We can only rejoice for Julien BriseBois. He constantly courts excellence in complex conditions due to the salary cap.
And, since taking on the role of general manager and big boss of the Tampa Bay Lightning hockey sector, the results confirm how quickly he reacted in the face of adversity to build an organization that now wants to be the example for other teams in the league.
BriseBois is methodical in the daily operations of the team.
As is Jon Cooper behind the bench of his training.
BriseBois knows how to deal with the salary cap, and each year he manages, at the deadline for transactions, to modify the workforce in order to bring even more depth to his company.
Like Jon Cooper who manages to integrate newcomers and entrust them with strategic roles, as he did with Nick Paul and Brandon Hagel.
BriseBois has never been shy about giving up its first-round picks to get players capable of giving its squad what it needs to go all the way. After all, the Lightning, over the years, have developed players picked far and wide in the draft. He hired unclaimed players giving them the opportunity to thrive in the American League before taking the plunge.
Cooper benefited from decisions made by an alert, well-informed administration.
The close guard
Usually, flirting with excellence requires making controversial decisions, taking risks, but calculated risks. Flirting with excellence also requires a commitment from everyone within the company.
Julien BriseBois and his inner circle have given the company objectives that sometimes seem unrealistic, but when you have this winner’s culture, this commitment to pushing the effort required for excellence to the maximum, then the results confirm that the concept is respected to the letter.
Steven Stamkos underlined after his team’s victory on Saturday that he felt great pride in belonging to a group that respected the plan submitted by the coach.
The Lightning trailed against Toronto, they won.
He was behind against Rangers, he won.
From the third game, no one in the Rangers managed to surprise Andrei Vasilevskiy on a par, except for defender Ryan Lindgren. Nika Zibanejad, no goals. Chris Kreider, no goals. Artemi Panarin did not worry the Lightning’s defensive squad.
And Gerard Gallant allowed himself to leave out Kaapo Kakko in favor of Brayden Hunt.
But, regardless of the changes at the Rangers, the Lightning players enjoyed dragging the opponent into traps set all over the playing surface. The Rangers had no space in neutral territory. They had few opportunities, and sneaking into the favored area was nearly impossible.
Also, how many times did the Lightning players steal the puck from the Rangers skaters? Dozens of times. It was a great display from the defending champions.
Tough opponent in sight
Can they be as successful against the Avalanche?
It will be the toughest opponent of their long run.
The Leafs don’t have as much depth as Colorado. Neither did the Panthers, and the Rangers were visibly under-resourced.
The Avalanche is the diamond of the Western Association. This team has almost no flaws. An exceptional defender in Cale Makar. An explosive attack guided by Nathan MacKinnon. Top-notch support staff.
It is a spectacular formation. She copes well with adversity, she knows how to take up challenges. This is the third time in three years that we think we have the elements to achieve the much desired objective.
If the Avalanche are the most formidable opponent to invite themselves on the course of the Lightning, in this respect, Tampa Bay is the most worrying team to come between the formation of Denver and the Stanley Cup. The Avalanche’s run has been pretty easy: Nashville in four, the Blues in six and the Oilers in four.
However, the Lightning are the defending champions, and dethroning the grandmaster requires that we deploy all our resources, that we avoid the slightest slack.
The Avalanche have the balance both in attack and defense.
This formation presents an interrogation: in front of the net.
The Lightning also rely on a top-tier defensive squad. Victor Hedman and Ryan McDonagh are warriors. And, there is Vasilevskiy.
In attack, the reply will be severe with Nkita Kucherov and Steven Stamkos.
And, if in the playoffs, the coaches can sometimes make the difference, then you should not bet against Jon Cooper.
A dream final series for the NHL.
Colorado or Tampa? I do not know yet. The return of Brayden Point, however, could make a huge difference.
If the Lightning can’t defeat the Avalanche, it will still be another remarkable season for BriseBois and his group. And to think that 10 years ago, the Canadian had the choice between BriseBois and Marc Bergevin.
From gig for sakic
Joe Sakic took drastic measures to achieve the ultimate goal.
He has mastered the salary cap well, but after the final series, he will have to deal with a very long list of players who can claim free agent status.
Artturi Lehkonen is a player who is changing the business model of the Avalanche.
Also, we will have to prepare Nathan MacKinnon’s next contract and we can already predict that after the next season, the center player will enter the circle of Connor McDavid and company, that is to say, he will demand 12 M $ per season.
Colorado will enter the final series against the Lightning with 12 players whose contracts expire on July 1.
Can we keep Nazem Kadri in the team’s entourage? It is permissible to doubt it.
But if, for years, Julien BriseBois has challenged the improbable each season, Sakic will always be able to draw inspiration from his rival in the final series.