Don’t understand the Canadian teams Vs American teams thing.
Teams in lower tax state will help, nicer weather too but you can’t tell me if Panthers, or the past 5Cup winners, switched with any Canadian teams roster and MGT, that team won’t win the Cup like they did.
We can continue to say it is a conspiracy from Bettman or reffing in the finals(mainly just that no goal call in the Flames Final) but we also have to admit that Canadians teams over the past 30 yrs just wasn’t as good as the rest of the league.
Before McD, the top 3-5players always played in the States. Price is literally the only top 3 goalies who played in Canada since Roy got traded to Avs. Until now with Demko and Helle playing for Nucks and Jets.
It has been done but not very often. I agree with you. GMs of Canadian teams have it tough but you have to be competent to have a chance (except if your name is Bergevin who was not and got a kick at the can, thanks to you know who).
I'll take losing in the SCF over round #1 all day long. How about you? Ask the Panthers what they learned losing in the SCF last year? Gotta get to the door to break it down.
If the Leafs made it to the Finals, at least some of their usual excuses will make sense like we are close, we are right there, the bounces just didn’t go our way, a good lesson, respect in the handshake line…