We all know that winning the Stanley Cup is no easy feat - even as one of the best players in the league.
In the 2016 playoffs, some of the best goaltenders (Henrik Lundqvist, Roberto Luongo), best forwards (Alex Ovechkin, Joe Thornton), and best defensemen (Ryan Suter, Shea Weber) are fighting for a chance at their first cup. That is just among those who are actually playing right now. Expanding into the teams who have already been eliminated, the likes of Shane Doan, Ryan Miller, and Jarome Iginla all appear. Every so often though, we get a story of a player who is just "deserving" of winning the cup. What is it exactly that makes a player "deserving" of the Stanley Cup, and why does this concept seem to be more prominent in the NHL than in other leagues?
They don't actually have to be a superstar - it certainly helps - but there are other factors that are key. Typically, you would hear people say things like, "he was always there for the team," or "he is just a genuinely great guy." Often times, it is about what they contribute off the ice: the type of person you want in the locker room to motivate the team and elevate those around him. Sometimes, it feels as though it can be hard to describe what makes a player deserving of a cup, but you will absolutely know it when you see it.
Growing up, Kimmo Timonen was always one of my favorite players. He was consistent in everything he did. He never overreacted, was never too flashy, and was always willing to grind it out. Moreover, everything I heard about him off the ice was about what a "stand up guy" he was; he was one of the good ones. When the news broke that he was out indefinitely before the start of the 2014-2015 season, it felt like his career was cut short (even if by just one season). But, much like you would expect from that type of player, he found a way to work himself back into the game. Then again, when the news broke that he was traded to the Blackhawks, we knew that this was the organization's way of trying to get Timonen the cup that he deserved. Flyers and Predators fans alike were rooting for him, and when he finally got the chance to hoist the Stanley Cup, it seemed like everyone around the league felt that one of the good guys won.
A similar instance occurred with Ray Bourque when he was traded from the Bruins to the Colorado Avalanche for the 2000 and 2001 seasons. By that time in his career, Bourque was a legend in Boston, and pretty much already in the Hall of Fame. Much like the Timonen, Bourque was one of the players that embodied many of the most admirable traits of a teammate and player. There is no doubt that Bruins fans were rooting for Bourque to raise the cup. Showing the importance of his first team, the City of Boston and its Bruins fans also held a rally for him after winning the cup.
Looking at this year, there are no players who fall into this category yet. Yes, players such as Ovechkin and Lundqvist have been at the tops of their games, and are definitely faces of the NHL, but both still have several years before achieving the status of "deserving" a Stanley Cup. If these two don't win the cup in the near future, their names will be among those mentioned as "deserving." While Shane Doan will not have a shot at it this year, it would not surprise me to see him gear up for a run outside of Arizona.
While not commonplace, trading a veteran player to provide them a chance to make a cup run is nothing new in hockey. Usually, in these cases, the desired impact is adding leadership and experience, and it does not have to be that blockbuster deal we all desire. Winning the Stanley Cup takes hard work, playing through the pain, determination, and dedication; traits that players like Timonen and Bourque possessed throughout their career - and Ovechkin, Lundqvist, and Doan continue to display both on and off the ice. As such, it is only fitting that these types of players have the chance to battle for the best trophy in sports one last time.
About Jillian:
Jillian Fisher is a sport anthropologist who focuses on sport culture and fan culture. Growing up with three older brothers, sports have always played a large part of her life. While she enjoys all sports, hockey has always been her first passion. Jillian has traveled across the world - from the Philippines to Italy and across the US - studying the impact of sports, all while cheering for the home team and discovering what makes each place so unique, even being referred to as the Anthony Bourdain of sports. She is currently filming her own web series, Out of the Park, that highlights the different cultures surrounding our favorite sports across the country. Always in search of the next event, Jillian can be contacted on Twitter, Instagram, or emailed at jillianfisher00[at]gmail.com