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Leon Draisaitl Reveals Biggest Connor McDavid Dream Before Stanley Cup Final

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Jun 4, 2025 6:37 AM ET

The Edmonton Oilers are back in the Stanley Cup Final with a familiar opponent standing in their way. After last year’s Game 7 defeat, they return for a rematch against the Florida Panthers.

Contrary to last season, the Oilers will have home-ice advantage this time with Games 1 and 2 set for Wednesday and Friday at Rogers Place, and a possible Game 7 taking place in Canada too.

The 2025 run has been a dominant one for the Oilers, as Edmonton has lost just four games through three rounds, eliminating the Los Angeles Kings in six, sweeping the Vegas Golden Knights, and closing out the Dallas Stars in five.

Oilers captain Connor McDavid leads the postseason field in scoring with 26 points, while teammate Leon Draisaitl sits right behind him with 25.

"We're excited to get another crack at it."

Leon Draisaitl speaks during Stanley Cup Final Media Day as the #Oilers will look to avenge last year's defeat to the Panthers.@Enterprise | #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/9hpveu7LBC
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) June 3, 2025

Speaking ahead of the series, Draisaitl revealed what a championship would mean to McDavid personally in his second trip to the finals.

"I think it’s everything he’s ever dreamed of," Draisaitl said. "It’s everything that he ever put his work in for, that he grinds for, that he plays through injuries for."

Draisaitl continued by addressing McDavid’s status as the public face of a Canadian franchise, and the broader meaning of winning the championship with the Oilers.

"It means everything to all of us," Draisaitl said. "Obviously, like you said, I don’t know if you want to call it a burden, but being the face of this franchise, of a Canadian franchise—yeah, he wears it and he embraces it. It’s what makes him."

Draisaitl also spoke about the connection between the players and the Edmonton community.

"They’re my best friends, we’ve been through a lot of bad years," Draisaitl said. "Hopefully, we can do it for most importantly for ourselves, but for the people of Edmonton, the fan base, the organization."

The Oilers last won the Stanley Cup in 1990 and there hasn't been a Canadian NHL champion since the Montreal Canadiens won the title in 1993.

Game 1 between the Oilers and the Panthers is scheduled for Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET in Edmonton.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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