NHL: Around the League 45

[JaegerDice]

This TB team is very good but they’re hardly some unstoppable juggernaut that would have beat any other Cup winner of the last 20 years or whatever.

I’d easily take the 2010 and 2013 Hawks teams over this, but maybe give them a slight edge against 2015 team.

I don't recall claiming they were one of the best Stanley Cup winning teams of the last 20 years.

They're fairly high on the list in the cap era tho.

2008 Red Wings
2013 Blackhawks
2016 Penguins
2014 Kings
2010 Blackhawks
2012 Kings
2020 Lightning
2007 Ducks
2015 Blackhawks
2019 Blues
2018 Capitals
2009 Penguins
2011 Bruins
2006 Hurricanes
2017 Penguins

 

[DisgruntledHawkFan]

I don't recall claiming they were one of the best Stanley Cup winning teams of the last 20 years.

They're fairly high on the list in the cap era tho.

2008 Red Wings
2013 Blackhawks
2016 Penguins
2014 Kings
2010 Blackhawks
2012 Kings
2020 Lightning
2007 Ducks
2015 Blackhawks
2019 Blues
2018 Capitals
2009 Penguins
2011 Bruins
2006 Hurricanes
2017 Penguins

For like the dozenth time....

They haven’t won yet.

 

[RayP]

I don't recall claiming they were one of the best Stanley Cup winning teams of the last 20 years.

They're fairly high on the list in the cap era tho.

2008 Red Wings
2013 Blackhawks
2016 Penguins
2014 Kings
2010 Blackhawks
2012 Kings
2020 Lightning
2007 Ducks
2015 Blackhawks
2019 Blues
2018 Capitals
2009 Penguins
2011 Bruins
2006 Hurricanes
2017 Penguins

It has more to do with how you keep slobbering over how amazing they are and inevitably going to win the Cup even when the series was tied 1-1. And not even just saying they’re favorites to win the Cup, but definitely acting as if there is zero chance they lose. It’s annoying.


Hockey is weird and a lot of weird stuff happens in every series. I think they are the better team but all it takes is a couple of unpredictable bounces to change everything.

 

[TheDachKnight]

I think Tampa wins the Cup tonight. I called Tampa in 6 before the series started and I’m sticking to it. Dallas is good though. Far from a sure thing.

 

[Blackhawkswincup]

On what planet are the 2016 Pens and 2014 Kings better then 2010 Hawks?

 

[JaegerDice]

On what planet are the 2016 Pens and 2014 Kings better then 2010 Hawks?

2010 had worse goaltending, less defensive depth (2 good pairs, trash 3rd pair), and equal forward depth (3 good lines, trash 4th line) as 2014 team that lost in 7. 2010 team loses in 7 as well.

2016 Pens are one of the best teams of the cap era by pretty much every metric post-coaching change, and probably the fastest team on the list. They skate circles round the 2010 Blackhawks, their offensive talent abuses Blackhawks goaltending. Series over in 5 or 6.

2013 Blackhawks only roster fast and deep enough to keep up.

 

[ChiHawks10]

Lol.

 

[RayP]

2010 had worse goaltending, less defensive depth (2 good pairs, trash 3rd pair), and equal forward depth (3 good lines, trash 4th line) as 2014 team that lost in 7. 2010 team loses in 7 as well.

2016 Pens are one of the best teams of the cap era by pretty much every metric post-coaching change, and probably the fastest team on the list. They skate circles round the 2010 Blackhawks, their offensive talent abuses Blackhawks goaltending. Series over in 5 or 6.

2013 Blackhawks only roster fast and deep enough to keep up.

Yikes

 

[JaegerDice]

People are so precious about that 2010 team.

It was a great team. It has been surpassed by others in years since, including another Blackhawks team.

Theres no great shame in it.

 

[RayP]

People are so precious about that 2010 team.

It was a great team. It has been surpassed by others in years since, including another Blackhawks team.

Theres no great shame in it.

Keep digging.

 

[JaegerDice]

Keep digging.

Is it digging if I simply say I stand by my ranking of the 2010 Blackhawks as the 5th best team of the cap era?

If so, just call me Spelunky!

*dig dig dig*

 

[ChiHawks10]

People are so precious about that 2010 team.

It was a great team. It has been surpassed by others in years since, including another Blackhawks team.

Theres no great shame in it.

