Deserved Cup

The Tampa Bay Lightning’s conquest of the Stanley Cup did not come under the same circumstances as in years past, but that does not detract from the feat of Jon Cooper’s team.

I disagree with those who downplay the Lightning’s feat due to the particular formula of the 2020 playoffs. After all, it is said that the Chicago Blackhawks, who won the Stanley Cup in 2013 after the return of the lockout that forced the cancellation of half of the season, less deserved the trophy?

The Lightning did not choose to play under these circumstances. Obviously, 2020 will be remembered as the year of the pandemic, the one in which players were placed in a bubble away from all outside contact in order to end the season and allow them to fight for the Stanley Cup.

Precisely, Tampa Bay has gone through all these stages. Do not think that living two months in a bubble, far from the family, was a piece of pleasure for the team of Jon Cooper. It is obvious that there have been internal disputes, little bickering here and there.

Yes, it was weird seeing Gary Bettman handing the cup to Steven Stamkos when there was no one in the stands. It was different. But the Lightning deserves this conquest as much as any past champion.

GET UP

Remember, Tampa Bay experienced the worst humiliation last year after finishing the regular season with the most wins in NHL history at 62, tied with the Detroit Red Wings in 1995-96. .

The team were favorites to take top honors, but had been shown the exit door in four small games by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the first round. They lived through the agony of defeat and General Manager Julien BriseBois found himself with several hot files on his desk. Should he fire Jon Cooper?

Could the roster he had in his hands win or did he have to trade some veterans?

In the end, the Quebecer did not panic and chose the option of patience. During the trade deadline, he was criticized for obtaining the services of support players Barclay Goodrow and Blake Coleman at a steep price. Now no one can criticize him anymore.

THE CONTRIBUTION OF QUEBEC

What is even more satisfying about the Lightning victory is the quantity of Quebecers and QMJHL products that are in the organization.

Obviously, on the ice, the team counted on Yanni Gourde, Cédric Paquette, Alex Killorn and Mathieu Joseph, but also on Ondrej Palat and Nikita Kucherov, who played in the Courteau circuit. Not to mention amateur recruiter Michel Boucher, team player development director Jean-Philippe Côté as well as Mathieu Darche, who was in his first year as the team’s director of hockey operations.