NBCSN’s coverage of the 2013-14 campaign will kick off tonight when the Chicago Blackhawks host the Washington Capitals at the United Center at 8:00 p.m. ET. In addition to NBCSN, you can also watch the game online.
When does a team qualify as a dynasty in the NHL? Should we lower the standard because of the increased parity in the salary cap era?
The Chicago Blackhawks have won the Stanley Cup twice in the span of four seasons, although the team that just won is significantly different than the 2010 champions. Do they count as a dynasty? Maybe not, but they have the potential to become one.
When they won the Stanley Cup in 2010, Chicago’s salary cap issues forced them to immediately part with significant members of their team. This time around there was very little turnover. In fact, some might argue that the Blackhawks went to the other extreme and perhaps even overpaid players like forward Bryan Bickell in an effort to keep this group intact.
Certainly GM Stan Bowman took some risks over the summer, but sometimes great things come to the bold. For at least the next couple of years, Chicago has an opportunity to keep the team that just won the Stanley Cup largely together. We know that Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews are capable of leading a team to greatness and while the Blackhawks have question marks, the sky’s the limit for this young and talented squad.
On the other side of the coin is their opening game opponents, the Washington Capitals.
If you’re listing off the greatest players in the game, Alex Ovechkin’s name usually comes up quickly, especially after his resurgence under Capitals coach Adam Oates last season. Ovechkin has had a strong supporting cast at times too, but unlike the Blackhawks, Washington hasn’t made it past the second round of the playoffs during the Ovechkin era.
Still, they can’t be dismissed. If Nicklas Backstrom and Mike Green stay healthy, goaltender Braden Holtby continues along his current path of development, and newcomer Mikhail Grabovski plays like a man that has something to prove, then they will be a very formidable team this season.
Chicago’s fight to become a dynasty and Washington’s quest to finally win the Cup starts tonight. Neither will have an easy time. Especially when they’re playing against each other.
Probable goaltenders: WSH - Holtby | CHI - Corey Crawford