Blues Off-season and 2024-25 Season

[Popeye_Card]

Food for thought in case you cannot decide who to pull for in this series.

If the Panthers win, the Blues end up as the ultimate playoff losers. They lost to the team in the first round, that lost to the team in the second round, that lost to the team in the CF, that lost to the team in the SCF.

Do you really want the Blues to suffer the indignity of being the ultimate losers?

[GeddyWrox]

I really, really dislike Connor McDavid. He's a prick. Best player in the league? Probably. But also a huge douche canoe.

Other than Marchand (also a douche canoe), I like the Panthers. Especially for Tkachuk and Mikkola. Bobrovski is a great netminder, too.

I hate pulling for a team with Marchand on it, but I kinda am at this point.

[thrill]

Gotta give it to to Bill Zito. He inherited a great core entering their prime, made the big tough call to trade Huberdeau for Tkachuk, and acquired a ton of guys at their lowest value (Bennett, Reinhart, Jones, Marchand) who fit Maurice’s system, and has made great moves out of dumpster diving (Forsling, Greer, Gadjovich).

In today’s cap era, you kind of have to hit on everything to build a dynasty, and they have.

[Popeye_Card]

Going back to when the state of Florida was awarded their first NHL franchise (1992).

Florida (2 teams): 5 Stanley Cups
Canada (7 teams): 1 Stanley Cup

Or if you want to go with all sun belt teams, you have 10 Stanley Cups in that timeframe (TB 3, FLA 2, LA 2, CAR 1, DAL 1, LV 1).

The hockey gods can be quite cruel.

[GeddyWrox]

Spot on, Popeye.

I do wish Canada would win a cup or two soon. The country deserves it. I have liked the Senators ever since they came back into existence in the 90s. Wish they could win one. Or Berube in Toronto. Heck, even Montreal.

But it's hard for me to root for Edmonton or Winnipeg at this point.

[thrill]

In order of my preferred Canadian winners:

Flames
Sens
Habs
Jets
Oil
Leafs








Canucks

[GeddyWrox]

I forgot about the Flames. Yeah, I wouldn't mind them, either. My list in order:

Sens
Leafs (mainly for Berube)
Flames
Habs



Jets




'Nucks
Oilers

[GeddyWrox]

Just started the 25-26 season thread:
https://gatewayredbirds.org/forum/viewt ... 12&t=70498