The Canadian Drought

[Mr. TM]

1993

If you are a fan of hockey, and you live above the 49th parallel, this date might be significant to you. It is the last time that a team in the National Hockey League from a Canadian city has won the Stanley cup. That was of course the Montreal Canadiens who still have the most Stanley cup wins in the NHL.

Teams have come close. 1994 it was Vancouver, 2004 it was Calgary, the next season Edmonton went to the finals, and right after that, Ottawa. But they have not won it.

So what team will win it next? Well the Canadian teams are easy to split apart. East versus west is easy. But another matter, that for some reason means less, when I thought it should mean more is Haves versus have nots. Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal are wealthy NHL teams. Edmonton, Calgary, and Ottawa are in small markets with less fan base. But it has been these teams that have done the best lately.

So will it be a Have team? Toronto just got their first win last night, and look horrible. Montreal is alright, over .500 with a young goalie, but can the pressure of the fans keep a good team together? Vancouver has a great team, but a slow start, and a horrible schedule this year might keep them away from the cup. Edmonton? NO, I don't think they have the pieces. Ottawa? Nope, they need to rebuild in my opinion.

Calgary. Ugh, makes me sick to my stomach, but if the drought were to be broken this year, it is them. If it is not, I will put the Canucks in here as well. Calgary has a good team this year, and will look to be powerhouses in the West. With San Jose not being that impressive after the Presidents Trophy season, and Detroit in the basement, few western teams can challenge. They will of course have to get by Chicago if they mean to win, a task they failed to last year.

 

[The Kingpin]

I being a fellow Canadian can say that I miss Lord Stanley. He hasn't been around in a while, and 15 Years of no Stanley Cups in Montreal Quebec is starting to get old. But its coming, heres my rundown of all six Canadian teams:

Top Three:

1.) Calgary Flames.

You said it best, "Ugh". I don't like 'em, but they are our best chance to bring back the Stanley Cup, they've had some very good teams as of late and I think they can beat out Colorado who is a pretender, and the other two Canadian teams in Edmonton and Vancouver. Plus with 'Kipper and 'Iggy over there plus Dion and Bouwmeester on "D" they got a dam good chance.

2.) Vancouver Canucks

Possibly have the best goaltender in the NHL in Roberto Luongo (even though hes injured) and a great core of guys (even though most are injured) could win this year but look for them to be good next year when Demitra comes back and Grabner is a bit more seasoned I think they could easily win the West next year and win the Cup.

3.) Montreal Canadiens
My home town team, I don't get why people say we're small, do they not look at our defencemen? Mara, Gill, Hamrlik, O'Byrne not to mention Laraque and Moen. Our top line of Cammalleri-Gomez-Gionta are a force to be reckoned with and once Price or Halak pick up the game they're gonna be dam dam good.

Bottom Two:

4.) Ottawa Senators

Finally have a very good goalie in Pascal Leclaire and solid backup in Bryan Elliot, there top six forwards are solid as well as there "D", I think once that team gets going and can start playing consistent hockey plus they add a couple more pieces to the puzzle and Cheechoo starts scoring they're a very good hockey team.

5.) Edmonton Oilers
Have a ways to go but have solid goalie in The Bulin Wall, plus a super strong core of young guys that if they can get together and really become a group of guys and Tamby can keep them all then they could win a cup easily in 3-4years.

And the Cellar Dweller:

Toronto Maple Leafs
........................................................................ Just crap.