Zzeke

Do NHL teams need a superstar to win the CUP? Found some references that make us think about teams that have won a Stanley Cup in the salary cap era without superstars in their prime. The Los Angeles Kings won a pair of Stanley Cups (2012, 2014) with Anze Kopitar up front and Drew Doughty on the back. Doughty is considered one of the best defensemen in the game, and Kopitar is an annual Selke Trophy contender as best defensive forward. However, neither player is a generational talent. Los Angeles amassed as much shot blocking, physical, defensively responsible talent as the law allowed, then sprinkled in a few players like Marian Gaborik and Jeff Carter for just enough offense to win a pair of Cups. In 2013-14, the Kings allowed the second-fewest Corsi-Against (shots/shot attempts). It was nearly impossible to score against them. It was the same story in 2011-12. In fact, in 2011-12, the Kings also scored the second-fewest goals. The didn’t drive their Corsi through the roof with puck possession; they did it by taking away space. The 2010-11 Boston Bruins had Patrice Bergeron at center and Zdeno Chara on the blue line. They too were a physical, pounding bunch who won a Stanley Cup and advanced to another Stanley Cup Final by preventing their opponents from scoring and finding just enough offense. The 2011 Bruins had average regular season analytics but caught fire late in the season and steam-rolled through the playoffs. Those teams didn’t have a prolific scorer like Patrick Kane or anything close to a Sidney Crosby. It’s debatable the Kings or Bruins Cup teams even had a “Phil Kessel” type scorer. The 2017-18 Vegas Golden Knights almost pulled off the same feat. In the 2018-19 season, the Winnipeg Jets and Bruins also knocked on the door with deep rosters but a lack of household names in their prime. But a superstar sure does make things easier. Commonalities - Defense Responsibility: The commonalities of the last half dozen teams to win the Stanley Cup may seem small, but they’re significant. No team has won the Stanley Cup with firewagon hockey, or by trying to outscore their opponents. It may seem weirdly antithetical, but the strategy is not to score more goals than the opponent. To win 43 pounds of silver, it’s about preventing the opponent from scoring more goals than you. Hmm. Sounds like AV. Under Vigneault, Vancouver won back-to-back Presidents' Trophies (2010–11 and 2011–12) and made one Stanley Cup Finals appearance (2011). In his first season with New York, he led the Rangers to their first Stanley Cup Finals appearance (2014) in 20 years. In his second year with the Philadelphia Flyers, Vigneault led his team to _ _ _ _ _ _

A plus for Columbus? - - PATRIK LAINE RW, COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen already had a working relationship with Patrik Laine thanks to Laine's time with Finland's World Cup squad. The Blue Jackets got Laine from Columbus in a blockbuster trade involving Pierre-Luc Dubois. Kekalainen has already spoken to Laine and the general manager reported, "When I talked to him, he sounded very excited to come to Columbus, so that's a great start." If Laine is happy in Columbus, then this trade should work out great for them. It's very rare to find a player with Laine's goal scoring abilities. He's the best goal scorer the Blue Jackets have had since Rick Nash. The big X-Factor here is that Laine will be a restricted free agent this offseason. We'll see how those negotiations go and if both sides will agree on a long-term deal. SOURCE: Jeff Svoboda on Twitter Jan 23, 2021, 12:12 PM ET

Sad, but true. I'm with you. Old-school to some degree. The only guy that could seek Marchand to give him a whipping is Laughton. And, maybe Voracek if Marchand dirty sticks him.

I wonder if Columbus GM Kekäläinen being a Finn, and knowing/wanting Laine who is a Finn, might play into a plus for Winnipeg GM Cheveldayoff in the trade? Just a random thought.

Agree with you here. Good thinking. Although, with prospect depth at RW (Sandin, Allison, Foerster), Brink could be on the table.

Marchand - - famous for his stick-work - - will he get his 'due' tonight?

