These days there are few who would talk about any organization as a "dynasty."
To some, those only existed back in the 50's and 60's and died in the days of the late 80's with the Edmonton Oilers. Some may talk about the string of 4 cups in 11 years that the Detroit Red Wings picked up from 1996 to 2008 as a lesser form of a dynastic team. The latter make a particularly strong case when you consider they appeared in five finals, three conference semis, and one conference finals in which they lost to the eventual champion Anaheim Ducks. If you add the years of 94 and 95 along with 2008-09, that would add two more finals appearances and one more conference finals.
Not bad.
It seems nowadays that we try to stay away frhom the big "D-word" though. However, moving into this season I think one of the more compelling storylines, if not the most compelling one, is the race to three cups that is currently under way between the Chicago Blackhawks and defending champion Los Angeles Kings.
No question both teams currently stand atop the pinnacle of the NHL as two elite teams. In my opinion each also stands one cup away from the description of "Dynasty".
Because for the Kings it would be three cups in four years and for the Blackhawks it would be three in five. When you compare that to the teams of old that were considered dynasties, like the the 1955-60 Canadiens who won five in five or the 1961-67 Maple Leafs who won four cups in six, it doesn't seem like you could put them in there with the likes of those teams that we talk about with such historic greatness and admiration. We talk about that era of hockey as if it were mythological event, played by heroes. We talk about Jean Beliveau, Bernie Geoffrion, Maurice Richard, Johnny Bower and Bob Pulford, with nostalgic awe.
I am here to tell you that each of the teams that we watch today, both the Blackhawks and the Kings, stand on the cusp of being a team that could proudly stand among those teams when all is said and done.
By today's standards in the new NHL, which by all accounts is a much more difficult era to build a dynasty in, two is an amazing feat. Three......well, three would be something to talk about. Especially when you consider the time frame and era, with the game arguably at the peak of competitive form. At the start of the year it seems like all 30 teams have a shot. Alright, maybe not all, but most. Every year is filled with new competitors and fast risers. In the era of the salary cap you just don't see teams like the Canadiens of the 50's and 60's or the Oilers of the 80's.
But the race for three cups starts this year. With that race there lies an almost palpable sense of pride and "prove it". As if these two teams had to do anymore to prove their dominance in the NHL. This goes beyond just dominance for a single season though.
The Kings and the Blackhawks faced off in late May and early June in what was one of the most entertaining, competitive, and exciting playoff series we have seen in many years. When you walked away from that series, no matter what team you rooted for, you left with respect for the opponent. It really felt like a battle of titans, and the only shame was that it wasn't over the prized holy grail itself. It was merely a step along the way. However, it's highly possible that the two teams could meet again.
In fact, many are planning on it.
When that series finally ended it felt like there was still a chapter or two left to be written between the two great franchises. Perhaps it gets written some time this Spring. Or maybe even next spring. Now with two cups apiece, the race is definitely on between these two franchises to prove it to the league and to each other who the dynasty is right now.
Walking around the streets of L.A. and the Inland Empire you see a lot more Kings gear than you used to. It hasn't always been a hockey town, but it is becoming that way. It's growing just like the franchise has. The buzz around the start of this season is making its way around offices, retail stores, households, and bars. The city is excited, and why shouldn't it be? While maybe not everyone will understand the significance of the potential history that stands before the Kings, everyone knows that three championships in four years is impressive no matter how you slice it.
It is always exciting when the NHL season commences, but we forget sometimes that we are watching what is live history unfolding before us. At the end of the day, in 30 years, will we talk about Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Anze Kopitar, and Jonathan Quick like we talk about Mike Bossy, Butch Goring, and Maurice Richard? Maybe, maybe not. Both teams and the cities have that potential though, and it starts right now. With the Kings aging in at an average of 28.023 and the Blackhawks at an average age of 27.903, both are built in a fashion that could see them win multiple cups over the next five years.
They will probably have to go toe to toe with each other at least a few more times, perhaps in another rousing conference finals that leaves us all in awe.
Hunt needed Lauda, Ali needed Fraser, Palmer needed Nicklaus. The Kings and the Blackhawks need each other right now in order to spur the other on to potential greatness. Who is going to be the one that takes the step now that we are knotted up at two and entering our prime? It certainly can't end this way. Or maybe another team has something to say about all this Kings Blackhawks talk.
We wait and see. Can it be October 8th yet?
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