Believe what your seeing, folks.
As the Vegas Golden Knights continue to thrive in their unthinkable opening campaign – remarkably now in the Stanley Cup Final – a new debate has sparked throughout the hockey world; “Did Vegas gain an unfair advantage through the newly implemented NHL expansion draft?”.
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Not only do I think this question has a very simple answer, but I strongly believe that anyone who says otherwise is either a ‘butt hurt’ fan who’s envious of Vegas’ successes after just one season, or has never taken the time to look beyond the stats, and watch them play.
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The Golden Knights have deservingly made it this far because of the WAY they were built, their play style, the overall commitment to the team and city, and the unmatchable passion they’ve consistently played with.
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Starting with their construction via the expansion draft, Vegas executed their plan to perfection selecting rock solid second and third line options, that have now budded into stars as a unit. Of course they picked up two eventual All-Stars in the Penguins’ James Neal and Marc-Andre Fleury, but those guys were considered “older, out-of-prime players” just as season ago following their second consecutive title with Pittsburgh. Unlike almost every championship-caliber team in all sports, this team does not have a bona-fide star skating, and leading this team to glory. It’s truly just one of the greatest collective efforts by a team in sports history.
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Secondly, my point about actually watching this team play comes into the equation. This group plays three hard fought, fast, periods with no regrets unlike any hockey team we’ve seen in a long time. Lead by HC Gerrard Gallant’s phenomenal coaching effort, Vegas boasts a unique, high-paced playing style where there’s never a ‘negative’ line in play of substitutions.
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My final piece of reasoning may be the most important, though. Personally, I think that the passion, and desire this team plays with has TRULY lead them this far in the end. From the tragic Las Vegas shootings that came subsequent with their inaugural game, to the city FINALLY having a professional sports team to love and support, and of course; the fact that these players now had something to play for, as they were legitimately let go by their original teams because they were “not good enough”; all this has came together in the team’s mind as the fuel for this journey.
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I really don’t care that this team is an expansion team, and has experienced more success than not only all expansion teams, but teams in sports have ever had. This team and city may be more deserving of a cup after this season than any other team in history considering the way they’ve battled all season. Whether they notch Lord Stanley or not, they deserve every piece of credit thus far.
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Comment your thoughts below as I’m very curious on whether or not you guys agree, or not.
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P/C: GoldenKnights Twitter