Stanley Cup Final. (1)Chicago Blackhawks vs (4)Boston Bruins

[ShawneePanthers]

You sound far more like someone who is butthurt than someone with an actual argument.

[Big Ev]

You sound far more like someone who is butthurt than someone with an actual argument.

Again, what are you on about? I gave actual arguments, and all i got in return is disrespect and sarcastic tones as per usual. Not worth my time here.

[Loch]

Name me a team that has had multiple Finals appearances that didn't have high draft picks and some luck with drafting.

Pretty simple question...

Your Hawks are playing one right now. Seguin is the only high pick on the roster, and that doesn't really count here.

So we are ignoring that Jagr was a 5th overall and Horton was taken 3rd overall? (I know the Bruins didn't draft them, but they are still high picks)

Okay, so you disagree with pt9889 whereas I agree...

exactly why we are ignoring them, Boston traded for them, they didn't suck and draft them high.

Here's the switch, from high draft picks to sucking for high picks. The original question had nothing to do with sucking.

Because you said that Seguin was the only high pick on the team...

Incidentally, they didn't suck and draft high for anyone on their current roster but that doesn't disprove the notion that you need high picks to succeed.

Again, I'm trying to clarify because if you allow for Seguin being a high pick then Horton counts too, because neither was a product of Bruin suckage (great GM moves for both)

Never said that.

All I said was Boston didn't fail hard before they become a contender. That earns my respect unlike the Penguins.

So it would seem that we interpreted the original question differently, fair enough I suppose but that doesn't really explain your initial inclusion of Seguin. Meh.

I think pt9889 has a point. Teams don't go to the finals without elite talent and barring the Redwings that typically means at least two players under 35 who were drafted in the top 10 or 15. Or the top 50 in 2003...

[ShawneePanthers]

It was pretty great to watch that high draft pick Kane utterly dominate, though. I hope the bruins don't start sniping for his head in game 6. Have Bickell around him at all times.

[Daydream Nation]

Look at how the Hawks were constructed
Toews, Kane- Lottery Picks
Hossa- Free agent
Seabrook- 1st round pick
Crawford, Keith, Bickell, Bolland, Saad- 2nd Round Picks
Hjalmarsson- 4th Round Pick
Shaw, Kruger- 5th Round Picks
Sharp, Frolik, Stalberg- Trade and develop
Oduya, Handzus- Veteran trade

How can anyone criticize the way they were built? I think they have been one of the model franchises over the last decade.

[doulos]

What's wrong with Big_Ev's opinion here? I don't get it. It's just his personal preference.

I, on the other hand, think that teams that suck at drafting and developing their own players don't deserve the Cup. Go Hawks!

[ShawneePanthers]

I, on the other hand, think that teams that suck at drafting and developing their own players don't deserve the Cup. Go Hawks!

*cough* EDMONTON *cough*

[doulos]

*cough* EDMONTON *cough*

I'm confused. If the Oilers can't develop and draft their own players properly then they don't deserve the Cup.

[Daydream Nation]

What's wrong with Big_Ev's opinion here? I don't get it. It's just his personal preference.

Because he states some of his opinions as facts. Don't tell me the Bruins play the game and were constructed the "right" way. Those are just opinions.

[doulos]

Because he states some of his opinions as facts. Don't tell me the Bruins play the game and were constructed the "right" way. Those are just opinions.

I saw him offering his reasons why he would rather see the Bruins win than the Hawks, and nothing more.

Now why he holds those views is up to speculation I suppose (as well as whether he would hold them if Ottawa was one of those teams that drafted highly), but he has the right to hold them does he not?

[Big Ev]

Nobody is criticizing the way they were built. Both the Bruins and Hawks were built in similar fashions but I respect Boston more for building their core with second rounders.

I want the Hawks to close it out tomorrow, though, so the off-season can start.

[Loch]

I think the 2nd round core building of the Hawks is gonna be hard to beat for anyone.

Bolland (2004)
Bickell (2004)
Keith (2002)
Saad (2011)
Crawford (2003)
All drafted and developed by the Hawks... damn that's impressive.

[Big Ev]

Bolland and Bickell are not their core.

And who know how these guys play, along with Kruger, Saad, etc. when they are not insulated by Kane and Toews and Sharp.

[Big Ev]

Seriously though I am not taking ANYTHING away from the Hawks. They are the best team in the league. I just have mad respect for Boston and they have a lot of ties to the Sens.

[Loch]

Bolland and Bickell are not their core.

And who know how these guys play, along with Kruger, Saad, etc. when they are not insulated by Kane and Toews and Sharp.

Bickell I'll grant might not be there yet, but Bolland has put up 40 points in 52 playoff games in the last 5 yrs... not to mention frustrating some high level opponents.