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Fact: It's Hard to Win a Stanley Cup |
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There are now 31 teams in the NHL after the Vegas Golden Knights were introduced this season. There will be 16 teams that make it, 15 that won’t and at the end of the of warm June night, 1 team will be deemed a Champion.
The reality is, as Hawks fans, we’re really damn lucky to witness this outcome, one in 2010 – the first one since 1961. Only to see Stanley Cup parades again in 2013… and 2015. Pretty remarkable stuff, as it’s really hard to win a Cup.
If you ask the Blues, Sabres, Canucks, Sharks, Capitals, Jets, Panthers, Predators, Wild and/or Blue Jackets they will agree with that statement.
There’s been a lot of debate (admittedly and purposely started by myself) on what Stan Bowman will do / is doing with this team. Some say he’s qualified, while others say he’s still riding off the building blocks that Dale Tallon left behind.
With all the struggles the Hawks have had over the last few seasons, and I categorize them as “mild struggles” as we’ve become accustomed to extremely high standards, I am enjoying reflecting on how amazing this franchise has been in the last decade.
I work in the sports industry in Toronto, so it’s impossible to escape Toronto Maple Leafs chatter. This high-flying and exciting team of talented youngsters has drawn comparisons to the Chicago Blackhawks’ teams of the past right before they began challenging for Stanley Cups.
So reflect with me for a moment; here is the Blackhawks of 2008-09, a year before they won their first Stanley Cup in 49 years:
Ladd-Toews-Havlat
Versteeg-Sharp-Kane
Brouwer-Bolland-Byfuglien
Eager-Pahlsson-Burish
Keith-Seabrook
Campbell-Hjalmarsson
Barker-Walker
Khabibulin
Huet
I use this team as an example because I feel like the Leafs first need a good run to know what it’s going to take to win 16 playoff games. That Hawks team lost to the Detroit Red Wings (a team they emulated) in the Conference Finals. It was with that experience that they were able to win it all in 2010.
Now, here is a look at the 2017-18 Toronto Maple Leafs:
Hyman-Matthews-Nylander
Marleau-Kadri-Marner
JVR-Bozak-Brown
Komarov-Moore-Kapanen/Martin
Rielly-Hainsey
Gardiner-Dermott
Borgman-Polak
Anderson
McElhinney
* notable injuries: Reilly, Zaitsev
Yes, I understand the game has changed a lot in 10 years so it’s hard to compare player-by-player. I do like a lot of the Leafs pieces though, and while they have been sputtering a bit as of late, if they can get back on track at the right time, Leafs fans could be in for a fun spring.
The glaring differentiation that Hawks ’09 playoff team to the upcoming Leafs ’18 is the top-end defence for the Leafs.
Keith and Seabrook were in there prime and revered by many as the top pairing in the entire league. Campbell was still very strong, Hammer was emerging as a shutdown D and that bottom pair was solidified the following season by Brent Sopel.
So, even with Reilly and Zaitsev in the Leafs lineup, it’s difficult to envision a Cup winning team with those 2 defenders as your best. I know it’s been a priority for Lou Lamoriello to acquire a top-4 D and he hasn’t had much luck to date, but maybe he can work some magic at the deadline or at the latest in the summer.
The thing is, even is Lou is able to pull off some upgrades to the defence, they still might be strong enough and lucky enough to win a Stanley Cup with amazing players like Matthews, Marner, Nylander because… well winning it all in the NHL is damn hard!
So Hawks fans, be fortunate that the stars aligned 3 (!) times in 6 seasons.
See ya out there!
JL
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ICYMI:
* Q desperation blender: the PP was a focus at practice so it will be interesting to see if there is a little more urgency and cohesion when moving the puck with the man advantage. It will also be interesting to see how the lines shake out as Saad was up skating with Schmaltz and Kane. If that line remains, to keep up with the Leafs speed, I’d go:
Debrincat-Toews-Duclair
Saad-Schmaltz-Kane
Hartman-Anisimov-Hinostroza
Jurco-Kampf-Wingels
* Friedman Thoughts on Q: in his 31 thoughts posted yesterday, Elliotte Friedman had this to say: “I’m amazed at the rumours out of Chicago that Joel Quenneville could be in trouble. If he wants a change, that’s one thing. But getting fired? Really? Quenneville would be unemployed as long as he wanted to be unemployed. And someone could very well drop a Babcock-style contract on him.”
Thoughts on thought: I agree with Elliotte, Quenneville would be hired in a second; I believe he’s a great coach and his outstanding resume speaks for itself. However, he’s not going to be here forever, so when is the right time to move on? I’m torn because I would like to see him turn it around with this upcoming wave and new challenging road the Hawks have in front of them, but on the other hand, it may be time for him to move on… and Q might agree.
* Rockford Update: it seems like all of a sudden the IceHogs is an all-star team watching games when you hear names like Kero and Hayden and now Forsling and Clendening. Last night, they came away with a 4-1 win over Bakersfield (Oilers farmhand).
Forsling was the 1st star of the game with 1G and 8 SOG. This time in the AHL will be great for him to gain confidence and get his defensive game rounded out working with Associate Coach, Sheldon Brookbank, who is very familiar with Coach Q’s systems.
Rockford now sits 2ns in the Central Division with a 23-16-2-3 record. Next up, they have a weekend series vs. Ontario (Jan 26th) and Grand Rapids (Jan 27th).
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Who we got tonight: Toronto Maple Leafs
Season Matchup:
Chicago
Toronto ✓
26-18-5 = 57 points
3rd in Atlantic Division
Last game: LOST vs. Colorado (4-2) on Monday
GF: 151 / GA: 142
PP% = 20.4% (10th in NHL)
PK% = 83.8% (4th in NHL)
Sniper: Auston Matthews – 21 goals
Producer: Auston Matthews – 36 points
Tough Guys: – Matt Martin – 45 PIMs & Leo Komarov - 142 hits
Expected Starter: Frederik Anderson
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Chicago Blackhawks Blogger • 
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