LeBrun: We asked NHL execs for their Avalanche-Lightning predictions

DENVER — The salary cap era has produced its share of playoff upsets to the point where you almost assume before the playoffs that the best two teams won’t actually face each other in the end. The gap in talent has shrunk in the cap era. There is true parity. Upsets are the norm.

With that in mind, it really is refreshing to see the Tampa Bay Lightning and Colorado Avalanche meet in the Stanley Cup Final.

If you go back to October before the puck dropped on the 2021-22 season, and asked most people around the game for their Stanley Cup picks, Tampa Bay and Colorado were the predominant responses.

Two high-quality teams run by smart people with superstar talent and depth.

The difference, of course, lies in what’s been achieved. The back-to-back Cup champion Bolts are the gold standard, a third straight trip to the finals something I thought we would never see in the cap era given said parity.

The Avalanche, well, they hope to open their window now of multiple championships.

For my money, this is the sexiest matchup in the Cup final since Boston and Chicago in 2013 and before that Pittsburgh-Detroit back-to-back in 2008 and 2009.

I reached out to rival NHL team executives and coaches to get their take and predictions for this Cup final. Enjoy!

Head coach No. 1 via text message:

I believe the Avalanche are a juggernaut. They are in a different level in terms of being on a mission. They are focused and determined. Their speed is just off the charts.

They have three obstacles for me.

1- Experience. At some point, Tampa Bay’s experience will serve them.

2- Avalanche will be challenged (or if). When they will be, how will they react? It’s not a given to me to react the right way at this stage. Their competitive spirit can be an enemy at that time. We’ll see.

3- Kuemper will be back for the final. But still, it isn’t Vasy!!! We’ll see how big is the gap.

Also, Tampa Bay defensemen are underrated IMO. Everybody talks about Tampa like they were skill-like in the past. For me, their ability and understanding of shutting down their opponent is their strength. If Tampa can skate enough to shut down Colorado, then Tampa can win. Because of the mental edge they have, the size of their D and their goalie.

Last thing. I think Colorado had too big of a break. They will be rusty. That might give an edge to Tampa in Game 1.

I say Colorado in 7.

Head coach No. 2 via text message (picks Colorado):

“Pretty simple for me. The best two teams that we faced are there. I think it is Colorado’s time. They can overwhelm you with pace and speed but the champs are cagey…

Head coach No. 3 via text message (declined to make a pick):

“It looks and feels like it’s Colorado’s time but they haven’t faced anything like Tampa and Vasilevskiy yet so it will be the toughest challenge they’ve faced.

The injuries to Brayden Point and Nazem Kadri are real factors. If either is healthy enough to contribute that could be the separator.

Head coach No. 4 via text message:

I am going to take Colorado in 7. It won’t be easy, they will have to overcome Tampa’s experience and they will be facing a goaltender that’s clearly above anything they have seen…