One element the Rangers could use – sooner rather than later – is a 'Brand."
Philadelphia's Broad Street Bullies had it when they won two straight Stanley Cups in 1974 and 1975. "Hit first and ask questions later" was the Bullies mantra. Dave (Hammer) Schultz was the chief banger on Team Intimidation .
"Don't forget that the Flyers also went to the Cup Final in 1976," reminds The Old Scout,
"but that year the Canadiens were just as tough – see Larry Robinson – and the Habs won the Cup, and three more in a row."
The Rangers had a form of that swagger and intimidating quality when Sean Avery was roaming the range but Ave's home on the Rangers was a bit too short for the club to be well-branded.
Now, we have before us, a genuine NHL club with a fresh – sometimes nasty – brand.
The Florida Panthers are tougher-across-the board and more skilled than the Flyers ever were on the best day The Bullies ever had. The Cats psunami-style hits teams with a tidal wave splash.
"They knock you out with either the first, second, third or fourth line," The Old Scout insists, "and on any given night all four will go after you."
"Cup Sam" Bennett leads the posse with Matt Tkachuk, Sam Reinhart and ex-Ranger and never forget it – Niko Mikkola tall in the saddle.
They play hard and – as the post-Cup celebrations clearly indicate – they party just as hard. Nor do they hide their displeasure with the two-time losing Oilers captain Connor McDavid.
As you'd expect from a Gashouse Gang On Skates, the Panthers attract critics who prefer a more Goodhousekeeping Magazine kind of hockey.
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<b>1. </b>Connor McDavid is making the Edmonton Oilers wait – and that's not nice if your name happens to be Kris Knoblauch or Stan Bowman, coach and GM, respectively.
Edmonton Journal hockey columnist David Staples was especially offended by a few insulting barbs hurled by the Winners at Captain McDavid. No sweat; it fits the brand. And, hey, Offended David, boys will be boys.
In fact it's just wonderful for hockey that Florida happens to be home to The Gashouse Gang of Hockey. The Cats also happen to be the best team in the world.
Check the scoreboard: "Playoff Sam" Bennett = 2 Stanley Cups. Captain McDavid = 0 Stanley Cup.
Which brand would you prefer?