Lord Stanley's Pool 2023 - Opening Analysis

The consensus is clear: Connor McDavid is the best player in the league and nearly everyone's top pick, even if the Oilers aren't most popular Cup choice. After the first 150-point season since 1996, McDavid was picked a pool record 304 times - 89 per cent of the 341 entries, the highest percentage since Joe Sakic had 95% (38 of a measly 40 entries) in 2001. McDavid's dominance is not surprising, but it does effectively cancel out his impact in the pool. Leon Draisaitl, McDavid's linemate who finished second in scoring, was picked 264 times (77% of entries), limiting the difference could make as well.

With 304 picks, Connor McDavid was nearly a default choice for all.

Aside from the prodigous Oilers, the story is the Boston Bruins - by far the favourite to win the Cup, with 147 entries picking them, to 63 for Edmonton and a surprising 53 for Toronto. Despite the Leafs' past and their playing nemesis Tampa Bay (with Boston waiting in the wings), poolies are betting with their heart and made them the third most popular Cup choice.

With the Oilers (748 picks), Bruins (645) and Avalanche (581) comprising eight of the nine common players and a separation between the top players and the rest of the pool, the advantage can turn to whoever picked the team(s) that supercede them if and when they are knocked out. This leaves Leafs fans with an opening if the Buds can finally break through. I'm not holding my breath...

Colorado defenseman Cale Makar (195 picks) is the top-picked defenseman in the pool for the fourth consecutive year - the first player at any position to accomplish the feat. (Nicklas Lidstrom had three straight in the inaugural three years from 1998-2000, and six times total; Lidstrom was a top-2 D pick 11 straight years and 12 total.) Makar was picked in 57% of pools, a decent number that is low enough to have an impact if the Avs repeat their run to the finals. Four years in the league, and four straight years as the top defenseman - Makar is young enough to challenge Lidstrom if he proves to have the longevity.

With Boston dominating the standings and the Cup choices, goalie Linus Ullmark - the likely Vezina Trophy winner - was a decisive top goalie pick. Ullmark's 147 picks (43%) was more than triple the second choice (Igor Shesterkin, 46), ending a run of three straight years of relative parity in net.