Stanley Cup

No. I knew the Disney fix was in when a deliberate knee-on-knee hit got only a minor penalty. They need more ad revenue on ABC.

The Oilers had chances during the first 3 games when they were the more aggressive team, but were eventually shut down. Not last night.

Panthers had won 6 games in a row between the Rangers and Oilers. We were due for a stinker somewhere along the line.

Next game should be epic.



Go Cats Go!
gatorcpa

As a proud Calgarian and Flames fan who has lived in Vancouver for 3 decades (I detest the Canucks) I find myself liking this Oilers team and would love them to bring the Cup ‘home’.

Still, if the Panthers win I won’t be disappointed. They’ve put together a terrific team (with a few ex-Flames, too!) and coach Paul Maurice is deserving of a major victory. They made off like Capone and Dillinger in the Huberdeau trade. Besides, they’re the state rivals of the Lightening, whose descent I find particularly delicious.

The only Oilers:


😜😁
gatorcpa

Given this town's nearly 54 year NHL championship drought, I reckon many Canucks fans would trade that 1000 acre lush emerald gem for their shared namesake's silver mug.

Agreed. Sounds waaaay more fun!

(Besides, it'll be another half century before Vancouver hoists the Stanley Cup).

So you're saying there's a chance?

But can they skate?

Go Habs go…😵‍💫

Gary's tenure...🙄

Well, maybe.

I think some of this has to do with expansion. The Original Six were 4 in the US and 2 in Canada. So 33 1/3% in Canada. Now with expansion, you have 7 out of 33 teams in Canada, or 21%. Less opportunity to win, all other things being equal. Which of course they are not.

I think another issue for Canadian teams is the exchange rate. They collect local TV and gate revenue in Canadian and have to pay player (and probably coaching) salaries in US. That can't help.

This columnist in the New York Post brought up issues with the hard salary cap that may be hurting teams in higher income tax areas (like most of Canada) vs. those in low tax areas like Florida, Nevada and Texas. I'm not sure I agree with his premise when it comes to free-agent players. Most of these players want their names on the Stanley Cup more than anything else. They would gladly pay the higher taxes to get that opportunity. Besides, these players all have agents that tell them to make their off-season residences in low tax states to get some of the tax benefits.

However, I think there could be something there with respect to coaches and front office staff who do not make nearly as much as the players and maybe can't afford multiple homes. The lower taxes may attract better personnel to the organ-I-zations. The nice weather in the winter doesn't hurt either.

Better quality staffs will attract the best players. IMO, that's why the last 5 Prince of Wales Trophy winners were from Florida. Let's not forget who won the Cup last year, also from a no-tax state.
gatorcpa