The 2014 Hawks team lost to the Kings by a lucky bounce in OT of a game 7. For you to say that the 2014 Kings team is better than the 2010 Hawks team is pretty silly, honestly. To say they'd lose in 7 also, when the 14 Hawks really shouldn't have lost in 7, is amusing. That 14 Hawks team should have gone back to back. They were dominating game 7 up until that lucky bounce in OT.

And your assessment of the 2016 Pens team... yeah... lol. One of the best teams of the cap era? From what I remember their defense was one of the worst I've ever seen win a Cup in the past 20+ years. From what I remember, they barely got past Tampa(and even Washington to an extent).

The 2010 and 2013 Hawks teams have an argument as the two best teams of the cap era. I don't think either the 14 Kings or 16 Pens have any business above either of them in a ranking.

Go look at the possession stats of that 2010 team. Lol.

 

[x Tame Impala]

If Q wasn’t dicking around with lineups and matchups that whole series against 2014 LA the Hawks would’ve won in 6 games. That Kings team was very, very good but they were by no means better than the 2010 team.

That’s a completely ridiculous thing to say JD. They’re neck and neck with the 2015 Cup squad if we’re being honest.

2016 Pens were an excellent team though. No problem with them being considered as top 5 best Cup winner since the lockout.

 

[x Tame Impala]

From what I remember, they barely got past Tampa(and even Washington to an extent).

It’s the playoffs. Lots of well-oiled machines to get past and lots of times great teams almost lost a series or two. 2010 and 2015 Hawks struggled against Nashville. 2011 Canucks almost blew a 3-1 series lead to a Hawks team with no depth, 2013 Hawks almost got blown out by the Red Wings.

The NHL playoffs are so special because even the best teams in the league can lose a series. It’s not the NBA where there’s no chance in some series.

 

[BobbyJet]

It’s the playoffs. Lots of well-oiled machines to get past and lots of times great teams almost lost a series or two. 2010 and 2015 Hawks struggled against Nashville. 2011 Canucks almost blew a 3-1 series lead to a Hawks team with no depth, 2013 Hawks almost got blown out by the Red Wings.

The NHL playoffs are so special because even the best teams in the league can lose a series. It’s not the NBA where there’s no chance in some series.

Exactly. It's what makes hockey the best sport in the world. Bar none.

 

[BobbyJet]

As the playoffs unwind, no matter what happens this week Gary Bettman and all involved deserve a huge applause for not only salvaging this NHL season but for making it a resounding success story and most importantly for protecting everyone in the NHL bubble.

 

[BK]

As the playoffs unwind, no matter what happens this week Gary Bettman and all involved deserve a huge applause for not only salvaging this NHL season but for making it a resounding success story and most importantly for protecting everyone in the NHL bubble.

They’ve done a great job.

 

[BobbyJet]

Oleksiak is closing in on the NHL record for most blocked shots in the playoffs. He has 24. The record is 28.... just sayin'.

Go Dallas. Take this to 7 games.

 

[Blackhawkswincup]

Coleman puts Lightning up 2-0 early in 2nd

 

[BobbyJet]

TB has played a pretty much perfect game. Stars need something, and quickly.

 

[RememberTheRoar]

I said this the other night, but is there a single forward on either of these teams that you can say Strome and DeBrincat work harder/play more aggressively than?

 

[RayP]

I said this the other night, but is there a single forward on either of these teams that you can say Strome and DeBrincat work harder/play more aggressively than?

I’m a little torn on answering that with Debrincat, mainly because when I really think about it the answer isn’t the one I’d like for it to be.


As for Strome..... it’s hilarious comparing him to any of these guys. Softer than Charmin.

 

[Kaners Bald Spot]

I said this the other night, but is there a single forward on either of these teams that you can say Strome and DeBrincat work harder/play more aggressively than?

No. Both are nice offensive players, but they're nothing to build around.

 

[RememberTheRoar]

I’m a little torn on answering that with Debrincat, mainly because when I really think about it the answer isn’t the one I’d like for it to be.


As for Strome..... it’s hilarious comparing him to any of these guys. Softer than Charmin.

DeBrincat showed the fire one game these playoffs (game Hawks won against Vegas, I believe.) That’s the DeBrincat the Hawks need, but we saw it once in nine games?

 

[Kaners Bald Spot]

I have no idea how the NHL is going to have a season with the following:
1. No bubble
2. US-Canadian border closure

The only viable way to have a season is to have a bubble in Canada again. Since the NHLPA won't agree to it, it looks like the NHL is on hold until Covid is under control, whenever that may be.