Article at Broad Street Buzz last night - But what would a trade between the Flyers and the Blue Jackets look like? Ultimately it would be tough to say, as we do not know how they value our players, but as a starting point you would most likely need to include Nolan Patrick in any deal involving Dubois, plus prospects and picks. It would allow Columbus to receive a center back, and one with the potential to be a first line center, if not a very high level second line center. The Flyers should not hold any prospect off the trade table. Zamula? York? Brink? The hard truth is that, with all the prospects drafted under Hextall and Fletcher, there is no realistic way that they would all make the big club. Columbus needs not only talent, but players that can remain under their control, as they have found it difficult to retain players like Duchene, Panarin, Bobrovsky, and now Pierre-Luc Dubois. What better way then to grab skilled prospects that can remain cost controlled on your roster for years? The need for a big move to shake up the current [Flyers] roster is not only needed, but warranted. We’ve already seen the impact of what Kevin Hayes has brought to the team, the first big move by Chuck Fletcher.

Ah, Podein25 may be right. He is there. Eklund 5 minutes ago here on Saturday morning 1/23/21 - Winnipeg’s Secret Weapon to land PLD. Jackets moving quickly. 6 Teams The Hockey rumor world this morning to be sure as the Blue Jackets continue to try and make a deal to send Pierre-Luc Dubois to a new destination. The original thought that the Jackets would be patient appears to be fading fast. Many teams are making pitches right now. Winnipeg, NYR, Montreal, Anaheim, NJ and LA are all still in it I am told. The Jets might be the best bet. Whoever trades for Pierre-Luc Dubois is getting him for 4 years, so where PLD wants to play is basically irrelevant. However, of course you want him to be happy and Winnipeg may have a secret weapon in this fight....his dad. Dubois dad, Eric, is an assistant coach for the Jets farm team, the Manitoba Moose...so that would hold some appeal to Pierre. The Jets also have Patrik Laine, who would be an incredible boost to the Jackets scoring and is loved by Jackets GM Kekalainen...It is also possible that the Jets could make this trade without Laine, but less likely for sure. The Jackets need to make this deal soon as their 1-3 start in a short season could become a 1-4 start with another loss to Tampa....It was just a few years ago the jackets got off to an 0-7 start and never fully recovered. A few teams have already been told they are out of the bidding on Dubois, so that generally means we are getting down to it. One team was told the decision coming was in the “next 1 or 2 days...”

PIERRE-LUC DUBOIS C, COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS The Canadiens, Jets and Ducks are the front-runners to acquire Pierre-Luc Dubois, per The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun. Blue Jackets beat reported Aaron Portzline confirmed LeBrun's report. Several other reports are suggesting that a trade could be completed as early as tomorrow or at some point this weekend. Dubois has wanted out of Columbus since before the start of training camp and it looks like he's about to get his wish. Of course, he isn't leaving the organization on the best terms as he was benched in Thursday's game against Tampa Bay. The 22-year-old would be a major addition for any team in the league, but Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen has to make sure he gets enough in return for Dubois' services. Patrik Laine's name has come up a lot in these trade rumors. It'll be interesting to see what happens over the next few days. RELATED: Patrik Laine SOURCE: Pierre LeBrun on Twitter Jan 23, 2021, 12:05 AM ET

Marchand | Ovechkin war coming - ALEX OVECHKIN LW, WASHINGTON CAPITALS Boston Bruins winger Brad Marchand called out Alex Ovechkin for breaching the COVID-19 rules. There is no love lost between the two and Marchand put in his two cents worth Friday. “I think the big thing is, it’s more of a respect thing,” Marchand said. “We all want to be able to play, and there’s rules put in place for a reason. They’re not that hard to follow. We all know the consequences of breaking the rules, and we know what the rules are. So they brought that on themselves. We’ve all been told very heavily what we’re allowed to do and what we’re not allowed to do, so it is what it is on their side of things.” We can't wait for Saturday January 29 when the two teams meet again as it is the first possible time for Ovechkin and his three teammates to be eligible to return. SOURCE: NBC Sports Washington Jan 23, 2021, 8:31 AM ET But first, Marchand will be dispensed by our Flyers tonight in Game 6 as Friedman is back:

I messed-up. I should have posted this in the 'PLD Has Asked for a Trade' thread. Can someone with the capability please move these 8 posts on PLD to that thread? Thx. Rookie error.

