Watching the Carolina Hurricanes hoist the Stanley Cup last June prompted the big question: what the hell happened?
The 'Canes didn't fit the mold of the new NHL team. With the rule changes last year, 2005-06 was supposed to be a coming-out party for small forwards and a new breed of speedy defenders. The young guns were atop the leader boards in every statistical category, usurping multitudes of veteran names that had become staples of the NHL of old.
The Buffalo Sabres had the kind of team that epitomized the new NHL, with two stud young goaltenders and a plethora of small, shifty players that demoralized Philadelphia Flyers in the first round. But they fell to the 'Canes in seven hard fought games in the Eastern Conference Finals.
The Edmonton Oilers, who squared off against Carolina in the Finals, fielded a team similar to the Sabres. One of the five youngest teams in the league last year, their fresh talent and supernatural goaltending guided the Oilers to the finals, despite being seeded eighth. Yet, they, too, fell to the mighty Hurricanes.
Again, what the hell happened?
The Hurricanes are a perfect balance of speed, skill, and experience. Like the other teams, they have their share of young talent, including 21-year old Eric Staal, who burst onto the scene last year to lead the 'Canes with 100 points. Their roster also boasts a superb goaltender in 22-year old Cam Ward, who rose to the occasion last spring as the Conn-Smythe Trophy winner in the playoffs.
However, Carolina's veteran leadership ultimately gave it the edge; captain Rod Brind'Amour was 35, Glen Wesley was 39, and both Cory Stillman and Ray Whitney were 32.
Veteran leadership is becoming a rare commodity in the new NHL. The days of 40-year old superstars, such as Brian Leetch, Mark Messier, and Brett Hull, making an impact are evaporating rapidly. There is an influx of rookies as the speed game slowly becomes the No. 1 priority for all teams.
There are, however, a few teams which have the Carolinian balance that seems to be such a recipe for success.
The San Jose Sharks may be the most striking example of the much-needed balance between old and new. Young stars Mike Bell and Jonathan Cheechoo represent a wealth of talent that fits into an established framework of 27-year-old "veterans" Patrick Marleau and Joe Thornton, last season's MVP.
The Sharks made an unbelievable comeback last year after the Olympics, logging a win percentage in the vicinity of .700 and ultimately ending up as the sixth seed in the postseason. Look for them to start turning some heads in a powerful Western Conference.
The Pittsburgh Penguins have a team that fits the mold, but they will probably find themselves in the tank again this season. Although there are some bright spots on the horizon, namely 18-year-old Sidney Crosby, who finished the
season with 102 points, other players have been unpredictable, such as 19-year old Evgeni Malkin of Russia, who last year two-handed Flyer defenseman Darien Hatcher in the face, and was subsequently suspended for several games.
This past summer, the Pens drafted the third son of the prodigal Staal family, Jordan, with the second overall pick. Jordan, by all accounts, is said to be even better than his elder brothers Eric, who hoisted Lord Stanley's Cup this past June, and Marc, a first-round pick by the New York Rangers in 2005. While the Penguins could have a bright future, the team is one of the most poorly managed franchises in sports. It is likely to be another rebuilding year in Pittsburgh.
The Ottawa Senators also loom large on the horizon. The Senators lost their giant defenseman Zdeno Chara to the Boston Bruins in the offseason but retained superstars Dany Heatley, Daniel Alfredsson and Jason Spezza. Their team is dominant on paper, and they have the balance of young and old necessary in the ever-evolving NHL. Look for them to grab the spotlight over the coming weeks.
The 2006-2007 NHL season kicked off on Wednesday night but gets into full-gear this weekend. National coverage of the NHL is shown on the AV channel, and Bruins can be found on NESN.
