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What do the Kings and Blackhawks have in common?

By Gary Hale |

I had previously done a write-up on the Los Angeles Kings Summer Transactions. One big move to pick-up Lucic and a number of minor shifts in the roster made up the off-season for the Kings. At the end of every season, there is a part of me that longs for some big changes on the roster simply because I like change (this is probably why I’d never be a GM!). Every year, each team is faced with big decisions related to their team make-up. They’re are always contracts that end, often with big name players. There are new prospects coming through the pipeline. And there is old blood that just needs to be shed to mix it up a little.

When you look at the most recent Stanley Cup champs, there is somewhat of a trend. In the past 6 years, the Kings and Blackhawks have won 5 of those Cups. This is probably why there is a buzz word used about these 2 teams:  DYNASTY.

Could the Los Angeles Kings and Chicago Blackhawks set the pace and tone for what happens in the off-season because of their most recent success? Will more teams begin to do what they do during the summer months? And if that’s the case, what are the key ingredients that have made these 2 teams so successful in recent years? Is it the moves the make during the summer or is there something else going on?

I think it’s a combo of moves made during the season & off-season. I’d break it down to these key elements:

1. BUILD FROM WITHIN

It’s just like they say in the business world – your best hires are often homegrown. A great explanation can be found in the 2012 Stanley Cup Champions Video below. Take a quick look. The part I’m talking about starts at 5 min 50 seconds:

The Kings made a strategic decision to commit to some young talent and build their team around that core. Players like Dustin Brown, Anze Kopitar, and Jonathan Quick. These guys have become the cornerstone of the team and there is no way they would have won 2 cups in the past 3 years without them.

Now, take a look at Chicago and you see the exact same thing. They’ve built their team around in-house talent like Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook, and Corey Crawford. Anytime I mention that last guy, I have to share my opinion:  I think he’s a terrible goalie. But somehow he keeps winning.

2. DEADLINE DEALS

The trade deadline puts me on a high every year. It almost feels like no one is off-limits and anything is possible. I LOVE THAT.

Deals made at the deadline by the Kings in 2012 & 2014 took them to the next level. In 2012, the Kings picked up a key performer & producer in Jeff Carter. They gave up Jack Johnson, but I’m kind of glad. He just didn’t fit the Kings system and style. And he has close to the worst + \ – rating in all of the NHL. I’ll take Carter over him any day.

And in 2014, the Kings grabbed Marian Gaborik. This was a risk because Gabby’s had injury issues and is very hot & cold on the stat sheet. But he proved to be the difference maker in getting the Kings to the cup. I’ll never forget this goal he scored in the Anaheim series to tie the game with only 7 seconds left on the clock:

Oh, and he went on to score the game winner in that game too.

Take a look at Chicago and you see a similar thread between the 2 teams with the only difference being the level of talent they brought in at the deadline.

In 2013, the snagged, ex-King, Michal Handzus. He’s not a huge threat, but was a solid 3rd line center to take some pressure off the big guys.

And in 2015, they picked Antoine Vermette. Another great 3rd line center who is ridiculously good in the face-off circle. He scored 2 huge game winners – one against Anaheim in double OT, and the other in game 1 of the finals versus the Lightning.

Now that is clutch, baby.

3. BIG CONTRACT EXTENSIONS

Both of these teams signed massive contract extensions during the off-season. And I mean MASSIVE. They locked in their cornerstone players to continue the dynasty. Just take a look:

2011 – Drew Doughty, 8 years for $56 million
2012 – Jonathan Quick, 10 years for $58 million
2013 – Corey Crawford, 6 years for $36 million
2013 – Dustin Brown, 8 years for $47 million
2014 – Jonathan Toews & Patrick Kane, 8 years for $84 million each
2015 – projecting Anze Kopitar, 7-8 years for $60 million

Hiding behind 5 Stanley Cups in the past 6 years are a number of common threads. I’d add another thread is the head coach. Quenneville was added a year prior to his first Cup in Chicago, while Sutter was added the same year as his first Cup with the Kings. And the thread will continue as the Los Angeles Kings become the 2016 Stanley Cup champs! #gokingsgo

Next: Los Angeles Kings 2015 Roster Preview

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