Winners of the Stanley Cup last season, the Panthers will try for back-to-back titles starting Wednesday night when they visit Edmonton for Game 1 of a rematch. Florida beat the Oilers last year in seven games for Maurice's first Cup in a 30-year career.

Maurice's third straight trip to the Final has spread his quippy reputation — and rapport with his players — far and wide.

I’m not being disrespectful to the other teams I’ve coached, but the team here is just the best team I’ve ever coached. It’s not really that close.’