It looks like, once again, we’re about to add another note to that annual tale of Canadian-based NHL teams and the Stanley Cup. With the Carolina Hurricanes going three to one against the Montreal Canadiens, there’s a good chance the drought will extend to 33 years since we last saw the NHL championship trophy carried around the ice by a Canadian team.
So much time has passed that the names of that ’93 Montreal team, Patrick Roy and John Leclair among them, are now only distant memories for Bleu, Blanc et Rouge fans. Heck, the arena they played in is now a movie theater and the so-called new arena is three decades old.
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Now, it’s not like there haven’t been chances for Canadian-based teams. The Edmonton Oilers were within one and two games of winning the cup the last two seasons. And frankly, even those exploits feel a long time ago for most of us. But when you look at all the other Canadian-based teams …Ottawa, Toronto, Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver … it would seem that there is little hope in the coming seasons for the Cup to come home. All of those teams, including the Jets, have flaws. Some bigger than others.
The Flames and Canucks are now in full rebuilding. The Oilers and Maple Leafs have big stars and big depth issues. The Senators and Jets have had some positive signs recently, but they just can’t seem to get over the hump of being small Canadian-based markets in a sport that’s growing into big business.
And that leaves, once again, Montreal holding the banner of being Canada’s best chance. And, in reality, they probably are. Just not this year.
You have to wonder if this curse will ever end. And are there too many issues conspiring against seven teams and rabid fans across the country? It’s certainly not for lack of trying or lack of star players playing in this country. I’m not sure we can put our finger on the single reason for 33 years of frustration.
Maybe, we just love it too much. And we put a lot of pressure and passion into our love of the game and 32 pounds of silver.
The old slogan, ‘Wait till next year’ is wearing thin and I fear it will be used for many years to come.
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