Cup In LA

[JerrySeinfeld]

Wow. Has anyone ever seen such an easy run to the cup?

At times during earlier series, Anaheim looked almost disinterested.

They absolutely pummelled and embarassed Ottawa.

And Alfredsson is a ninny - I mean, who takes a slap shot at Scott Neidermeyer at centre ice with 2 seconds left in the period.

Yet another year where euro-ninny captains can't get it done.

Congrats to Anaheim. I don't want to say possible dynasty - but they have Pronger for 4 more years and a very young team....And they sure looked dominant.

[bush_cheney2004]

Agreed....such a lopsided contest was a waste of HDTV. Mythbusters was more engaging than the final game. Congrats Ducks.

[guyser]

CONGRATS Ducks.

Made my summer, dont have to listen to family from Ottawa all summer.

Ducks steamrolled the Sens, and the Sens choked yet again.

Heatly, Spezza and Alfie should hang their heads.

Only a year now before the Leafs win it . (shaddup, I can dream)

[JerrySeinfeld]

CONGRATS Ducks.

Made my summer, dont have to listen to family from Ottawa all summer.

Ducks steamrolled the Sens, and the Sens choked yet again.

Heatly, Spezza and Alfie should hang their heads.

Only a year now before the Leafs win it . (shaddup, I can dream)

Sorry - but the Leafs are so far from winning The Cup I don't even think the distance is measurable.

[jdobbin]

Why would the cup be in LA when Anaheim won? Different counties, different cities, don't cha think?

Lots of people in Manitoba cheered for the Ducks. They had Carlyle, Teemu and Penner.

[GostHacked]

The Ducks just wanted the cup more than the Sens. The Sens came out strong in the start of every game, they played hard, then they sat the hell down. But my congrats goes to Ray Emmery two years ago, he was really a no body on the large scale of things, and now he must be happy to have played in the finals. Give this man time, he has so much potential to be a great goalie.

The Ducks were just better and they won the Cup.

[geoffrey]

Ducks had leadership, the Sen's didn't.

The Ducks played hard the entire time, the Sens got fancy. The Western conference teams that have had success over the last few years (Ducks, Edmonton, Calgary) all got there with the same style of hard work hockey over skill.

Finally it's paid off.

I won't cheer for a team that relies on the trap as much as the Ducks do, but congrats to them.

[Black Dog]

Well, for an Oilers fan, this was really the only way this cock-punch of a season could have ended. Yeecch.

I'm getting a little tired of seeing the Cup go to teams who's entire fanbase would be hard pressed to fill Yankee stadium.

[guyser]

I'm getting a little tired of seeing the Cup go to teams who's entire fanbase would be hard pressed to fill Yankee stadium.

You would quite rightly, include the Sens in that group. Have you seen the local ratings for the Sens on regional games ?

[Black Dog]

You would quite rightly, include the Sens in that group. Have you seen the local ratings for the Sens on regional games ?

I think its apples and oranges. A Sens win would have been greeted with enthusiasm from coast to coast here in Canada. I'd wager you'd be hard pressed to find anyone in Anaheim proper who could even tell you what the Stanley Cup is, let alone who won.

[JerrySeinfeld]

Well, for an Oilers fan, this was really the only way this cock-punch of a season could have ended. Yeecch.

I'm getting a little tired of seeing the Cup go to teams who's entire fanbase would be hard pressed to fill Yankee stadium.

I suppose from a marketing standpoint you might have a point - but I just like seeing great hockey teams play hockey - and this is one of the best in awhile. I wouldn't be surprised to see the ducks repeat.

[bush_cheney2004]

I think its apples and oranges. A Sens win would have been greeted with enthusiasm from coast to coast here in Canada. I'd wager you'd be hard pressed to find anyone in Anaheim proper who could even tell you what the Stanley Cup is, let alone who won.

Yea, the LA Kings have only been in the league for 40 years, so nobody in Anaheim "proper" would know about hockey.

[Black Dog]

Yea, the LA Kings have only been in the league for 40 years, so nobody in Anaheim "proper" would know about hockey.

Where is Anaheim? What is Anaheim? Is it a city? A county?

