NHL: Top 5 best moments of the past decade
The 2010s were a heck of a decade for the NHL. In a decade with countless memories, here are the five that took our breath away.
Ten years can seem like an eternity in the hockey world. Your favorite team could have won a Stanley Cup, made a big trade or signing, or re-wrote the history books. In any case, a lot took place and there is so much to choose from, With that being said, here are my five moments that defined the past decade.
I will preface this article by saying that I couldn’t decide between a top five or top 10 list, seeing as all the moments I am about to mention (and honorably mention) are all pretty incredible. I decided to go with the five best moments, in my own opinion, that defined the decade (in no particular order) and most likely will not be accomplished in the next decade. The comment section can be where you guys debate what you think is worthy or not of making this list as well as ranking them.
Hall for Larsson, Subban for Weber and Stamkos re-signs – June 29, 2016
In what was probably the most shocking day in reference to news, the NHL saw two blockbuster deals and a re-signing in the span of 30 minutes. First, the Edmonton Oilers traded Taylor Hall to the New Jersey Devils in return for defenseman Adam Larsson.
The hope was that Hall, an elite talent, would get teams to budge on moving a top defenceman to help boost the Oilers defense. It would have worked, except the return wasn’t as elite. This move was ultimately the downfall of Chiarelli, as the Oilers barely improved and Hall won the Hart Trophy not too long after being dealt.
Minutes later, there was an even bigger trade. The Montreal Canadiens traded P.K. Subban to the Nashville Predators in exchange for Shea Weber. Rumors were circulating around Subban on how he was viewed by some in Montreal.
Regardless of the love, hate relationship within one another, GM Marc Bergevin made the move for an older, larger salary cap player, who would eventually become the next captain. Maybe that’s what Montreal was after, but either way, the spotlight went down to Tampa Bay after this trade.
After these two trades were announced, Steven Stamkos saw the opportunity to re-sign in Tampa Bay just two days away from free agency. Stamkos took to twitter to announce his new eight-year , $68 million deal while on the golf course with friends.
These moves were big-time ones for the teams involved and still show to this day. Subban has never been the same, Hall won an MVP and Stamkos took a pay-cut to build a Cup team, which they have still yet to win.
Pittsburgh Penguins win back to back Stanley Cups in the salary cap era – 2016 & 2017
Winning the Stanley Cup isn’t easy as an individual or even as a franchise. What makes it even harder is a salary cap. Somehow, in the salary cap era we are now in, the Pittsburgh Penguins were able to win the Cup back to back years.
The Penguins crushed the dreams of the San Jose Sharks in 2016, a team that had been knocking on Stanley’s door for the better part of the decade. They then took down the Predators, who also were seen as top contenders that season, the following year.
What’s more impressive to add is that they clinched victory both times on the road. When it’s all said and done, Crosby will definitely, well at least should be considered as one of the top five players of all time, and achievements such as back to back cups solidifies it.
General Manager Jim Rutherford was able to add cheap, young talent to play around the core of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Chris Kunitz, and Kris Letang. You also can’t forget about the play between the pipes with Marc-Andre Fleury and Matt Murray. It truly was incredible to see the same team during the cap era win the Stanley Cup back to back.
Chicago Blackhawks win 3 Stanley Cups in 6 years – 2010, 2013 & 2015
The Islanders of the ’70s, the Oilers of the ’80s, and the Blackhawks of the 2010s. What do they all have in common? They’re dynasties. Debate this if you must, but winning three Stanley Cups in six seasons, in the salary cap era mind you, is amazing.
Along with the Penguins’ achievement of winning two in a row, the Blackhawks were able to win three in a six-year span. This would be pretty hard to not call them a dynasty, right? Players were moved constantly during this six-year span, but the organization, built around Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Duncan Keith, and Corey Crawford, were able to put out competitive teams year in and year out. Just like Rutherford in Pittsburgh, Stan Bowman was able to find talent to play with its core and achieve ultimate success.
Vegas Golden Knights reach Stanley Cup final in first year of existence – 2018
As mentioned above, winning the Stanley Cup, let alone reaching the Cup final is a tremendous accomplishment. The Vegas Golden Knights entered the hockey world when they touched ice for the first time during the 2017-2018 season.
No one could have predicted that a team built up of pieces and castaways from other NHL franchises would reach the Cup final. But they did. To this day, Vegas remains a top contender in the NHL and maybe in the near future, they will actually win the Cup.
But for now, their inaugural season remains as one of the best ever, in any sport worldwide. Along with a finals appearance, they also took home some individual hardware. Gerard Gallant took home the Jack Adams (best coach), William Karlsson received the Lady Byng (sportsmanship), Vegas resident Deryk Engelland, nabbed the Messier Leadership Award (leader in hockey and the community), and then the genius behind it all, George McPhee took home the GM of the year honors. All in all, a historic and record-breaking season for the Vegas Golden Knights.
St. Louis goes from worst to first – 2019
January 3rd, 2019. The St. Louis Blues were dead last in the NHL standings on that day. They thought once Mike Yeo was fired as bench boss on November 19th and replaced with Craig Berube, things would start to turn around. The pain still lasted another month and a bit and the team was sure looking ready for a rebuild.
The Blues, just like the Sharks, had been constant contenders throughout the decade with no breakthrough to glory. Insert “play Gloria”, Laila Anderson, and Jordan Binnington. Finally glory was achieved.
The Blues made history by winning their first Stanley Cup in franchise history after previously losing the last three finals (in a row) they appeared in (1968, 1969,1970). We have never seen a team go from dead last to winning the Stanley Cup and we honestly may never see it again.
Those are my five best moments that defined the decade of hockey. Although many different things took place during this time that I didn’t choose, I felt like I should mention some that were on the bubble of making this list.
Next. 2010s All-Decade Team. dark
Honorable Mentions:
- Auston Matthews scores 4 goals in his NHL debut
- Alex Ovechkin finally wins the Stanley Cup
- The Winnipeg Jets return to Canada and the NHL
- Scott Foster, the accountant, makes NHL debut for Blackhawks in emergency appearance
- Norfolk Admirals (AHL) set North American record for longest winning streak at 28 games
- Los Angeles Kings win 2 Stanley Cups in 4 years
- Blue Jackets sweep Lightning in round 1 after Lightning tie an NHL season record for points
Let me know what you think in the comments below or let me know on Twitter @writergiovanni