[The Yen Man]

Originally Posted by AustinL_NHL

My point is that while there are more teams to beat out this year, the fact that whoever wins is going to have a massive asterisk in the minds of the majority of fans and players completely eliminates the validity of whoever wins the Cup this season no matter how difficult it is, which is why I have zero problem taking the 1/8 shot at Lafreniere.

The amount of things effecting the validity of the Cup winner this season is just beyond salvageable.

- 4 months in-between the final Regular Season game and the start of the Playoffs.
- Enough time for players to heal their injuries and be ready for the Playoffs when they otherwise would've missed.
- Players potentially opting out of participating. If a player of significance decides to opt out, that seals the deal in my opinion. Especially if it's a significant player from a Cup favorite.
- The fact that reporters are saying a large group - if not a majority - of players say they don't even want to return to play this season. They care much more about the money.
- On that note, the fact players won't have anywhere near the same level of competitiveness, intensity and drive to win this year versus previous years.
- The fact games will be played in empty stadiums.
- The fact there won't be any parade or celebration for the team who wins the Cup.
- Etc, etc..

Even if the Flames were to win the Cup, they're not going to get any respect from opposing teams and fans. Us Flames fans wouldn't even be able to enjoy it. Same goes to any team that wins it.

Simply put, the Stanley Cup has never had this low of value.

That's definitely your opinion, and not one that I share at all. You bet I'll cheer my butt off if the Flames win the cup. No one says Chicago won 2.5 cups in the past decade.