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Five Reasons Maple Leafs Win Stanley Cup before Oilers

By James Tanner

Apr 17, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs fans cheer for their team before game three against Washington Capitals in the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 17, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs fans cheer for their team before game three against Washington Capitals in the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
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#2 Coaching

I’d bet money that by the time the Oilers win a Cup that Todd McLellan is no longer their coach.

Whether it’s loading up the first line, insisting that Draisaitl play wing, or a generally old-school mentality, I don’t think McLellan is a very good coach for today’s NHL.

Toronto Maple Leafs
Apr 17, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs fans cheer for their team before game three against Washington Capitals in the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

By contrast, Mike Babcock is pretty much unanimously considered the best coach in the NHL.  He’s a master tactician and motivator.  He does have some old-school tenancies that hurt him (i.e reliance on checkers and stay-at-home defensemen) but he’s also shown a willingness to evolve that is the hallmark of all successful people.

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