pretty common trend to winning the cup is having every 1 of those 3.
To be fair, Krejci doesn't exactly fit the traditional definition of a #1 center, and Letang wasn't nearly what he is now when the Pens won the Cup. Niemi as a bona fide #1 goalie is debatable as well, and Getzlaf wasn't the Ducks' #1 center when they won the Cup, Andy McDonald was.
To be fair, Krejci doesn't exactly fit the traditional definition of a #1 center, and Letang wasn't nearly what he is now when the Pens won the Cup. Niemi as a bona fide #1 goalie is debatable as well, and Getzlaf wasn't the Ducks' #1 center when they won the Cup, Andy McDonald was.
Pretty much this, PLUS look at those players in that they weren't all drafted by their respective cup winning teams. Not to mention some of them were latter round selections. Also wasn't Hasek hurt during his cup run with the Wings?
At the very least this shows that tanking to get high picks isn't the successful formula to winning the cup but rather it's a combination of PATIENT player development, signing KEY UFA's to anchor the team, and playing in a solid TEAM defensive system.
Really? Carolina and Edmonton say hi?
Maybe it's just me, but I would take Eric Staal, Jeff Skinner and Cam Ward or Hall, Eberle and RNH as the foundation of my team before I took Kessel, Grabovski and Phanuef...
Well, that is the contrast isn't it. Fans denying they're not the biggest mess aren't really thinking about whether the other GMs can build their team given enough futility. The Oilers and Isles, at least, have some major talents, and just need some decent moves to get them to the next level. The Isles have looked pretty good the last month, beating pretty good teams lately.
they're pretty close to the worst, and what's going to change? They got a STANDING OVATION last night, what's that say about Leaf Nation wanting a winner?
The Oilers (who everyone doesn't stop praising) have been tanking for 4 years, and they only have 1/3 of #1C, #1G,#1D (Although if they draft Dumba this can change).
The oilers have so much elite young talent that they could EASILY fill those gaps by trading a few pieces of their plethora of talent.
The leafs don't have that option. We have so little elite young talent that we don't have anywhere close to the option of trading any of those pieces.
By the way... I feel that what I just wrote above is such common sense that you shouldn't have needed me to spell it out for you.
I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt, and assume you were just playing devils advocate, or simply arguing for the sake of arguing.
they're pretty close to the worst, and what's going to change? They got a STANDING OVATION last night, what's that say about Leaf Nation wanting a winner?
I think the standing o was just a thank you for winning the last home game...if they we're cheering for the final results of the 2011-12 season, YIKES!!!
Yes the Leafs are in a huge mess. It'll be years before this is all cleaned up. I suggest all you complainers stop watching anything to do with the Leafs and come back in 5 years to see if things have changed. The rest of us will try our best to get along without you until you return.
I say no. If not for the collapse, this team would have been viewed as a team on the rise. The fact is there is a solid base of youngsters developing and we have some promising young talent emerging on the Leafs now.
There are many franchises in worse shape than the Leafs. I would say though that the relatonship with the fans is at an all time low, but I think that is more of a reaction to the collapse than anything.
Am I the only one that thinks Tampa should be more embarrassed than us? Top flight offense, a maybe 60 goal season from Stamkos and they still can't make the playoffs.
So if the leafs are in the same spot next year what will u all say then
Same as Leafs fans say ever year "wait till next year" ..
I've been doing it for over 40 years now, and while I no longer believe it like I did when I was young, it still remains the only thing a diehard fan can hang his hat on believing tomorrow will be better than today..
Am I the only one that thinks Tampa should be more embarrassed than us? Top flight offense, a maybe 60 goal season from Stamkos and they still can't make the playoffs.
They've got some recent success though. A game away from making it the Finals just a year ago, who knows if this year was an anomaly or not.
