Darren Pang: "This team can win the Stanley Cup"

[cprice12]

He said this on KFNS this morning...

Discuss.

[Winning Unlimited]

[cardsfan04]

While the Blues wouldn't be my pick if I have to pick one team, I think he's right that they have a chance. If they could somehow add a top line scorer without giving up much (or any) NHL talent, I would feel more comfortable though. I don't know if that's a realistic possibility, but if JR is right about the Hulsizer deal being done this week, that's gotta at least make it a little more likely I would think.

In any case, they seem to be on the right track.

[Winning Unlimited]

If I'm Doug Armstrong, and my Christmas list is granted by Santa, I'd have
(1) A veteran 2-way defenseman that would be effective on the powerplay.
(2) 11 clones of David Backes. TJ would be a great ticket rep.
(3) A contract extension for Brian Elliott.
(4) The appeasement and favoritism of the hockey gods, especially for injuries and puck bounces
(5) Fair and unbiased refs.
(6) Working flashchat.
(7) An owner that would make the Blues a cap team.
(8) A ghost of christmas past visit from Johnathon Cheechoo (remember him?)
(9) A ghost of christmas present visit from Davis Payne (good luck scouting for us!)
(10) A ghost of christmas future visit from TARASENKO!

[kodos]

If 2/3 of Stewart, McDonald and Berglund star producing for the team it's possible.

Well, if the rest of the guys stay healthy and Elliott/Halak continue to play like they have.

[dmiles2186]

The Bruins last year proved that A) good defense B) good goaltending and C) 4 lines that can chip in with scoring can win the Cup.

Right now, the Blues have all of those things rolling. They don't have a 70 or 80 point scorer, but neither did the Bruins last year (Lucic and Krejci both had 62). So yeah, is it possible? Sure it is. They're playing great right now. But we've got 50 some-odd games to play. The team needs to make the playoffs first.

[TheoSqua]

The team has the depth and the talent. The rest will be luck. If a Stewart/Perron type goes on a hot streak during the playoffs and Halak/Elliot get on a .950 save streak, then yes this team has a good a chance as any to win the cup.

The depth is there and the talent is there. Now all the team needs is some luck.

[STLADOGG]

Hes been here for what 3 years? Nuf said.

[DaDitka]

I know Stew and Bergie aren’t producing and everyone is point at goals (fair enough, we’re in the bottom quarter of the league in scoring).

IMO our biggest need if we are going to compete on ‘that’ level is much better play by our D men in our own end. The forwards are doing great on the fore check and their back check, and I think that has really masked some shaky play from many of our defensemen (look, I’m not just bashing Jackman).

Again, not bashing or crying “the sky is falling”….everyone was just talking about wants and/or needs and I’m throwing in my two cents.

I think the forwards and the goal scoring will come around. I don’t have the same level of comfort with the defense. I fear they could soon begin to be exploited and become an issue if and when these goaltenders cool off a little.

[Kreegz2]

I'm just happy that this team is finally fun to watch again. Being a Blues fan since the lockout has been absolute torture. It's awesome to see that the pieces are finally falling into place and that this team is a legitimate force to be reckoned with again.

[ohio BLUES]

Remember when NHL.com wrote an article saying the same thing last year, and then the team imploded? Yeah, that was cool.

Let's just win hockey games and see where that takes us.

[JPonder94]

Remember when NHL.com wrote an article saying the same thing last year, and then the team imploded? Yeah, that was cool.

Let's just win hockey games and see where that takes us.

Stop with this crap. Shouldn't we focus on just making the playoffs first?

[Hotaru_Sobi17]

I don't pay attention to what the so-called 'experts' say. Part of the whole 'think for yourself' outlook I follow
But it's nice to see them say positive comments 'bout the Blues.

[DaDitka]

Remember when NHL.com wrote an article saying the same thing last year, and then the team imploded? Yeah, that was cool.

Let's just win hockey games and see where that takes us.

Stop with this crap. Shouldn't we focus on just making the playoffs first?

Or even just playing hard game in and game out. Those two games against the Aves and the Hawks should tell everyone we're still a long way from worrying about what we're going to be doing in April.

[cardsfan04]

I agree that making the playoffs (or as Ditka said, playing hard every game) is the first step. But, I don't think it hurts for fans to look ahead in the same way it hurts the actual team.

[cprice12]

Remember when NHL.com wrote an article saying the same thing last year, and then the team imploded? Yeah, that was cool.

Let's just win hockey games and see where that takes us.

Stop with this crap. Shouldn't we focus on just making the playoffs first?

Or even just playing hard game in and game out. Those two games against the Aves and the Hawks should tell everyone we're still a long way from worrying about what we're going to be doing in April.

Just to counter your point... it doesn't matter how good a team we are, we will always lose games every now and then. And we will play a bad game every now and then.

[DaDitka]

Remember when NHL.com wrote an article saying the same thing last year, and then the team imploded? Yeah, that was cool.

Let's just win hockey games and see where that takes us.

Stop with this crap. Shouldn't we focus on just making the playoffs first?

Or even just playing hard game in and game out. Those two games against the Aves and the Hawks should tell everyone we're still a long way from worrying about what we're going to be doing in April.

Just to counter your point... it doesn't matter how good a team we are, we will always lose games every now and then. And we will play a bad game every now and then.

Agreed sir, just talking about consistent effort.

There is nothing wrong for us fans to have visions of playoff hockey dancing in our minds, I would like the team to keep thier focus on something more along the lines of winning 5 out of every 8 points or something along those lines.

[thedoc]

It's just nice to fantasize about winning the Cup for once instead of how am I going to make the home opener in KC.

[not_a_wings_fan]

Any team "can" win the cup if things bounce the right way. There's plenty of talent on this team to win.

I want to see months more consistent execution before I will even consider talking about their chances to actually win something.

[kodos]

I think the most you can ask for from any team is to look at them and feel confident that they can make the playoffs and win some rounds.

Once you are at that level, it's all about getting hot at the right time and getting lucky at the right time.


It's doubtful that this years squad can do a lot of damage in the playoffs, since they have no playoff experience to speak of. But if (IF) they can get in and win a round or two, get some valuable experience... and then a new owner spends some money, tweaks the roster... and then who knows, we could be looking at a team that can legitimately compete in the next 2-3 years. Maybe.

Knock on wood.