Quote:
Originally Posted by Enoch Root
St Louis is AN example, not THE example. There are lots of examples of teams that haven't put it together then, one key addition or whatever, and it all comes together.
There have been a few really good teams recently that dominated the Cup (Chicago, Pittsburgh and LA), but that is not always the case.
Prior to winning in 04, Tampa had missed the playoffs 6 years in a row, then lost in the 2nd round in 03. After winning, they lost in the 1st round the next 2 years, then missed the playoffs the next 3
Prior to winning in 06, Carolina missed the playoffs twice, then went to the conference finals, then missed the playoffs twice, in the 5 years leading up to the Cup. Then they missed the playoffs the next 2 years after.
Prior to winning in 07, the Ducks missed the playoffs 3 times, then went to the finals, then missed, then went to the 3rd round in the 5 years prior. After the Cup, they lost in the 1st round.
The Capitals, prior to winning in 18, lost in the 1st round, missed the playoffs, then lost in the 2nd round 3 years in a row before winning. The next year, they lost in the 1st round. And everyone said Ovechkin couldn't win a Cup (until he did)
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Do you ever ask yourself what those teams did during the preceding time frame or are you content to view this as non linear progression and call it a day?
Anaheim made 4 top 10 picks, drafted twice in the first round in 2003 and then moved 2 of their top 10 picks plus another first rounder for maybe the best player in the league at the time. 4 picks in the first three rounds in back to back years.
The canes made 3 top 5 picks in a row. Their highest pick scored 28 points in 25 playoff games the year they won.
Washington drafted in the first round every year save one. They drafted 6 times in the 2nd round over that time. Washington just payed that forward by moving a 2013 first round pick for a 2nd and a 3rd. That's the Monahan draft.
These teams you're using as examples for core groups turning things around aren't actually doing that. You're describing teams building new core groups and a team in Washington that continued to draft frequently.
The flames aren't comparable to either group because they aren't drafting with the necessary regularity, but when they do they are walking away with players like Rasmus, Dube Valimaki and Tkachuk.
The solution couldn't be more stark.