The Stanley Cup Final is well underway, and the battle between the Vegas Golden Knights and Carolina Hurricanes has already been a series to remember. All of the games have been decided by one goal. Vegas looked like the better team for much of the first three games. The Hurricanes looked flat-footed to start the series, and the Golden Knights largely outplayed the Canes in a game-one regulation loss. They fell into a two-goal deficit heading into the third period of game two. The Canes then proceeded to score three. They took the lead until Mark Stone tied the game with less than two minutes on the clock. Seth Jarvis was the overtime hero, scoring on the power play to even the series.
Game 3
Game 3 brought a tighter start to the game until Mitch Marner broke it wide open with a hat-trick and an assist in the second period. Headed into the third, it looked all but over for the Canes. But Jordan Martinook, Taylor Hall and Jordan Staal scored three goals in 29 seconds to bring them within one. Andrei Svechnikov extended the unlikely comeback to overtime, scoring on the power play with 1:42 left to play. Despite the valiant effort from Carolina, the Hurricanes fell in double overtime as Shea Theodore sealed a 2–1 series lead for the Golden Knights.
With such a great series thus far, Flames fans have more at stake than another first-round pick from the Golden Knights. Three former Flames are in the Cup Final. Noah Hanifin and Rasmus Andersson are with Vegas, and Mark Jankowski is with the Carolina Hurricanes.
This week, we wanted to know which former Flame you are rooting for the most to win a Stanley Cup? We asked, you answered.
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Which former Flame are you rooting for the most in the Stanley Cup Final?
We presented the poll below to our readers.
Mark Jankowski
Mark Jankowski finished second in this week’s poll, collecting just under 20% of votes. Jankowski, drafted by the Flames 21st overall in 2012, signed his ELC in 2016. Before the Hurricanes, he last suited up in the playoffs for the Flames in 2019–20 before leaving in free agency. Jankowski joined the Pittsburgh Penguins on a one-year deal in 2020–21. The following season, Jankowski earned a contract on a PTO with the Buffalo Sabres, again spending parts of the 2021–22 season in the minors. The 2022 offseason saw Jankowski’s fate turn as the Nashville Predators signed him to a one-year deal, and eventually a two-year extension in 2023. Last season, Jankowski finally became a full-time NHLer again and was dealt to the Hurricanes at the deadline for a 5th round pick.
Jankowski’s production exploded after the trade, scoring eight goals in 19 games with the Canes last season, while earning himself a playoff roster spot. Jankowski continued his comeback this season, becoming a bottom-six staple for Carolina with 11 goals and 21 points in 68 games played. During the playoffs this season, Jankowski has continued to carry that weight, scoring a goal and recording five points while dressing for all 16 of the Canes’ playoff games.
Jankowski has been impactful for Carolina during their playoff run and is a great story to cheer for. Not many players continue their career past a PTO, let alone find themselves in the lineup every night for a contender during the playoffs. Although Jankowski never panned out in Calgary as fans had hoped, it would be great to see him hoist the hardware.
Rasmus Andersson
Rasmus Andersson was the clear-cut victor in this week’s poll, collecting over 75% of the votes. Andersson has been a presence for Vegas this playoff run. He recorded five points and averaged over 23 minutes of ice time. Rasmus is the most recent former Flame on this list, and was the centrepiece for the trade that could send the Flames another Vegas first-rounder if they take home Lord Stanley’s hardware. Andersson was a fan favourite in Calgary, spending over a decade with the organization and sticking out a few tough seasons until finally requesting a trade. It’s easy to see why Flames fans would want to see Andersson take home a Stanley Cup the most, being a prominent leader for the Flames over the past few seasons, setting an example on the back-end alongside Mackenzie Weegar.
Unlike his Golden Knights counterpart, Hanifin, Andersson remains closer to Flames fans’ hearts. I’m sure the draft pick helps his case a bit, but still. Andersson was selected 54th overall in the 2015 draft, growing up in the Flames organization with the Stockton Heat, before cracking the NHL roster full-time in 2018–19. If you’ve watched the Flames in any detail, you know the type of person Rasmus Andersson is and how much of an impact he had during his time with the Flames. There’s no question Flames fans would love to see Andersson raise a cup (and cash in that trade condition).
Noah Hanifin
Noah Hanifin had a rough week, losing the former Flame popularity contest handily with less than 5% of votes. Despite Hanifin being a longstanding Flame, his departure two years ago at the trade deadline was one that fans would like to forget. Acquired in the 2018 offseason by the Flames in the blockbuster Adam Fox trade, Hanifin played three full seasons with the Caroline Hurricanes after being drafted 5th overall in 2015. After five seasons with the Flames, Hanifin dragged out talks of an extension, and, at Craig Conroy’s courtesy, the Flames had limited options at the trade deadline. The result was trading Hanifin to the Golden Knights in the eleventh hour for an underwhelming return.
Although all trades take time to play out, there’s no question Hanifin soured Flames fans with his departure, and it shows. Doesn’t help that Adam Fox has to be mentioned when you talk about Hanifin’s road to Calgary. Started sour, ended sour.
The more picks, the merrier
To be fair to Mark Jankowski, Rasmus Andersson did have a sizeable advantage in this week’s poll. The addition of a first-round pick as a result of the Golden Knights winning a cup tips the scales too far for feel-good stories, but it does shed some light on Flames fans’ opinions of Noah Hanifin. To be fair to Hanifin, he does play for a notoriously unlikeable franchise, and he does not have a goal celebration that holds a candle to the Andersson Stare. Plus, all that other stuff about putting the Flames in a difficult position with his contract.
Whichever way the hardware’s engraved, it will be nice (and painful) to see a former Flame hoist the Stanley Cup for the third season in a row.