I think Tampa Bay needs to close the deal with a Cup, who else?

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

Ideally yes, although it doesn't have to be this year. TB will be good for a long time

 

[Bertuzzzi44]

Tampa & Nashville are due.

 

[TheKingPin]

If Tampa losses, say in the conf finals or second round, does cooper get fired!?

 

[VoluntaryDom]

Of course it's disappointing for us, it's Cup or bust for us. Doesn't mean it's a bad result, but disappointing as hell.

Disappointing for fans but that’s probably 5 teams in the league right now not just us

 

[VinikToWinIt]

They should. They have 10x the talent the Rangers had when they made the SCF and 2 ECF in 4 year span.

Bolts should have won a Cup by now.

To be fair, the Lightning have also made the SCF and 2 ECF in a 4 year span, and the East is WAY better now than it was during the Rangers era.

 

[Bounces R Way]

Kinda weird for Yzerman to build up this great team and then dip before the fruits of his labour can be realized. If they win this year he should still get his name on it.

 

[HarryLime]

The pressure is on them and Nashville.

It was on Washington, and they got it done. San Jose has had pressure forever but it seems like they never will win.

Toronto and Winnipeg are gonna be treated like cup contenders now, but they can afford to go a few years before they reach a boiling point like TB/NSH. But, because of the fanbases I'm sure it's reversed.

 

[Flames Fanatic]

The pressure is on them and Nashville.

It was on Washington, and they got it done. San Jose has had pressure forever but it seems like they never will win.

Toronto and Winnipeg are gonna be treated like cup contenders now, but they can afford to go a few years before they reach a boiling point like TB/NSH. But, because of the fanbases I'm sure it's reversed.

I came to mention San Jose. If they gel at the right time, they absolutely have the pieces on paper to surprise people.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

If Tampa doesn't win a cup during this window it will go down as one of the biggest failures in sports history. The team is absurdly stacked. Between the tax benefits allowing them to sign talent on the cheap, their great drafting always getting them top guys on ELC's and the Rags bending over for them and sending them assets on the cheap you really can't ask for more help to succeed. I honestly think they're more stacked than the Caps teams that didn't win. Nashville probably resembles those caps teams more as they've been consistently dominant for some time while Tampa has been all over the place, even missing the playoffs a few years back.

Agreed. Unpopular opinion but it's shit or get off the pot time. They're going to be entering SJS territory soon. Window is firmly open, players are in their prime, they've been considered a favorite for at least a couple of years.

HM to Nashville.

Kinda weird for Yzerman to build up this great team and then dip before the fruits of his labour can be realized. If they win this year he should still get his name on it.

I'm sure he'd get a ring, he'd be very deserving.

 

[Hint1k]

Over the past four years, TB has a made a SCF, two ECFs, were the #1 EC seed last year and are first overall currently. I think anything else other than a Cup is disappointment for them and need to close the deal like the Caps did.

Capitals were the cup favorites for how long? My guess is at least 8 years. Since 2010 when they annihilated the whole NHL with 121 points and 318 goals for. And they won only one cup, you know, last year. So winning the cup requires a huge amount of luck.

Am I disappointed as a Tampa fan? Sure thing. But I would be much more disappointed if I were say a Carolina fan. One cup and then no play-offs for ten years in a row.

So, I say: "take this cup back and give me a play-off fun every year". And as long as Tampa is competing for the cup (winning or not) I am happy enough to watch the ride itself.

 

[PittsburghPens8771]

The NHL is far too volatile for any team to be considered a disappointment if they, say, lose in the ECF.

With that said, I think Tampa is the current cup favorite, and the high expectations of them are mostly warranted.

Tampa was supposedly the cup favorite the past 4 seasons. They just have players that can’t get it done when their season is on the line. Why will this year be any different?

 

[PittsburghPens8771]

Capitals were the cup favorites for how long? My guess is at least 8 years. Since 2010 when they annihilated the whole NHL with 121 points and 318 goals for. And they won only one cup, you know, last year. So winning the cup requires a huge amount of luck.

Am I disappointed as a Tampa fan? Sure thing. But I would be much more disappointed if I were say a Carolina fan. One cup and then no play-offs for ten years in a row.

So, I say: "take this cup back and give me a play-off fun every year". And as long as Tampa is competing for the cup (winning or not) I am happy enough to watch the ride itself.

You would be in the minority with that thought process. Who cares if you make the playoffs every year? I rather have a cup?

 

[Ibanezrokr]

Not a leafs fan at all, but between matthews, nylander, tavares, marner all being on the payroll, and andersen having a career year, there is some serious firepower and immense pressure. I have no idea how they are going to be able to afford that roster ever again, so I see this as their one and only shot.

 

[Lazlo Hollyfeld]

Who needs to close the deal? San Jose for the last 15 years.

They've been very good for a very long time.

 

[Pens x]

Tampa: always a bridesmaid, never a bride.

 

[bukwas]

I would say San Jose tops the list of teams that need a cup a.s.a.p.
Other contenders look to have a bit more time with a few just entering a likely 4+ more years where they should remain highly competitive.

 

[JoVel]

Tampa was supposedly the cup favorite the past 4 seasons. They just have players that can’t get it done when their season is on the line. Why will this year be any different?

The same was said for the Capitals for years.

 

[dechire]

It's funny that non-Bolts fans have higher expectations of the team than actual fans do. Am I disappointed that they haven't won with this core yet ? Sure. Do I think they've failed in some way ? Not at all. Winning the Cup isn't easy. Just ask Vancouver or Buffalo or Toronto. There's never a guarantee. I'm just glad my team has a realistic shot.

 

[Hischier and Hughes]

The NHL is far too volatile for any team to be considered a disappointment if they, say, lose in the ECF.

With that said, I think Tampa is the current cup favorite, and the high expectations of them are mostly warranted.

When you have Tampa’s roster, it is Cup or bust

Dont try and downplay the expectations

 

[VoluntaryDom]

Tampa was supposedly the cup favorite the past 4 seasons. They just have players that can’t get it done when their season is on the line. Why will this year be any different?

outside of stamkos and miller the bolts dont really have any players who normally choke

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

outside of stamkos and miller the bolts dont really have any players who normally choke

Callahan, but I guess he just sucks now.

 

[CanadianPensFan1]

*insert fans wanting a cup for their own team*

Lock it up.

 

[Syckle78]

*insert fans wanting a cup for their own team*

Lock it up.

What?

 

[VoluntaryDom]

Callahan, but I guess he just sucks now.

callahan was our best winger in the caps series. seriously.

 

[glovesave_35]

The NHL is far too volatile for any team to be considered a disappointment if they, say, lose in the ECF.

I disagree. Everyone agrees that Yzerman has built a great team. I agree with OP, but for me the Cup doesn't have to be this year.