kipwinger 8,771 Report post Posted June 22, 2023 For almost as long as anyone can remember the mantra has always been that you need to have superstars to win Cups (in most cases they say you need to draft them too). We've all heard it. I still hear it on certain podcasts. But after watching Vegas (and to a lesser extent Florida) in the post season is it time to rethink this maxim? Is it better to have one or two superstars and then fill out the rest of the roster as you can, or is it better to have a handful of really good, but not elite, players and use the financial savings to ensure that you don't have any replacement level players on your lower lines? We probably all can agree on who the "superstar" players are, more or less, and with the exception of Tkachuk (who nobody would have called a superstar two years ago), all of those guys got beaten soundly by deeper teams. Is it just an anomaly or is there something to it? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The 91 of Ryans 3,019 Report post Posted June 22, 2023 If you want a large contention window you need both If you want a one and done run like the 2011 Bruins or 2019 Blues then you can do it with alchemy and a bit of luck. If I'm going to wait 10 years between playoff appearances there better be a window vs a one-off No offence, but I think people tell themselves you don't need superstars to win the cup when they're really just trying to cope with not having any. 1 marcaractac reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AtlantaHotWings 1,135 Report post Posted June 22, 2023 IMHO if I was building out a playoff team I would have Solid/Great Goaltending 2 solid D pairs not necessarily of Norris caliber. But guys that clear the pucks, clear the front of the net, block shots and chip in on offense on occasion. 2 solid top lines maybe 1 has my "superstars" on it and my other 2 I can trust in any situation. My 2 lower lines give me nasty goals and pound the other team's superstars at every chance they get. I then keep my guys till I can't afford them and bring in similar replacements on the cheaper side and my superstars are kept for ticket sales. 1 F.Michael reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kipwinger 8,771 Report post Posted June 22, 2023 Just now, The 91 of Ryans said: If you want a large contention window you need both If you want a one and done run like the 2011 Bruins or 2019 Blues then you can do it with alchemy and a bit of luck. If I'm going to wait 10 years between playoff appearances there better be a window vs a one-off No offence, but I think people tell themselves you don't need superstars to win the cup when they're really just trying to cope with not having any. Does Vegas have "superstars" in your mind? Because I'd argue that they don't really have any truly elite talent. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The 91 of Ryans 3,019 Report post Posted June 22, 2023 (edited) 2 minutes ago, kipwinger said: Does Vegas have "superstars" in your mind? Because I'd argue that they don't really have any truly elite talent. Eichel for sure. He's way better than I even thought. Should have won the Conn. But say he's not. I don't see either Vegas or Florida as the type of team who'll be back in the finals anytime soon. For many different reasons. I'd say they're both one and done. Edited June 22, 2023 by The 91 of Ryans Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kipwinger 8,771 Report post Posted June 22, 2023 1 minute ago, The 91 of Ryans said: Eichel for sure. He's way better than I even thought. Should have won the Conn. But say he's not. I don't see either Vegas or Florida as the type of team who'll be back in the finals anytime soon. For many different reasons. Eichel was on another level in the playoffs for sure, but all season long Vegas fans were complaining about what a disappointment he was. Ended up having a very similar season to Larkin, despite being on a top team. I think he's a star player for sure, but when I think "superstar" I'm thinking the top 3 to 5 players at their position. I don't really see that on Vegas' team. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The 91 of Ryans 3,019 Report post Posted June 22, 2023 3 minutes ago, kipwinger said: Eichel was on another level in the playoffs for sure, but all season long Vegas fans were complaining about what a disappointment he was. Ended up having a very similar season to Larkin, despite being on a top team. I think he's a star player for sure, but when I think "superstar" I'm thinking the top 3 to 5 players at their position. I don't really see that on Vegas' team. Fair enough. Like I said though, neither Florida or Vegas will be back. I want a Tampa team: (almost) elite center + elite winger + elite 1D + elite goalie + amazing depth. How do we get that? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kipwinger 8,771 Report post Posted June 22, 2023 3 minutes ago, The 91 of Ryans said: Fair enough. Like I said though, neither Florida or Vegas will be back. I want a Tampa team: (almost) elite center + elite winger + elite 1D + elite goalie + amazing depth. How do we get that? At this point we don't, most likely. The ONLY chance we have is to pull a Tampa and luck out drafting guys like Point and Kucherov in later rounds and have them exceed expectations, which is a really long shot considering how good teams are at evaluating talent now. The good news is that Yzerman/Draper seems like a winning combination when it comes to drafting and developing so if anyone were going to do it then it's probably them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bIueadams 776 Report post Posted June 22, 2023 VGK had Eichel, Stone, Pietrangelo, and Theodore. Yeah, ya need superstars Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The 91 of Ryans 3,019 Report post Posted June 22, 2023 1 minute ago, bIueadams said: VGK had Eichel, Stone, Pietrangelo, and Theodore. Yeah, ya need superstars those R stars not SStars except maybe Eichel Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bIueadams 776 Report post Posted June 22, 2023 6 minutes ago, The 91 of Ryans said: those R stars not SStars except maybe Eichel Well we could use some R-Stars Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The 91 of Ryans 3,019 Report post Posted June 22, 2023 2 minutes ago, bIueadams said: Well we could use some R-Stars We'll have better D R-Stars than Theodore and Petro Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
