Better Story in the Finals?Wings or Pens players?Read on?

Question

What's the better story in your opinion?McCarty fighting his demons to make it back to the Finals along with Chelios which might be his last hurrah or Crosby and Fleury (Both #1 picks) resurrecting the Pens franchise who almost had to relocate because of financial difficulties?

Answer 1

I think the Pens, a possible dynasty in the making. Seeing if Crosby will get his cup 2 years before Gretzky did and 4 yrs?? before Mario did.

We have seen similiar things to the McCarty return, in fact, I think they brought back Joey Kocur for a Cup run a few years back. Chelios? Yeah....but the same could be said for Roberts really....it could be the end for him.

Answer 2

I can only answer this question with bias in favour of the Wings, but both would be riveting stories for the press to follow.  Both would be 'disney worthy'.

Trying to be objective, I'm going with the 'old guard' and Mc Carty's story.  He's overcome his obstacles, turned his life around and his game.  The Pens are all at the beginning of this ride.  What they are doing is making use of the startling talent that they have, and are making good things happen.  The personal adversity equivalent, which often completes a good narrative, is less - long may that remain true.

Answer 3

I will have to go with the McCarty story. It's always nice to see someone turn their personal life around.

To add to what Lubers said, I can gaurantee that if the Pens win they will bring up the lock out, and how it helped teams like Pittsburgh. But what nobody will mention if the Wings win, is how much the lockout did NOT matter, to a team like Detroit.

Answer 4

Well certainly you have to say the Pens are the better story going from Zero to Hero in just a few years and the fact that 2 of the hottest young player in the league are there to top it all off.  Like you said they were in a position not long ago where the team threatened to move but locked up a deal with the city to stay and now here they are going to the finals which makes all those involved with getting the deal done look like geniuses.  Everyone expects Detroit to be in this position or at least challenging for it most every year.  While Detroit has it's own young superstars, they aren't nearly as new to the NHL game so it just isn't nealy the story as what you have on the other side.

Answer 5

All I know is the explosion will be huge when these two bandwagons collide

Answer 6

Both good, I think you have to go with the Pens one as the young guys are integral parts of the pens run, whereas Mccarthy and Chelios are important to the team they are not key pieces.

The second poster has a good point, we have two offensive powerhouses in the final.  Either way the story line may be that skill can win a cup and models other than the Brian Burke one will work.

If Det wins then first European captain to do so...

Answer 7

I gotta go with McCarty.  Granted Crosby and Fleury saved the franchise, thats a hockey story.  While McCarty saved his self.  Not many people gave him a chance to come back and here he is.  It's a great story.  Hockey is not life.  Did I just say that?

Answer 8

The truth is - the stories complement each other.

Hold on - it's gonna be a barn burner!!

Answer 9

They are both great stories. Each with it's own heart string moments. I would still pick The Wing story a tiny bit over the Pens one. Battling to come back from anything is one of the hardest things to do EVER. That Cheli is still playing at that high a level at his age says something. The Pens guys are young enough to make another run at it in the near future. They will have time for their stories to be written.

Answer 10

I think they each have their own stories......the Pens with their very young players, and the Wings with their veterans (i.e. very old veterans).

Answer 11

This is a tough choice.  I am going to go with the Red Wings for a couple of reasons and not all of them positives.

1) I am a big Darren McCarty fan dating back to when he was a kid in the league.  It is always a great thing when someone finds it in themselves to turn their life around.

2) Despite what he did to Propp, I am still a fan of Chris Chelios and I like the fact that he is still playing at 108 years old.

3) I think that if the Penguins win this, the NHL is going to give itself a great big pat on the back again for the lockout.  They are almost certain to point out just how bad off the Penguins organization was prior to the lockout and use it as the primary example of just how good of a thing the lockout was.

Answer 12

I can't feel bad for a guy being paid millions to play a game that has fallen off the right track.  Also, Chelios has had a great career either way.

Pittsburgh is rewarded for years of futility.  Though Fleury is a nice kid and has had many critize him without warrant for most of his career.  Crosby is a phenom and has all the talent and charisma to be the face of the league.  However, the way he carriers himself on the ice makes it impossible for me to cheer for the Pens.

Answer 13

You know I think its Sydney and Crosby they are really kicking some major butt.  You gotta love Mario Lamieux he rocks and the Penguins are really going for it.

