Razblo

On 8/26/2018 at 7:54 AM, IllaZilla said:

 

You're probably going to hear the argument now about if tanking and getting top three draft picks is the answer, why hasn't Edmonton won a Cup recently? They've had five Top Three picks in the last ten drafts (Hall #1, Nugent-Hopkins #1, Yakupov #1, Draisaitl #3, McDavid #1).

 

I'm not disagreeing with you. I do think having a game breaker is key to a Cup winning team, something the Wild lack. But there are other pieces that need to be in place too. Look at Chicago. Not only did they have the scoring with Kane and Toewes, they had the defending with Keith and Seabrook. Same with Pittsburgh. Malkin and Crosby for scoring and Fleury for goaltending.

 

I don't think there is one formula for Cup success, otherwise every team would be following it. Draft Player type-A, add Free agent types B, C and D, hire coach E, and Presto! You'll get the Cup!

 

The Wild are not a bad team, but I think what needs to be answered is why do they disappear in the Playoffs every year? Where are their leaders? Where is that player that will single-handedly pick up the team and carry it across the finish line? I think until those questions are answered, the Wild are going to be a team that has a great regular season but melts in the pressure cooker of the Playoffs... 

The Edmonton argument is a valid one. I think something can be said for the organization, and more specifically their previous GM, MacTavish, and their current GM, Chiarelli.

Every draft pick you mentioned was a forward (only top-10 pick they've spent on defense is Nurse?). Hall was traded and in his first year out of Edmonton he won MVP, Yakupov was a total bust, Nugent-Hopkins has shown promise at times but is injury prone, but Draisaitl and McDavid have shown promise. I don't like the Oilers looking at Chiarelli's trading (Hall and Eberle) and signing (Lucic) history they would be wise to dump him sooner rather than later.

On 8/23/2018 at 7:16 PM, EmptyShelf said:

Many years ago I heard LN say that the draft is sometimes 0, or 1-3 'sure things.'  He mentioned that 'tanking' is a reality if you truly want a Kane, Ovechkin, Toews, or Crosby.  Even then, you have to target the right draft.  Otherwise, he argued, you are always 'playing to make the playoffs' and looking for all things to just magically line up to win it all.  I am not a huge fan of his, but to Zilla's point, the drafts just aren't deep enough to plan on a 'difference maker' later than the top handful - and that's in a great draft.  So, do you tank, or do you strive to make the playoffs?  We know who has done the former, and we know the home team does the latter.

From my quick research, the last team to win a Stanley Cup that DID NOT have a 'home grown' top-3 overall draft pick on their roster was the 2008 Red Wings. It is up for debate how much each player contributed to their team's success (Seguin). It is also worth noting that in the past 10 years, 3 teams account for 8 of those championships, but that doesn't change the fact that high draft picks are major contributors to the teams that are regularly contending for a Stanley Cup.

2018 - Capitals; Ovechkin (drafted #1)

2017 - Pens; Crosby (#1), Fleury (#1), Malkin (#2)

2016 - Pens; Crosby (#1), Fleury (#1), Malkin (#2)

2015 - Blackhawks; Kane (#1), Toews (#3)

2014 - Kings; Doughty (#2)

2013 - Blackhawks; Kane (#1), Toews (#3)

2012 - Kings; Doughty (#2)

2011 - Bruins; Seguin (#2)

2010 - Blackhawks; Kane (#1), Toews (#3)

2009 - Pens; Crosby (#1), Fleury (#1), Malkin (#2)

If Suter (or Parise) ever goes on the forever LTIR, ala Pronger or Hossa, we can just trade him to Phoenix with a couple of bum prospects for a bag potatoes and a slightly worse draft pick.