Cyclones Rock
Registered User
- Jun 12, 2008
- 10,601
- 6,526
This is pretty much false. It would be nice to have an elite forward or two (remember those trying to say Atkinson was elite?) and a couple might develop into in that. However this is skill on this team, even at forward. I hardly classify Atkinson, Saad, OB, and Wennberg as "grinders". Our top pairing on D are highly skilled.
I think where we fail is in classification. We look at Crosby and think that is "skilled". No that is franchise/generational talent. Most teams don't have players like that.
Often wrong, but never in doubt.
Do some research. For once. Please.
Since the lockout season starting with Carolina in 06, every Stanley Cup winning has had a top 15 scorer in that regular season except the 2011 Bruins, who rode Tim Thomas to that Cup.
06 Carolina Staal.....7
07 Ducks Getzlaf....15
08 Wings Datsyuk....4
09 Pens Malkin....1
10 Hawks Kane....9
11 Bruins Lucic....39
12 LA Kopitar...15
13 Hawks Kane....5
14 LA Kopitar...16
15 Hawks Kane....4 (in PPG he was injured and only played 61 games) Toews was 23rd
16 Pens Crosby 3
Top end scoring talent is a virtual necessity to win a Cup. Atkinson finished 33rd in the league this season. That's likely his high water mark.