Jun 5, 2016
Thumbs up to Donskoi and McDavid
TSN's Dave Hodge gives “thumbs up” to Joonas Donskoi for breathing life into the San Jose Sharks and into the Stanley Cup Final, as well as “thumbs up” to the Edmonton Oilers and Connor McDavid for his on - and off - ice value.
By Dave Hodge
The Stanley Cup Final between Pittsburgh and San Jose shouldn’t be a four-game sweep. And thanks to Joonas Donskoi, it won’t be.
It’ll take two, three or four more games to decide which team is best, but in reality, it’s that many plays, or breaks, or bounces that make the difference. Maybe the best team gets them, but maybe not.
Pittsburgh is the best team so far and deserves a lead. A 2-1 lead, but not 3-0.
When the games are this close in a Stanley Cup Final, the results should reflect that.
If Pittsburgh gets big goals from rookies like Bryan Rust and Conor Sheary, it is fitting that the Sharks answer with one from Donskoi, an unheralded free agent from Finland.
Matt Murray of the Penguins and San Jose’s Martin Jones traded big saves Saturday night. One goalie wasn’t better than the other, just busier in Jones’ case. But one goalie had to let in an overtime goal. Fair’s fair that it should be Murray, at least once.
It’s a series now, and you always have to wait for games to be played in both cities before you know what it’ll be like.
In the end, this Stanley Cup Final could be very good. A four-game sweep would have been unfortunate, if not very bad. “Thumbs up” to Donskoi for breathing life into the Sharks, and into the series. It needed something. Sorry Pittsburgh fans, but it didn’t need a sweep.
Added Value
As the NHL free-agent signing period draws closer, be prepared to hear Connor McDavid’s name more than you might expect.
It goes without saying that McDavid is not approaching free agency, so why is he part of the discussion that will take place between now and July 1, and beyond?
Pretty simple, really. The Edmonton Oilers’ fabulous freshman is a recruiting tool more valuable than most. A winger looking for a new team might not need to hear any other offers if the chance to play with McDavid is presented along with a suitable bundle of money.
It remains to be seen how the Oilers want to proceed in building a top forward line around McDavid. He could certainly find himself with familiar linemates, but persistent speculation has Edmonton answering the need for help on defence by trading a top forward such as Jordan Eberle.
That would open the free-agent door, and just inside would be a welcome mat with McDavid’s face on it.
The days when free agents avoided Edmonton should be in the past. It’s all “thumbs up” for the Oilers in that regard now.
Connor McDavid’s greatest value will always be on the ice. But it doesn’t end there.