Vegas Golden Knights - One of the Greatest Franchises Already?

[Richard]

If you examine the quality of the league, the depth of competition, and the parity of knowledge around the NHL is there a better franchise, in perhaps all of sports, than the Golden Knights?

Expansion team in 2018 -- been to three cups, won one (so far). 8 playoff seasons out of 9 years.

What makes this MORE impressive is this is being done in a 32 team league with parity insurance (aka salary cap).

It is being done in the era of the internet and instant communications - a scout can watch almost any player at any time.

It is being done without any goofy or artificial enhancements (Montreal getting pick of the French Canadian litter, etc.)

Finally it is being done with free and full access to different player sources (Europe - dead Wings can't draft all the Russians in the 7th round).

With all that being said, if the Knights win the cup this year, I don't think there really is a better franchise in sport. IS there?

I know the Knights will be the class of the NHL that's for sure. Who can best them? You cannot trot out some 50's canadians teams when they were playing in a 6 team league in which two of the teams were ALWAYS dogshit (literally from 1941 to 1970 the Blackhawks won one cup and the bruins won in 1970 original six was a THREE team league).

 

[wgknestrick]

They are S tier cap manipulators. Again, the NHL needs to close this LTIR loophole as just about every cup champion has won the cup through it's > $10M hole.

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

They are the model organization.

Already in year 7 of their contention window, in their 3rd cup final , always make the right moves at the right times.


And they didn’t need to tank to do it hmmm

If they win this series I think they’re cemented as the best franchise around right now

 

[Hockeyholic]

In history or in the past decade? If it's the latter--sure. Definitely not the former.

Since 1979: Leafs have 12 series wins. 4 CF trips. 0 SCF trips.

Since 2017 inception: Vegas have 14 series wins. 5 CF trips including 3 SCF trips. 1 cup win (thus far)

 

[Megustaelhockey]

I read this, but I think I need to lie down.

 

[tfwnogf]

Easily. They are up there with some of the hottest starts ever. 80s Oilers are probably the gold standard for hot starts, but you have the 70s Flyers too.

 

[FinlandPanther]

Very good organization.

 

[Boreal01]

Will surpass the Lightning and Panthers for #1 team of the decade status if they can win this series

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

In history or in the past decade? If it's the latter--sure. Definitely not the former.

Since 1979: Leafs have 12 series wins. 4 CF trips. 0 SCF trips.

Since 2017 inception: Vegas have 14 series wins. 5 CF trips including 3 SCF trips. 1 cup win (thus far)

okay but literally any franchise looks good compared to the Leafs by those metrics.

 

[Hockeyholic]

They are the model organization.

Already in year 7 of their contention window, in their 3rd cup final , always make the right moves at the right times.


And they didn’t need to tank to do it hmmm

If they win this series I think they’re cemented as the best franchise around right now

Successful? Yes.

Though, they would be the type of organization to fire a HC if the team slumped the season after winning three straight cups with said HC.

Personally, I don't mind the lack of loyalty. But I could see why others would.

 

[Hockeyholic]

okay but literally any franchise looks good compared to the Leafs by those metrics.

It's embarassing that the Leafs have a 38 year head start. And they can't win more series than an 8 year old team. That's all.

 

[Hockeyholic]

Will surpass the Lightning and Panthers for #1 team of the decade status if they can win this series

Both of those teams went to three straight SCF. Back to back cups.

 

[Frank the Tank]

Both of those teams went to three straight SCF. Back to back cups.

Yeah, but have those teams been to 3 SCF in 9 seasons?

 

[Boreal01]

Both of those teams went to three straight SCF. Back to back cups.

Vegas has another 2 CF appearances with far and away the most dominant SCF victory

 

[Hockeyholic]

Yeah, but have those teams been to 3 SCF in 9 seasons?

Cups are what matters. If Vegas wins this year, the conversation can definitely be had.

 

[Hockeyholic]

Vegas has another 2 CF appearances with far and away the most dominant SCF victory

TB dominated Montreal though

 

[hairylikebear]

They've done an exemplary job so far, but greatness is evaluated over a much longer window. I need to see how they handle their lowest points too.

 

[CTHabsfan]

They've done an exemplary job so far, but greatness is evaluated over a much longer window. I need to see how they handle their lowest points too.

Their lowest point was when they missed the playoffs in 2022. VGK handled things pretty well in 2023.

 

[hairylikebear]

Their lowest point was when they missed the playoffs in 2022. VGK handled things pretty well in 2023.

Half the league misses the playoffs, that's not the kind of lowest point I'm talking about. Eventually they are going to seriously struggle. The great franchises all have multiple dynastic eras. The Golden Knights, to their credit, formed one immediately.

 

[Frank the Tank]

Cups are what matters. If Vegas wins this year, the conversation can definitely be had.

I was being sarcastic (hence the emoji).

You rightfully pointed out that 2 other NHL teams have won Cups back-to-back and made 3 straight SCF in this decade, and yet the OP and numerous posters are glazing Vegas as the best ever for making the SCF 3 times in 9 seasons and winning 1 (so far).

Heck, under this standard the Oilers have a 6 season window to win the Cup and be another "greatest franchise in sports."

 

[NVious]

They have the greatest athlete of a generation who has endured more pain and suffering than any human in existence

I believe he is a descendant of the Count of Saint Germain (his ability to withstand eternal darkness is not human)

 

[Richard]

In history or in the past decade? If it's the latter--sure. Definitely not the former.

Since 1979: Leafs have 12 series wins. 4 CF trips. 0 SCF trips.

Since 2017 inception: Vegas have 14 series wins. 5 CF trips including 3 SCF trips. 1 cup win (thus far)

Honestly, I am counting the modern NHL as beginning around 1980 but probably 1994. Stretching back through the seeds of time there is no franchise I think better in league history. The closest is perhaps Philadelphia as they had to build from scratch to win back to back and were routinely very good (with a couple dips) till the 90's.

I am throwing out all the original six bullshit as teams like Montreal and Toronto has huge advantages in rules and scouting. Fully half the league (Chicago, New York, and Boston) were chumps and push overs.

The original expansion years was the equivalent of taking ECHLers and sticking them on a franchise.

This was a little easier than the 90's expansion but the league is so much harder to win a cup now as the 80's.

16 of 21 teams made the playoffs
1 of 21 won the cup

16 of 32 make the playoffs
1 of 32 win the cup

As a Penguin fan, there isn't a better franchise in the league.

 

[CTHabsfan]

Half the league misses the playoffs, that's not the kind of lowest point I'm talking about. Eventually they are going to seriously struggle. The great franchises all have multiple dynastic eras. The Golden Knights, to their credit, formed one immediately.

I realize you weren't referring to one season without making the playoffs being a true low point, but that's the lowest Vegas has gone. How many times have we heard Vegas can't continue with this kind of success, only to have them succeed?

 

[WetcoastOrca]

They are a top notch organization that focuses on winning. I can’t think of another organization that would have the balls to fire a top notch coach like Cassidy when they are right in the middle of a playoff fight near the end of the season. Hiring Torts completely changed the team.

 

[hairylikebear]

I realize you weren't referring to one season without making the playoffs being a true low point, but that's the lowest Vegas has gone. How many times have we heard Vegas can't continue with this kind of success, only to have them succeed?

I've never personally believed that Vegas can't continue their success in the short term. They surprised me when they missed the playoffs, not when they recovered.

I'm not comfortable extrapolating greatness out of an 8 year window. That's a high standard and a low sample size compared to the Red Wings or Habs.