Editorial Rumblings - The Two National Hockey Leagues

[doniceage]

There has been much talk about how there are no longer any Canadian teams left in playoffs. The same old song and dance happens almost every season when the last Canadian-based team falls out. We get to hear all about how no Canadian team has won the Stanley Cup since the Montreal Canadiens did back in 1993 - again - and then they lament over the state of hockey in Canada.

And every time this circus breaks out, I can't help but think, "This is one league, and not two, right?" Sure, seven Canadian cities haven't seen a Stanley Cup parade in almost 20 years. But then, 12 US cities haven't, either.

http://www.rawcharge.com/2012/4/30/2...hockey-leagues

[MrOpinion]

And frankly, what does it matter if a Canadian team hasn't won or not? There are a lot less of them to win, and the league is much more of an international league than it was even 20 years go. The Canadian teams don't necessarily have a roster full of Canadians.

[Wickabee]

Here in Canada there is, for some reason, a belief that we own the sport, we own the Cup. It`s the same mentality that said a team could never work in Nashville or Florida and it`s a bunch of crap. The cup goes to the champion, plain and simple and no one owns it (except the league, I guess). Until every Canadian team except Toronto leaves, we in Canada have nothing to complain about.

At the same time, when you watch some of the games, it`s VERY easy to believe there is a conspiracy against Canadian teams among league officials that plays out on the ice.

[30ranfordfan]

Meh.

Personally, I have never understood the "Canada's Team" mentaility.

It would have absolutley ZERO impact on my national pride if any of the seven Canadian based club teams won the Stanley Cup.

Want to cheer for Canada? Watch the Olympics, WJCs, World Championships, etc. Those are Canada's teams.... not the Leafs, Habs, Canucks, Oilers, etc.

[centrehice]

I've never understood simply wanting a Canadian team to win.

I had my arms twisted and my eyes blackened because I lived in Canada in the 50's and 60's and cheered for the Detroit Red Wings in the Original 6 days.

Kids that were Hab and Leaf fans would start fist-fights with me because I went for Gordie Howe and not Jean Beliveau.

Nowadays nobody cares anymore and many Canadians have teams they cheer for that are nowhere near where they themselves live.

Many cheer for the other teams simply because the Leafs by definition are a complete and utter disappointment.