Hockey is a non-entity in California and most of the U.S. That's the reality.

[bush_cheney2004]

Where is Anaheim? What is Anaheim? Is it a city? A county?

Hockey is a non-entity in California and most of the U.S. That's the reality.

Having a geography moment? Anaheim is a city...about 30 miles from Staples Center where the Kings play hockey (for 40 years). It also happens to get the LA Times, published in the USA's 2nd or 3rd largest media market (including sports).

But then, what do I know compared to Canadians who are supposed to be superior at geography around the world. LOL!

[Black Dog]

Having a geography moment? Anaheim is a city...about 30 miles from Staples Center where the Kings play hockey (for 40 years). It also happens to get the LA Times, published in the USA's 2nd or 3rd largest media market (including sports).

I'm not sure what point you're trying to make. Yes: L.A. and its environs are very big. Yes, there has been hockey in L.A. since 1967. And? Do these facts have any bearing on the fact that hockey is a non-entity in So-Cal?

[JerrySeinfeld]

Having a geography moment? Anaheim is a city...about 30 miles from Staples Center where the Kings play hockey (for 40 years). It also happens to get the LA Times, published in the USA's 2nd or 3rd largest media market (including sports).

I'm not sure what point you're trying to make. Yes: L.A. and its environs are very big. Yes, there has been hockey in L.A. since 1967. And? Do these facts have any bearing on the fact that hockey is a non-entity in So-Cal?

um...and does the non-entity argument have any bearing on the fact that the ducks are one of the best teams to skatein the NHL in a LONG time.

[Black Dog]

um...and does the non-entity argument have any bearing on the fact that the ducks are one of the best teams to skatein the NHL in a LONG time.

That has nothing to do with anything being discussed.

Also, they aren't quite as good as you say. Barring a few breaks, it could have just as easily been Detroit or even San Jose in the SCF. If ANA loses Giguere and Selanne (and, ohpleaseohplease, S. Niedermeyer), they'll be a significantly different team.

[JerrySeinfeld]

um...and does the non-entity argument have any bearing on the fact that the ducks are one of the best teams to skatein the NHL in a LONG time.

That has nothing to do with anything being discussed.

Also, they aren't quite as good as you say. Barring a few breaks, it could have just as easily been Detroit or even San Jose in the SCF. If ANA loses Giguere and Selanne (and, ohpleaseohplease, S. Niedermeyer), they'll be a significantly different team.

Niedermeyer still has one year on his deal.

All else being equal, Giguere will stay given his loyalty after the DUcks' superb handling of his son's issues.

Selanne may leave, but I doubt it - he's playing some of the best hockey of his life, and he's having fun - loves where he is.

The PPG line will be promoted to the top line anyway - they were the dominating story in the finals.

With Bobby Ryan likely joining the fold and fitting in very well to their devastating forecheck, I see Selanne as a bonus player anyway.

I vote the Ducks most likely to repeat in a very long time.

[Black Dog]

Niedermeyer still has one year on his deal.

But there's rumblings he might retire. I'm keeping my finger's crossed.

All else being equal, Giguere will stay given his loyalty after the DUcks' superb handling of his son's issues.

Giggy will wait until July 1. Loyalty and family are all well and good, but money talks. L.A. might take a hard run at him.

Selanne may leave, but I doubt it - he's playing some of the best hockey of his life, and he's having fun - loves where he is.

Selanne would be wise to pack it in. For his performance in the finals there were times this post season where he looked out of breath. There's nothing left for him to acheive anyway.

The PPG line will be promoted to the top line anyway - they were the dominating story in the finals.

With Bobby Ryan likely joining the fold and fitting in very well to their devastating forecheck, I see Selanne as a bonus player anyway.

I vote the Ducks most likely to repeat in a very long time.

While this is the first time in a while that the best team on paper has won the Cup, I maintain that the current NHL structure make sit all but impossible for team's to repeat. Too many variables, th ebuiggest being the "Stanley Cup hangover."

Granted, my anaysis is coloured by the fact that I have a rooting interest in Anaheim tanking next year. The Oilers have, IIRC, both of Anaheim's '08 first round picks. For those to be worth a damn, ANA must hity the skids big time.

