it's right there in the section about Sam Bennett that was apparently authored by Chris Pronger when he was moonlighting for the league while getting paid by the Flyers.
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