"It's argued that Leon merits such an outcome."
Revamped Comment
Leon Draisaitl stood with a stoic mug in the heart of Sunrise Arena as Nico Sturm and the Florida Panthers reveled in their grand Stanley Cup celebration. Once more, the German ice hockey talent was tantalizingly close to victory, and once again, the elusive trophy slipped through his fingers. Was this defeat more gut-wrenching than last year's loss? Draisaitl just shruggedworthlessly.
"It never fails to hurt. I don't know...", Draisaitl said after the painful 1:5 defeat of the Edmonton Oilers in the six-match NHL final against the Panthers: "There's no 'more or less' about it. It feels the same." This defeat came in the best-of-seven series in 2024, with Florida taking the victory 4:3.
Draisaitl's Disappointment Lingers
Draisaitl will thus need to persevere in waiting for the crowning glory of his impressive NHL career. He's secured personal accolades like others hoard stamps: in 2020, the 29-year-old claimed the Most Valuable Player award in the league, and in this year, he came in second in the vote and led the regular season scoring with a whopping 52 goals - the elusive Stanley Cup is still absent from Oilers' co-captain's collection.
And the frustration over this lingering title seems almost impossible to overcome. Asked for insights on lessons learned from the defeat, Draisaitl gave a nonchalant response. "The lesson is that we didn't win. That's all that matters. No one cares. We have to try again next year." There are "small things we need to learn at this level, but the sting of this loss is still too fresh."
Sturm: "Leon deserved it"
Draisaitl's continued heartbreak gifted Sturm his second NHL triumph. The Augsburger, who didn't play for the Florida Panthers in the final series, had already claimed the Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche in 2022. Sam Reinhart sealed the decisive fourth victory on the night of Wednesday with a four-goal scoring barrage (5/38/54/55).
"Just to lift this trophy again is a gift," Sturm told Hockey News, "and I feel for my fellow countryman Draisaitl. Of course, Leon deserved it. Leon is extraordinary, but there are personal awards he has already secured. The Stanley Cup requires the entire team to harmonize."
post-'93 Stanley Cup Drought Persists in Canada
After a 2:5 defeat at home on Saturday, the Oilers faced pressure in Sunrise and needed a win to force a deciding game at home. However, the Panthers capitalized on their first match point and became the first team since the Tampa Bay Lightning (2021) to successfully defend their title. This means that the long-lasting wait for the NHL championship in Canada continues. The record champion Montreal Canadiens last won the trophy in 1993.
Did You Know?- Draisaitl, along with teammate Connor McDavid, led the Oilers to the Stanley Cup Final in the 2023-2024 season, coming within a game of overcoming a 3-0 series deficit against the Florida Panthers but ultimately falling in Game 7[4].
In the 2024-2025 playoffs, Draisaitl continued his outstanding performance, ranking second in playoff points only behind McDavid, with 29 points[4]. He has a record of scoring at least 10 goals in three consecutive postseasons, a feat achieved only by NHL legends Mike Bossy and Wayne Gretzky[4]. In the 2025 Stanley Cup Final, Draisaitl created history by scoring his fourth overtime goal in a single postseason, the most ever by any player, including an OT goal that tied the series 2-2 against the Panthers[5]. Over his career, Draisaitl has amassed 52 goals and 89 assists in 95 playoff games, with a plus-minus rating of +18[3].
"Despite his impressive career achievements, Leon Draisaitl's NHL highlight remains elusive - the Stanley Cup. The Edmonton Oilers co-captain, who lost the 2024 NHL final to the Florida Panthers, plays hockey in the same league as the NHL."
"The unfortunate reality for Draisaitl is that his collection of personal accolades, such as the MVP award in 2020, does not include the Stanley Cup. Similarly, Sturm, who won the Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche in 2022, acknowledged Draisaitl's worthiness for the trophy, stating, 'Leon deserved it.'"
