Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - Do you think this team's core has Stanley Cup potential?

GranteedEV · 08-03-2017, 06:58 PM

I look at the centre position of cup winning teams since the 05 Lockout:

Brind'amour/Staal
McDonald/Getzlaf
Datsyuk/Zetterberg
Crosby/Malkin/Staal
Toews
Bergeron/Krejci
Kopitar/Richards
Toews
Kopitar/Carter
Toews
Crosby/Malkin/Bonino/Cullen
Crosby/Malkin/Bonino/Cullen

And I am not sure we have a 1 that can stack up. I think Backlund is fine as a 2 but we need a center who can be point-per-game over 20-25 playoff games away from Gaudreau. Bennett's struggles last year really hurt my optimism as he was supposed to develop into a guy who could make you pay for keying in on Gaudreau's line. Maybe a PPG away from Gaudreau is extreme, but we do need a big 5 on 5 producer who can get it done from the center position. I am happy with both our powerplay units.

I like Jankowski and Bennett and hope they can elevate us to the next level. But right now they don't stack up to guys like Matthews in Toronto, which is why people have a team like Toronto expected to do very well.

08-03-2017, 06:58 PM	#9
GranteedEV Franchise Player Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Calgary Exp:	I look at the centre position of cup winning teams since the 05 Lockout: Brind'amour/Staal McDonald/Getzlaf Datsyuk/Zetterberg Crosby/Malkin/Staal Toews Bergeron/Krejci Kopitar/Richards Toews Kopitar/Carter Toews Crosby/Malkin/Bonino/Cullen Crosby/Malkin/Bonino/Cullen And I am not sure we have a 1 that can stack up. I think Backlund is fine as a 2 but we need a center who can be point-per-game over 20-25 playoff games away from Gaudreau. Bennett's struggles last year really hurt my optimism as he was supposed to develop into a guy who could make you pay for keying in on Gaudreau's line. Maybe a PPG away from Gaudreau is extreme, but we do need a big 5 on 5 producer who can get it done from the center position. I am happy with both our powerplay units. I like Jankowski and Bennett and hope they can elevate us to the next level. But right now they don't stack up to guys like Matthews in Toronto, which is why people have a team like Toronto expected to do very well. __________________ "May those who accept their fate find happiness. May those who defy it find glory." Last edited by GranteedEV; 08-03-2017 at 07:02 PM.