Good valid points on Pronger's age and stage. Also, we noted in the last 2 games, the rotation of the defencemen necessitated Sanheim to play the right side at times. An adjustment. We will be patient on Sanheim.

I don't get those being down on the 24 year old, 6-4, Sanheim, and only after 5 games. I suspect that the focus by some is that he is soft because he tries to avoid hits, without those also focusing on all of his attributes as our Flyers #2 defenceman: age, length, poke-check, D-zone positioning, minimal turn-overs, good D-zone exit passing, excellent skater, will join the rush and is dangerous in the offensive zone, excellent shot, good on the Power Play point when needed, good on PK. The 24 year old Sanheim has up-side as he has only 2 full NHL seasons and has not reached his peak. It's common for young talented defencemen to take approx 3-4 full seasons to fully mature in the NHL game. Wise GMs know that and won't panic and trade. A good example comes to mind - - young Pronger was slow to develop and after 2 seasons Hartford traded him to St Louis for a forward. It took him 2 more seasons in St Louis to become a + player. In his 5th season he emerged with a +47 year and went on to become an all-star. I'm not saying Sanheim will become a Pronger, but I am saying patience is in order for a young promising defenceman with skills. Fletcher won't panic. And, it's much harder for NHL teams to build a quality defense unit than the forward lines. GM Fletcher on Oct 17, 2020: I think [Ivan] Provorov’s elite defensively, [Travis] Sanheim and Myers, in my opinion, will become elite shutdown defensemen in this league. The 30 other GM would salavate at getting Sanheim. And, of course, our Flyers 3 defencemen on the Protected List for the July Expansion Draft will be Provorov, Sanheim, and Myers (the #1, #2, and #3 defencemen). Just IMO.

Yes, Comcast is Philly based. Also, Comcast owns NBC and the Flyers. So, NHL games could shift to another NBC network, as the article states, or the NHL could contract with the competing FOX network which may be a good move. Excerpt: The NHL has made it clear that it wants to split its rights between at least two TV outlets. NBC has told the NHL that it would carve out regular windows on its broadcast channel and USA Network.

SAMUEL MORIN D, PHILADELPHIA FLYERS Samuel Morin has been loaned to Philadelphia's taxi squad. Morin was a healthy scratch on Thursday against Boston. He hasn't played yet this season. SOURCE: Philadelphia Flyers on Twitter Jan 22, 2021, 4:02 PM ET This must mean someone is back to the 23-player roster. Perhaps Ghost. Also, defenceman Friedman is okay and will play in Game 6 Saturday night.

Something like this would be great, but no chance: 1a) Giroux-Couturier-Voracek 1b) Dubois-Hayes-Farabee 1c) Lindblom-Patrick-Konecny 4) Raffl-Laughton-NAK Someone above must go in the trade. Who? Plus Frost? (But, he is out injured long term.) Columbus will not want JVR IMO. Low probability for our Flyers.

moved to Game 6 thread

This weekend's trade - PIERRE-LUC DUBOIS C, COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS According to TSN's Darren Dreger, the Columbus Blue Jackets are closing in on a trade involving Pierre-Luc Dubois. Dubois' desire to get out of Columbus has been well-documented, but things took an ugly turn last night when head coach John Tortorella benched the young forward for the second, third and overtime periods. Dreger didn't mention who the favorite to land the 22-year-old is, but he said that the Winnipeg Jets are still involved and that some teams have been told that they're out of the running. It sounds like Dubois will finally get his wish at some point this weekend. SOURCE: Darren Dreger on Twitter Jan 22, 2021, 7:52 PM ET