If the expectation isn't to win a cup, and not winning it, creates massive disappointment, you are in the wrong business.

Participation , is all that matters.
- vabeachbear

Fixed

Only one out of 32 teams can win. The goal should be to put together a competitive team that is in the mix and hope they are healthy enough and enough of the 3rd or 4th line players are punching over their weight to make the difference.

Expecting a cup just because they have a great team doesn't work. The great Hawks team of the early 60s only won one. The great teams in the late 80s and early 90s won zero.

Expectations need to be realistic.
- fattybeef

60s don't really count because of the rules, 80s and 90s irritated the hell out of me because they would do nothing to improve their team to win a Cup. That's when Blackhawk fans grew angry at Wirtz. Everytime they would show Rocky he'd get a standing ovation because we lived through a terrible owner and appreciated an owner who was a fan first.

When you say expectations should be realistic, doesn't that go for a team that's rebuilding?

60s don't really count because of the rules, 80s and 90s irritated the hell out of me because they would do nothing to improve their team to win a Cup. That's when Blackhawk fans grew angry at Wirtz. Everytime they would show Rocky he'd get a standing ovation because we lived through a terrible owner and appreciated an owner who was a fan first.

When you say expectations should be realistic, doesn't that go for a team that's rebuilding?
- BetweenTheDots

The funny thing is Wirtz wasn’t even the worst owner from the 60s to 90s, Harold Ballard of the Leafs made Wirtz look like a great owner.

60s don't really count because of the rules, 80s and 90s irritated the hell out of me because they would do nothing to improve their team to win a Cup. That's when Blackhawk fans grew angry at Wirtz. Everytime they would show Rocky he'd get a standing ovation because we lived through a terrible owner and appreciated an owner who was a fan first.

When you say expectations should be realistic, doesn't that go for a team that's rebuilding?
- BetweenTheDots

I think one of the problems is that luck has a big influence on whether you win or lose (in hockey more than any other major sport). KD and LR can literally do everything right and they could still end up with a goose egg. Injuries, running into a hot goalie, or the condition of the ice can be the difference between winning or losing.

I think one of the problems is that luck has a big influence on whether you win or lose (in hockey more than any other major sport). KD and LR can literally do everything right and they could still end up with a goose egg. Injuries, running into a hot goalie, or the condition of the ice can be the difference between winning or losing.
- Chunk

I think if the talent is relatively equal, for sure. I believe it's rare for an inferior talented team to win 4 games over one that is superior to them.

But injuries do happen, that's why that scum bag took a run at Hossa in the playoffs. Did you see that hit on Rantanen? Looked clean wonder how long he's going to be out for?

I think if the talent is relatively equal, for sure. I believe it's rare for an inferior talented team to win 4 games over one that is superior to them.

But injuries do happen, that's why that scum bag took a run at Hossa in the playoffs. Did you see that hit on Rantanen? Looked clean wonder how long he's going to be out for?
- BetweenTheDots

The hit on Rantanen was clean. The hit on Hossa was dirty but so was Seabrook’s hit on Wakey Wakey Backes. It all balances out.

The hit on Rantanen was clean. The hit on Hossa was dirty but so was Seabrook’s hit on Wakey Wakey Backes. It all balances out.
- paulr

Neither was Keith on D. Sedin