Last 15 Cup winning teams, had Lidstrom, Niedermayer, Hatcher (in prime) Bourque, Pronger, Letang, Keith, Chara, Doughty.

A coincidence? I think not.

Only the Hurricanes, and Lightning didn't really have legit top pairing # 1 guys.
- PLindbergh31

Edmonton and Calgary should have won.

A #1 would help. Or you can do it with a solid 1-6 and good forward play and superb goaltending like Carolina or TB.
- jmatchett383

Yes. But recent history shows teams that have that # 1 stud win a high % of the time.

Okay. Then we have to be one of those 2/15. And for the record, I didn't consider D. Hatcher to ever be a #1 defenseman.
- jmatchett383

Yes. But recent history shows teams that have that # 1 stud win a high % of the time.
- PLindbergh31

Again, then we can just be one of the few that did it without one.

Okay. Then we have to be one of those 2/15. And for the record, I didn't consider D. Hatcher to ever be a #1 defenseman.
- jmatchett383

You might have the Flyers version of Hatcher on your mind. In his prime he was one of the tougher D-men in the NHL to play against. A top pairing defensive defenseman.

You might have the Flyers version of Hatcher on your mind. In his prime he was one of the tougher D-men in the NHL to play against. A top pairing defensive defenseman.
- PLindbergh31

With the Dallas Stars he was a man bear pig

You might have the Flyers version of Hatcher on your mind. In his prime he was one of the tougher D-men in the NHL to play against. A top pairing defensive defenseman.
- PLindbergh31

I guess if we're consider top-end 6-tool defenseman to only ever have to achieve a career-high of 31 points in a season, then Kimmo Timonen is a HOFer.

Edit: I know that Hatcher was a top-pair shutdown player, but he was never what I'd consider a "true #1" because he couldn't do it at both ends.

You might have the Flyers version of Hatcher on your mind. In his prime he was one of the tougher D-men in the NHL to play against. A top pairing defensive defenseman.
- PLindbergh31

Glad the Eagles didn't try to trade for that QB known as Alex Smith.. , I thought he would of been an excellent fit for the Birds..

Glad the Eagles didn't try to trade for that QB known as Alex Smith.. , I thought he would of been an excellent fit for the Birds..
- bigmookalookie

Mookie! Andy Reid is doing ok huh? I guess it's because he took over a 2-14 team that had 5 pro-bowlers on the roster.

Last 15 Cup winning teams, had Lidstrom, Niedermayer, Hatcher (in prime) Bourque, Pronger, Letang, Keith, Chara, Doughty.

A coincidence? I think not.

Only the Hurricanes, and Lightning didn't really have legit top pairing # 1 guys.
- PLindbergh31

Didn't the lightning have Boyle? Not a superstar but really good. I'm of the mind that u need that stud 1 dman to win.

Mookie! Andy Reid is doing ok huh? I guess it's because he took over a 2-14 team that had 5 pro-bowlers on the roster.
- PLindbergh31

And had the #1 overall pick. And got a legit QB.

i swear you people can't ever be happy

I guess if we're consider top-end 6-tool defenseman to only ever have to achieve a career-high of 31 points in a season, then Kimmo Timonen is a HOFer.

Edit: I know that Hatcher was a top-pair shutdown player, but he was never what I'd consider a "true #1" because he couldn't do it at both ends.
- jmatchett383

He didn't need to with Zubov on the other side. Those two were a legit top pairing together.

I guess if we're consider top-end 6-tool defenseman to only ever have to achieve a career-high of 31 points in a season, then Kimmo Timonen is a HOFer.

Edit: I know that Hatcher was a top-pair shutdown player, but he was never what I'd consider a "true #1" because he couldn't do it at both ends.
- jmatchett383

Fair enough. He was never great on the offensive side of the puck. He was very difficult to play against though.

Last 15 Cup winning teams, had Lidstrom, Niedermayer, Hatcher (in prime) Bourque, Pronger, Letang, Keith, Chara, Doughty.

A coincidence? I think not.

Only the Hurricanes, and Lightning didn't really have legit top pairing # 1 guys.
- PLindbergh31

That's why we got Kuba a few years later. We like guys with locker room presence... Examples: Gill and Shelley. They get this team where it needs to be

Fair enough. He was never great on the offensive side of the puck. He was very difficult to play against though.
- PLindbergh31

Absolutely he was. Definitely a top-pair player in Dallas and his first year in Detroit.

He didn't need to with Zubov on the other side. Those two were a legit top pairing together.
- bradleyc4

And that's the point, that you need the right mix.
But, yes, a clear-cut #1 would help.

Yes. But recent history shows teams that have that # 1 stud win a high % of the time.
- PLindbergh31

When I thought we had a real shot to land suter or weber in 2012, I was really excited. IMO u need that to contend.

Mookie! Andy Reid is doing ok huh? I guess it's because he took over a 2-14 team that had 5 pro-bowlers on the roster.
- PLindbergh31

Andy has a legit QB, a competent coaching staff, and does the head coaching gig, no longer a everything kind of guy. I watch Alex Smith and see what a good QB can do.... I see Foles throw ground balls and see what a old Andy pick can do

When I thought we had a real shot to land suter or weber in 2012, I was really excited. IMO u need that to contend.
- Hextall271

They help. But I'll take my team of Desjardins ca. 1997 and Timonen ca. 2008 and take them against any defense in the league.

Not that you would be able to have a team of 6 "next step down" guys like them with the cap.

Now that Snider has given Homer a vote of confidence, how many days/weeks until Hexy is promoted?

Now that Snider has given Homer a vote of confidence, how many days/weeks until Hexy is promoted?
- feelingkettle

It has already happened, Snider is allowing Homer to make one more trade before letting him go. Hexy pulling the strings as we speak

It has already happened, Snider is allowing Homer to make one more trade before letting him go. Hexy pulling the strings as we speak
- bigmookalookie

A sympathy trade...one for the good ol days. Fascinating.

By the way, Valeri "the next Eric Lindros" Nichuskin absolutely tearing it up in Dallas.

By the way, Valeri "the next Eric Lindros" Nichuskin absolutely tearing it up in Dallas.
- jmatchett383

if only we lost our last games right?