The pinnacle of the sport is upon us. The Stanley Cup Final has started with Game 1 going to the Edmonton Oilers over the Florida Panthers in a rematch that has begun a new rivalry for the NHL.
The Panthers took home Lord Stanley's Cup last June, and they did it with Nick Cousins in tow. A useful bottom-of-the-lineup player, Cousins' name is forever etched in hockey history.
This year, three more former Predators have a shot at joining Cousins on the Cup and finding the ultimate joy in lifting sports' greatest trophy over their heads. Here are the three players who are just four wins away from living forever on the Cup.
Mattias Ekholm - Edmonton Oilers
The former fan favorite, Ekholm, is looking to close out his 2nd full season with Edmonton by winning the Stanley Cup. Edmonton acquired him exactly for this purpose. Ekholm with his size is built for a long playoff run and has some offensive chops as well.
Now, Ekholm's been dealing with injuries, so he doesn't have an impressive playoff resume this year. He only suited up for one game, the last one that the Oilers played against the Dallas Stars. They clinched a trip to the Cup Finals, he notched an assist, and took a penalty.
Seth Jones - Florida Panthers
Originally breaking in with the Predators in the 2013-14 season, Jones only had two and a half Predators seasons under his belt before he was flipped for Ryan Johansen. Jones has made an All-Star team and been a regular Top 4 defender since, often being deployed as one of the minute leaders on a team, along with being a power-play member. Johansen is out of the league.
Jones has been able to age his game, though, which is why he's still playing and was a valuable trade chip this year. Acquired by the Panthers, he's been a wagon for them these playoffs. Over his 17-game stretch, he's scored 3 goals and added 4 helpers, and is playing 25 minutes a night. He's also added 38 hits and blocked 24 shots. He cost the Panthers Spencer Knight and a conditional 2026 first-round pick, but he's signed through the 2029-2030 season.
They paid a hefty price, but if the Florida Panthers repeat, it'll have been well worth it.
Viktor Arvidsson - Edmonton Oilers
With the Predators, Arvidsson was a high-volume scorer, but he's now more of a role player with Edmonton. His decline started with the Predators, and he was subsequently shipped off to the Los Angeles Kings for draft picks. Unfortunately, it was the scenery that needed changing, and Arvidsson had two of his better seasons. He then signed a two-year deal with Edmonton, worth $4 million per season.
His Edmonton run has been injury-plagued and less than memorable. In the playoffs, he's made it into 11 games, with a goal and four assists. We'll see if he plays in the Finals, but he could be moments away from hockey's greatest glory before becoming a free agent.
All three of these vets are deserving of a win. Who are you rooting for?