Dennis Hextall was never in a situation where he had a chance to prove himself in the playoffs. His playoff record is one of those that would best be termed as "incomplete." During the three-year run when he went for at least 52 assists and 138 PIMs each year (you can throw in a 44-assist, 164 PIM season if you want), he played in six playoff games. You can't get a good evaluation of a guy based on six playoff games. (I know some of the stats freaks would like to, but they don't have a clue). But if you want to talk about the perfect LW to work with Larouche in the MLD, that would be Dennis Hextall, because he brings the playmaking ability and the grit that Larouche needs to succeed.
You're right that Crowder's playoff resume isn't sterling, but Crowder's in the complimentary role. And it's a role that suits him fine. He's excellent defensively, he's tough, he's physical, he's a force in the corners, and he can score goals, finish off chances, and pick up the garbage goals that Hextall and Larouche create with their skill. There are very few players who credibly fit the bill of a power forward in an MLD that follows a 28-team ATD. Crowder is one of the few. The days of Morrow and Doan slipping to the MLD are over.
And I think the playoff record for scorers isn't as much as an issue. That's why I don't make it a big part of my arguments. Unless someone has a sterling playoff record, like Brad Richards or Steve Payne. If a guy has that great playoff record, that's great. But if he doesn't, I don't make an issue of it like the ATD. This is a completely different level. Guys aren't playing against elite shutdown forwards or shutdown defencemen. You have strong shutdown defencemen (Samuelsson, Lefebvre, Regehr, Rick Green, etc.), but they aren't elite all-time shut-down guys. Dennis Hextall isn't facing the Broad Street Bullies (the team he faced in the 73 playoffs during his one playoff at the height of his career). He's not facing defensive defencemen the calibre of the Watsons, or defensive forwards the calibre of Clarke, Lonsberry, MacLeish, etc.
Incidentally, Hextall was the first star in our first round series, so I think a lot of guys realize that his playoff record is best defined as incomplete.
I think you've given Nilsson the right linemates. No secret around these parts that I'm a big Steve Payne fan. But I know we've given Larouche the right linemates. I know we've given Brad Richards the right linemates. (Or Ziggy Palffy the right linemates. Depends on your perspective). I don't think you've give Amonte or Haynes the right linemates. (Again, depends on your perspective). And I know you haven't given Apps the right linemates. I said last round that the Petes didn't have the right mix for the second line. I was right. And that was probably the difference in the series. And I think the Caps inability to find the right mix for the second and fourth lines is the difference in this series. Our lines work. Theirs don't.
Markov is a very, very good all-round defenceman. I thought he should have been a second-team all-star last year, but you also couldn't argue with Brian Campbell's selection, since Campbell had such a huge impact on San Jose in the final six weeks. But Markov fits in well with Jovanovski - a steady, smart, well-rounded defenceman who can also move the puck and effectively quarterback a power play. His defensive game is really underrated.
Wensink, with what he brings to the table, has no trouble justifying his place in the line-up. He's not just a toughie. And he's not going to be in the headlines for a clash with Melville RCMP after a DUI. He's not going to try to sneak "Columbian bam bam" across the border at North Portal or Regway. (The two busiest Canada-U.S. border crossing in Saskatchewan). He's a good guy (something that can't be said about Probert), he's a good locker room guy, he's tough as nails, and he's actually pretty good defensively.
Our coaching is better. Partly because it does help to have the extra set of eyes. Partly because it's the perfect tandem. Johnson is the player's coach - the guy who knows how to handle the players, who knows what to say to them and when to say it to them, and just has the great mind for the game. The perfect coach for guys like Pierre Larouche and Ziggy Palffy, but also a guy who'll get respect from the Richard's, Owen, Crowder, Smyth, Jovo, Lefebvre and Gee. Dwight McMillan - as anyone who knows anything about Saskatchewan hockey will tell you - is a master strategist, a guy who can pick the game apart and create the perfect game plan. He can be tough and demanding. But he'll turn a guy like Larouche loose, too. And for the stats freaks out there: at this time next year, Dwight will be the winningest coach in hockey. Anywhere.