[JerrySeinfeld]

Giggy will wait until July 1. Loyalty and family are all well and good, but money talks.

Yes it does - and Anaheim has plenty of cap room so they will easily match any deal offered out there - which is why I said "all else being equal".

Selanne would be wise to pack it in. For his performance in the finals there were times this post season where he looked out of breath. There's nothing left for him to acheive anyway.

You're listening to too many local sports journalists' 5 second postulations in the 6 oclock news roundup.

Selanne Scored 48 goals and 46 assist for 94 points last year - better than any oiler I believe (and I am an oiler fan).

As well, he's just finished having the time of his life. There a good chance they cuold do it again, and earn a few million in the process. He's healthy, playing great hockey on a great team in a great city. Other than some sports journalists proverbial "going out on top", why WOULDN"T he play again?

While this is the first time in a while that the best team on paper has won the Cup, I maintain that the current NHL structure make sit all but impossible for team's to repeat. Too many variables.

That's another commonly held theme about the "salary cap era" but with Anaheim the variables are lining up quiet nicely.

Perry, Penner and Getzlaf all still fall under the new netrants rules, are under contract and on the cheap. and that's their top line!!!

Even without neidermeyer they have a solid core of D including Pronger and Beauchemin - and of course if Neidermyere does not retire (which he won't), the Pronger / Neidermeyer one-two combo will be very tough to beat in next year's tournament.

Adding the HUGE and talented Bobby Ryan, together with McDonald, Moen just got signed. Rob Neidermeyer will be there - and many of the other parts are interchangeable.

The basic same formula that won this year will still be in place next year - but with a more experienced PPG line and a slew of cup rings on their fingers.

Can you say R E P E A T?

[Black Dog]

Can you say R E P E A T?

Don't see it. They ain't the second coming of the 1976 Canadiens here. They weren't tested much this post-season. Next year will be a different story. And there's always injuries or a bad bounces.

Liek I said, though, watching Anaheim win again would almost be enough to make me stop watching hockey entirely.

[JerrySeinfeld]

Can you say R E P E A T?

Don't see it. They ain't the second coming of the 1976 Canadiens here. They weren't tested much this post-season. Next year will be a different story. And there's always injuries or a bad bounces.

Liek I said, though, watching Anaheim win again would almost be enough to make me stop watching hockey entirely.

Well - my prediction of a repeat is far less likely than yours of a non - so you'd have to give me serious odds.

Regardless, check out these 45 photos - it appears despite the small support base, the ducks look to have done a fantastic job during the celebration - and kudos to the Guvernator for showing up to a "small time" sport in California...

http://www.anaheimducks.com/multimedia/sli...n%20Celebration

[Black Dog]

Regardless, check out these 45 photos - it appears despite the small support base, the ducks look to have done a fantastic job during the celebration - and kudos to the Guvernator for showing up to a "small time" sport in California...

No thanks. I just ate lunch.

[JerrySeinfeld]

Regardless, check out these 45 photos - it appears despite the small support base, the ducks look to have done a fantastic job during the celebration - and kudos to the Guvernator for showing up to a "small time" sport in California...

No thanks. I just ate lunch.

As an Oilers fan I used to hate pronger but then I realized, heck I have something in common with Pronger:

Love the Oilers, can't stand living in the city

[guyser]

They weren't tested much this post-season. Next year will be a different story. And there's always injuries or a bad bounces.

Anaheim was tested far more than Ottawa . They had to play in the west which was the harder conference, they travel far more than the east, and had a much harder route to the cup.

Did you know that Ott traveled something like 4-5000 K up to the SC Final, and Anaheim traveled 30,000k . To do that and win is pretty impressive.

As for repeat..?...Anaheim has the team to do so, but since the Stanley Cup is the hardest of the pro leagues in NA to win, every single duck must be in line and the lucky bounces have to go your way . Pun unintended.

I dont see any final repeat for Ottawa, unless of course, Heatley finds a heart, Alfie finds a brain .

Muckler should have signed Gary Roberts, he would if nothing else have held Alfie Heatley and Spezza in check and , dare I say it, may have been the catalyst for Ottawa putting up a series, and maybe win the cup. Bad move Mucks.