Whereas the Presidents’ Trophy has change into one thing of a joke to hockey followers lately, it’s nonetheless one thing the Jets, and their followers, ought to take some satisfaction in.
Particularly given the dearth of success all through the franchise’s historical past.
The argument towards the Presidents’ Trophy is that it isn’t the trophy anyone in hockey desires or is enjoying for. The Stanley Cup is the last word prize and the trophy that’s at all times the main focus. And that’s honest. It’s, in any case, the only largest purpose for each crew and participant.
The Presidents’ Trophy has additionally not produced a Stanley Cup winner for the reason that 2012-13 Chicago Blackhawks, and that got here in a lockout shortened 48-game season. You must return to the 2007-08 season with the Detroit Crimson Wings to seek out the final time an everyday season champion really gained the Stanley Cup. These are the one two cases of it taking place within the wage cap period.
So there’s some poor historical past there over the previous twenty years.
Despite the fact that it has been 12 years for the reason that Presidents’ Trophy crew gained the cup, it’s also value declaring that within the 37 years the NHL has handed out the award groups which have gained it have gone on to win the Stanley Cup eight instances. That is greater than some other seed within the Nos. 2-16 spots.
However none of that ought to matter once you take a look at the accomplishment for what it’s, which is the acknowledgement that you just have been one of the best crew within the league over a full 82-game schedule. There’s a lot to be stated for that, and it should not be a joke or one thing that’s simply tossed apart.
Particularly for a crew like Winnipeg that has by no means gained something in its historical past.
The franchise entered the NHL throughout the 1999-00 season because the Atlanta Thrashers, after which relocated to Winnipeg for the 2011-12 season. In all of that point, by way of each cities, the one type of banner the franchise might ever declare for itself was one Southeast Division title (a division that not exists) throughout the 2006-07 season.
That’s it. There has by no means been a convention championship and no Stanley Cup Last look. No championships. No prior Presidents’ Trophy. Nothing.
The franchise has been principally irrelevant and mediocre for two-and-a-half many years.
That is lastly an actual, tangible accomplishment and ought to be handled as such. You get a trophy for it. It’s banner worthy. It ought to be celebrated. Even when it isn’t the trophy all people is enjoying for, and even when prior winners of it haven’t at all times discovered playoff success.
