- Details
When the Pittsburgh Penguins lifted the Stanley Cup in 2016, it was clear to all NHL organizations that one aspect of a team’s game plan was a must to succeed.
Speed.
Already with the likes of Sidney Crosby leading the roster, the Penguins acquired wingers Phil Kessel and Carl Hagelin that year, providing them with three of the fastest skaters on NHL record at that point.
Players such as Evgeni Malkin, Matt Cullen, Patric Hornqvist and defenseman Olli Maatta also have been clocked as extremely fast skaters, according to PowerScout Hockey, an optical-tracking company.
The next two winners (Penguins again in 2017 and the Washington Capitals in 2018), followed this philosophy, as well as the Stanley Cup runners-up, the Nashville Predators and Vegas Golden Knights.
Every team in the league seemed to follow this philosophy. The highly coveted Erik Karlsson, who possesses top-end speed from the defensive side of the play, was picked up by as the believed final piece for the San Jose Sharks to win the franchise’s first Stanley Cup. Jeff Skinner, a quick-footed right-winger, became a focus around the league before the Buffalo Sabres added him last summer.
Then, the St. Louis Blues happened.
So letsgoblues.com forum member and Lets Go Blues Radio podcast contributor, Jeff Ponder, is the Blues contributor to InsideSTL.com and their morning radio show on CBS Sports Radio in St. Louis called "The Morning After".