Answer 14

well as a youngster i have to say the pens story...although like i was saying before if the red wings lose (they'll be the bigger story...and if the pens win it's a post salary cap blue print of how to build a team/structure a team to win. change of the old guard nhl and also the nhl's wet dream). i'm sure most of the pens like myself grew up watching the red wings and having red wing players be their idols. it'll be a great series.

i know detroits the better blue print team because their organization is sound, but i'm saying that for the pens they've been a real turn around story (and their organization can be a blue print for a team like the leafs to follow). they've lucked out on getting the top picks, but their top picks aren't a lucky pan out...these guys were going to be good nhler's either way. they made good trade acquisitions. and the better story is a backrupt team, that was going to move, but got great 1st round picks that play like true 1st rounders (they're not a lucky pan out), who have gotten fans back into the team, getting a new coach with a good system, and also getting a new arena from the city.

well marc andre being picked at number 1 was a stretch, but i thought he should have been a first rounder or top 10 pick either way. he would have been my first pick, or in my top five.

yesterday i was listening to chuck fletcher on the radio here, and he was crediting therrien for getting his players to buy in to his system. babcock is a great coach, the redwings are a great team...basically out of all the nhl teams this year they probably deserve the stanley cup the most, but the pens have come through adversity, they are the unknown, they're young and inexperienced. they got players like hal gill, sergei gonchar, marian hossa (don't even forget the young ahl call ups) who are playing better hockey than i've seen them play in a while. they're having fun. maf is actually confident. individually go down every single player on their roster, and to see them at this point is a great story considering their careers so far. fletcher also confirmed that the pens are under the cap and have moving space to resign players/deal away players. i think that they know what they're doing in pittsburgh and that people shouldn't second guess them.

and also yeah the pens have their entire lifetime to win, and we all know the red wings have players that are due for retirement...and should stay retired, but the pens also have some players who aren't going to have this oppertunity again. the best advice they got this year was to appreciate their oppertunities now. they can't think about the future, but of what they can achieve now. anyone who underrates this team doesn't know what they're looking at. everyone's using the word dynasty to decribe both these teams, but the truth is that they've all gone through problems, and they're both going to win.

Answer 15

Definately the pens franchise.

Go Pens Go

Answer 16

As you can see, you get answers based on a lot of criteria, including fandom.  I like the McCarty story most of all, especially since I was very concerned when I hear it might happen.  I was worried that he wouldn't be a help, but instead just take stupid penalties and change the overall chemistry of the team.  he's taken a few dummies, but he's been an overall positive force on the team.

Yound stars rising to the top isn't anything new.  Nost don't stay there, there, so this question will matter a lot more if they win the Cup, or in a few years if they stay at that level.  I am glad for the Penguins success; I'm just willing to see them wait another year.

Answer 17

I think the Penguins deserve to win based on circumstance.  Like you said, Fleury, Crosby, and Malkin have really saved the franchise.  The Pens success due to those three have definitely boosted their financial gain, and helped them land a new building.  With two #1 draft picks, a #2 pick, and a relatively young team, it would be nice for them to win.  Also, Crosby and Malkin are tied first and second respectively in points, Fleury #1 in wins and 2nd in save percentage.

But, Detroit has insane skill and consistency.  For the past 17 seasons they have made the playoffs and won the Cup 3 times.  That's a big congrats to their management, coaching, and scouting to create such a consistently amazing team for such a long time.  Also, I think Henrik Zetterberg should win his first Stanley Cup, because he has played so hard and is currently tied for first in playoff points, and second in goals.

Datsyuk should win it as well because he is such a hard worker and is tied for second in playoff points, and another Cup would be great after winning one his rookie season.

Answer 18

I think the Pens.  because a bunch of young guys won the cup and brought the cup back to pittsburgh. i think thats a better story.

Answer 19

I think its always more sentimental and a better feelgood story when someone overcomes issues to get that one last shot at glory.

Answer 20

Really the story is we finally have two truly gifted offensive teams playing and won't have to watch the puck dumped in every time someone crosses the god d**n red line.

Answer 21

I understand your points, Kimmy, but a slight correction.  The Penguins story is being written NOW.  No need to wait.  They are focused and ready to carry the mantle of "CHAMPION".

Answer 22

I gotta go with the Wings. the Penn's are a great team with alot of talent. But let's take it back to the Patrick Division days and as a Devils fan...kill...kill...kill.

(anyone who knows me will realize every pick I made went the other way so although I want the Wings the Penn's will complete there story book year because I don't want them too)

Answer 23

There is no doubt that PITT will be the focus of the topics on the telecasts. This is the NHLs big chance to market SID that much more. Lets hope Big Bad Detroit  throws a wrench into the NHLs plan and makes these number 1s look young and inexperienced.

Truthfully JOE, I think if Franzen comes back.. and he will, MAC will be the scratch! Setting up lines like this...

Dats- Zata- Holmer

Franzen- Sammy- Filppula

Drapes- Malts- Cleary

Helm- Drake- Huds