Stanley Cup Final: Pittsburgh Penguins vs Detroit Red Wings

And then there were two. From the Eastern Conference the Pittsburgh Penguins and from the Western Conference the Detroit Red Wings. Both teams have been dominant through the playoffs, the Pens with a record of 12-2 and the Wings 12-4. Both have gotten where they are with a strong balance of scoring, defense and goaltending. But which, if either, really hold an edge?



Forwards
We all know about the Penguins skill up front with the likes of Crosby, Malkin and Hossa. The Wings aren’t exactly lacking with Zetterberg who is making a strong case for winning the Conn Smythe trophy for playoff MVP and Datsyuk. The Pens have a greater balance of scoring and defensive styles, and have been getting scoring from the lower lines a key to their success. Detroit has more grit though with the likes of Holmstrom who can crash the net like no other, and isn’t without its own two way players like Draper. Both own the top end talent and defensive minded grinders you need in the forward lines. But because of their better scoring depth I am giving the edge to the Pens, and it is a very slight edge.

Advantage: Pens


Defense
The Pens defense on paper looks mediocre, something the team would have been glad to accomplish in the last decade. The likes of Gill, Orpik and Letang aren’t the best or most flashy, Gonchar being the only big name back there, but they’ve gotten the job done and have shut down three teams and giving up the least goals per game in the playoffs. The Wings field an impressive lineup though starting with uber defenseman Lidstrom. He is supported by defensemen like Rafalski (remember him Devo?), Kronwall, Stuart and super douche Chelios. Nearly all have strong play in their own end and they can move the puck good too. They are also one of the faster defensive corps in the league, quite a bit faster than the Pens defense.

Advantage: Red Wings


Goaltender
You have one goalie in his second post season ever and another who already won a cup. So which would you say is better? Off hand Osgood for the Wings for his experience and goals per game average, and though he hasn’t played bad the reality of his situation is this: the team in front of him is so good he doesn’t need to be anything but average. Detroit has given up the fewest shots on goal of any team in the post season and Osgood hasn’t had to be brilliant much at all. He’s also aging and at 35 doesn’t have the same skills that won him the cup with Detroit years ago. Fleury though continues to shows flashes of brilliance, being quicker and more limber than probably any NHL goalie period. Considered a head case most of his young career as he was easily frustrated, he hasn’t shown any signs of that and remains confident in his play and the team in front of him.


Advantage: Penguins


Coaching
Mike Babcock has always been a solid coach, a reason Detroit took him from the Ducks when his contract expired. He is a good motivator and knows the X’s and O’s of hockey, and most of all he knows how to use the talent he is given. For the Pens there is Michel Therrien who though much maligned has begun to show he is more than someone who can go on a good tirade. He’s gotten the team committed to playing a defensive game when needed, but one that also allows them to open it up and score if needed. The team is close, on the same page and not showing a hint of nervousness. However, if the plan fails the only adjustment Therrien knows how to do is switch the lines, something Babcock is not limited by.


Advantage: Red Wings










“Age and experience will always defeat youth and skill” they say. Well experience hasn’t been much advantage against the Pens who have ousted three teams with a lot more than experience than they have. Of course though the Red Wings aren’t exactly lacking in that skill department. Though many would probably disagree, I am still under the assumption the Pens will lay an egg, but at the very least feel they will be outplayed by a team that is their better.

Prediction: Red Wings in 5

More Recent NHL Happenings

Canucks fire assistant coaches, give Vignault an extension
This was an odd move to say the least. It’s not often the assistants get canned but the head coach gets rewarded with a new deal. The Vancouver situation is just reeking of ownership meddling which never ends up good. And you have to wonder if the only reason they kept Vignault was because he won coach of the year last season. Plus you also get the feeling this may only be the tip of the iceberg for the Vancouver saga…


Avs hire Tony Granato as Head Coach
Talk about coming out of left field. No one, be it fan or analyst or journalist saw this one coming. Many thought Giguere would pursue an established coach on the market but instead not only went to an assistant coach within the organization, but also one that was head coach not to long ago. Giguere claims Granato has learned much in the five years but you have to be skeptical of a guy who couldn’t make much happen when Colorado had the likes of Sakic, Forsberg and Roy in their primes. But maybe he did learn and will be good. Regardless, it was quite a shock.



