Nós queremos um outro jogo!

Football, Hockey, Major Sports

Posted by Obiora, June 5, 2008 - 12:54 pm

In the wake of the Penguins Stanley Cup Finals loss to the Detroit Red Wings, I am reminded of Dan Marino. In 1984, the sophomore signal caller of the Miami Dolphins burst onto the NFL scene, throwing for over 5,000 yards (still an NFL record) and 48 touchdowns (a record that stood for 20 years). He led his team to the Superbowl, losing to Joe Montana’s 49ers, 38-16. It turned out to be Marino’s only Superbowl appearance. In fact, the Dolphins only reached the AFC Championship twice more in 15 years.

Ok ok, before I slip off into a diatribe about Don Shula, let’s get to the point - that Penguins fans’ despondency over a Stanley Cup loss and subsequent hope for a brighter future must be tempered by a recognition that the sports gods are fickle fiends.

The Penguins have the talent in place to make another run despite impending free agent losses. Marian Hossa, Gary Roberts, Pascal Dupuis, Adam Hall, Ryan Malone, Brooks Orpik, Ty Conklin, Georges Laraque and Jarkko Ruutu are slated to become free agents. I would love to see the Penguins shell out some money for Orpik, a tough and talented defender who played a spectacular series. Still, Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Jordan Staal and Marc-Andre Fleury will be back. Mark Eaton should finally return from injuries.

Regardless of defections, the Penguins should contend next year and the Finals loss will eat at them all summer.

But who can delay the whips and scorns of time. Any team, young or not, that loses a championship cannot be assured of future success. The Penguins weathered long stretches without Crosby and Fleury last year but luck may not be a lady next year.

The Detroit Red Wings aren’t going anywhere either. Though an older team, the Red Wings don’t rebuild; they simply reload despite constantly drafting low. Don’t be surprised to see these two teams again in next year’s Stanley Cup Finals.

Back to Marino - I take solace from a couple differences between the Penguins and the inept Dolphins. Those Dolphins teams were never as complete as even this year’s Penguins. Of course, football and hockey are very different sports. However, Pittsburgh has a better organization than Miami, a better owner and general manager. The Penguins had one of the best defenses in the NHL and great complements to Crosby in Evgeni Malkin and Marc-Andre Fleury. Marino had almost no help offensively, only one 1,000 yard rusher in all his years in Miami and never had a great defense. And thankfully the Penguins don’t have Don Shula as head coach.

Photo Credit: Keith Srakoci/AP

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