Connor McDavid injured vs. Blue Jackets, won't return (upd: out 2 to 3 weeks)

[daver]

It was an above-average team I would say, as was Florida. Bouchard was also exceptional

I didn't say they were an average team relative to the league, I said they were an average SC finalist relative to the past 15 to 20 SC finalists.

I don't think they were necessarily a good goalie away from winning because, as you noted, they got close because Bobrosky lost a game or two for Florida. Florida was the better team, not just in goaltending.

Perhaps they will build on that this year, we shall see. It's pretty common for teams to get back to the SCFs the next year or the year after that.

 

[daver]

Wait. A team that went to the finals 2 years in a row is an average SC winner? Could have potentially won 2 years in a row had Tkachuk not got injured in the finals.

I hate the Panthers, but calling them an average SC winner is a very bad take.

Better recent SC winners -

Both Tampa Bay winners
The 2016 Pens (maybe 2017)
The 2013 and 2015 Hawks
2014 Kings
Maybe the 2009 Pens
2008 Wings

So, IMO, they are in the middle of the pack of SC winners in the past 15 to 20 years, as are the Oilers in the middle of the pack of SC losers.

 

[Three On Zero]

Should be about half way through the quickest recovery time estimated and Edmonton took 4/6 points. Hopefully they don’t try and rush him back. They just need to win one of the next two against Vegas/Vancouver, likely Vancouver but it still sets them up good for McDavid to recovery properly without hitting the panic button.

 

[Duke74]

It's not even about that. The idea that Draisaitl is not a f***ing phenomenal hockey player without McDavid is literal insanity. It shows extreme levels of stupidity at best, troll-level analysis at worst. It's dishonest, and the discussion is stupid. Same shit that Malkin dealt with his entire career.

I've watched Draisaitl enough with my own eyes to know that he is outstanding whether or not McDavid is on the ice.

This isn't necessarily directed at you, moreso just the general debate.

Excellent post. Certain fans will bend over backwards trying to discredit him when there's no basis for doing so.

 

[Video Nasty]

Better recent SC winners -

Both Tampa Bay winners
The 2016 Pens (maybe 2017)
The 2013 and 2015 Hawks
2014 Kings
Maybe the 2009 Pens
2008 Wings

So, IMO, they are in the middle of the pack of SC winners in the past 15 to 20 years, as are the Oilers in the middle of the pack of SC losers.

Calling foul on you claiming Florida is middle of the pack. This is an excellent team that won the President’s trophy two seasons ago and made the Stanley Cup Finals over the season prior, defeating three of the top four teams in terms of total points to get there. They defeated the President’s trophy winner to get back to the Finals.

The dust has already settled on all those teams you just mentioned, so I don’t see the point in even comparing them yet. What if Florida gets back again and god forbid, what if they repeat? Suddenly they’re right there with that grouping, no questions asked.

 

[gretzkyoilers]

I agree with most of your points with exception that the Oilers are a better team on paper as I believe the oldest team in the NHL has never won the Cup...the season is a grind as is the playoffs, you need youth.

Dare I say it but losing Broberg and Holloway does sting...I really liked those two kids....