Chris Simon goes to Russia
Claiming he is tired dealing with the NHL. Well Chris, the NHL and its fans are a hell of a lot more tired of dealing with you. Good riddance, and don’t come back. Ever.



Dallas makes Hull and Jackson full time co-GM’s
Not very surprising considering the Stars made it to the conference finals. They showed they weren’t afraid to give out money (Ribiero) or land a big name (Richards) and I’m sure that impressed ownership. They now have their first draft and free agency period coming up which to me is always two of the biggest tests, especially the latter since it has immediate impact.


Predators give Erat to a 7 year, $31.5mm deal
Listen, I like Erat and think he is pretty good, but a deal this big is just too much. Many say it means the Preds are serious about rebuilding or long term success, I say its overpayment for a player that may (but probably wont) live up to a long term deal. Time may prove me wrong but I feel the Preds really handed way too much to a second line winger.

Thoughts on Recent Happenings

So, to say the least, a few things have happened since I went on hiatus. So I’m going to do my best to do give my thoughts on the major events that took place.


Canucks fire Dave Nonis, replace him with Michael Gillis
Nonis was a scapegoat for not making the playoffs, but he shouldn’t be at fault because he can’t control injuries. He built probably the most underrated defensive corps in the NHL and stole one of the best goalies for close to nothing. Yes, Vancouver lacked scoring, but then again so do a lot of teams, and he was saddled with $9mm being taken up by an aging Marcus Naslund and Brendan Morrison, who was never really a point producer to begin with. He should have been given at least this next year when he had more cap space to work with to see how he would remedy the problem.
Just as surprising was how the Canucks brass stated there would be an intense search and the candidate had to have many years experience. The result was Michael Gillis, a player agent with no front office experience. The whole thing reeks of an internal plan to get a friend in, especially with former GM Steve Tambellini serving as Nonis’s assistant. While it would be premature to say Gillis won’t succeed, putting someone with no experience in the spot usually isn’t a good start. Plus, the last time a player agent was directly put into the role was Mike Barnett for the Phoenix Coyotes who set the team backs years.


Maple Leafs Fire Paul Maurice
Out with the old, in with the new. Though it’s a bit odd when no one has any clue what the “new” is. Maurice was let go in what is becoming a mass expunging of bodies from the Maple Leafs. Interim GM Cliff Fletcher said they wanted to do this early so he has the summer to find new work, which in a way is commendable. Fletcher though is basically under order to clear out as much as he can to make way for the new GM, which is still up in the air. I think it was a bit unfair as Maurice wasn't the one who handed big deals to above average players, but since they already fired that guy and weren’t satisfied, off goes Maurice. He shouldn’t have trouble finding a head coaching job at some level of hockey.


The Toronto GM rumors continue to swirl.
And pretty much everyone and their mother has been named, but that’s the Toronto media for ya. Gretzky already said he isn’t available, and don’t think Colin Campbell will leave his cushy job with security at the NHL home offices for one of the few positions he would get even more scrutiny for and no security whatsoever. Nonis has already interviewed, but rumors continue to swirl that Anaheim GM Brian Burke is merely playing out his final contract year and then bolting to the Leafs. Personally I don’t believe it, and I think Toronto would do well to hire Nonis.


San Jose Fires Ron Wilson
Another one that came with no surprise. San Jose once again pulled their standard second round choke job, and one cant help but think that “missing thing” that kept the Sharks getting over the hump was the coach. Whether it was or not Wilson is gone. Personally I think he was part of the problem as aside from a very forgettable trip to the finals he did the same with the Capitals. Of course it doesn’t help when your best player is invisible in the playoffs (yes, that would be Joe Thornton). Wilson wont have a hard time finding a job as many credit him with ascending the sharks to a western elite.


Joel Quenville and Avalanche mutually agree to part ways
Quite the odd occurrence as coaches rarely leave on their own accord, but obviously Quenville and GM Francois Giguere didn’t agree on where the team should go. All in all I think it’s a good move for the Avs as he hasn’t been able to take the Avs that far in his time there, same as when he spent many years in St. Louis. He reminds me of Wilson in that the smarts seem to be there but he cant take it to the next level.

New Posts Coming

I abrubtly went on hiatus after the trade deadline, but it's because I have a lot going on right now. I've got some posts in the works so be on the lookout for those.