Who Will Join The Exclusive Gold Medal-Stanley Cup Double Club?
photo credit: USA Today Sports
It is a very select group that has only 6 members. Winning the Olympic Gold Medal and then the Stanley Cup in the same season. Ken Morrow (USA, New York Islanders) was the first to do it in 1980, and he was the lone member for 20 years until the 2000 Canadian Olympic team and the Detroit Red Wings added Steve Yzerman and Brendan Shanahan to the list. From there, the list doubled in 2010 as once again Canada and the Chicago Blackhawks allowed Jonathan Toews, Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook to join the club.
Of the 25 players on the Canadian roster that completed the first half of the double, 20 will be participating in the Stanley Cup playoffs for their respective teams.
Toews and Keith have the opportunity to incredibly accomplish the feat twice, and in this case it would be a sandwich with two Stanley Cups acting as the bread with the Olympic Gold as the meat inside.
There are a number of teams that could have more than one player join the club. In fact, 11 of the 16 teams in the post-season have a member of the Canadian Olympic Gold Medal team.
Here is the group of players that could join the Big Double Club.
Patrice Bergeron, BOSTON BRUINS
Apr 3, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Boston Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron (37) skates against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated Boston 4-3 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
The Bruins look like they might have the easiest and least physical road to the finals. After either the Wings or Blue Jackets, they would face the Habs or Lightning in round 2, neither of which would be anticipated to be grinding series most of the other potential wars of attrition that will be in the first and second rounds.
Alex Pietrangelo & Jay Bouwmeester, ST. LOUIS BLUES
Nov 7, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues goalie Brian Elliott (1) celebrates with teammates center David Backes (42) and defenseman Jay Bouwmeester (19) and defenseman Alex Pietrangelo (27) after defeating the Calgary Flames at Scottrade Center. St. Louis defeated Calgary 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
A late season slide and key injuries have put doubt into the legitimacy of the Blues, who were thought of as favorites up until a week ago, but now face a possible first round matchup with the Blackhawks.
Ryan Getzlaf & Corey Perry, ANAHEIM DUCKS
Nov 18, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Getzlaf (15) celebrates after scoring a goal with right wing Corey Perry (10) against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the third period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Penguins won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
The top scoring duo in the league will be counted upon to pace the potential top seeded Ducks, who managed to avoid both the Sharks and Kings in the first round.
Jonathan Toews, Patrick Sharp & Duncan Keith, CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS
photo credit: USA Today Sports
Two of them could join the club for the second time. Toews has had some rest over the last week or so, and should be ready to take his Captain Serious role back to the playoffs.
Sidney Crosby & Chris Kunitz, PITTSBURGH PENGUINS
Jan 22, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Chris Kunitz (14) and center Sidney Crosby (right) celebrate a goal by Crosby against the Montreal Canadiens during the second period at the CONSOL Energy Center. Pittsburgh won 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
The success of the Penguins will be determined by the play of goalie Marc-Andre Fleury. Crosby will win the Art Ross and most likely the Hart, to go along with captaining the Gold Medal team and would like to add another Stanley Cup to the mountain of hardware this season.
Patrick Marleau & Marc-Edouard Vlasic, SAN JOSE SHARKS
Jan 25, 2014; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic (44), center Patrick Marleau (12) and Minnesota Wild left wing Dany Heatley (15) during a face off in the second period at SAP Center at San Jose. Sharks won 3 to 2 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports
Vlasic was one of the more under the radar selections, but equated himself well in Sochi. This might finally be the year of the Shark, but they get a difficult first round matchup.
Drew Doughty & Jeff Carter, LOS ANGELES KINGS
Mar 27, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Los Angeles Kings center Jeff Carter (77) and defenseman Drew Doughty (8) celebrate a goal by Carter against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Kings won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Doughty has been nursing a shoulder injury, and the Kings need him at full strength as the Kings have drawn a tough first round matchup in the Sharks.
Rick Nash & Martin St. Louis, NEW YORK RANGERS
Apr 1, 2014; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; New York Rangers forward Martin St. Louis (26) is congratulated by forward Rick Nash (61) and defenseman Anton Stralman (6) after scoring against Vancouver Canucks goaltender Eddie Lack (not pictured) during the third period at Rogers Arena. The New York Rangers won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
The Rangers will be in tough against the Flyers, and will need both of their Canadian Olympians in full flight. St. Louis has struggled to find the back of the net since coming over last month.
Matt Duchene, COLORADO AVALANCHE
Mar 10, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche forward Matt Duchene (9) during the first period against the Winnipeg Jets at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Injured heading down the stretch, might not be ready to start the post-season, but the Avs could still net the top seed in the West without him.
Carey Price & P.K. Subban, MONTREAL CANADIENS
Jan 28, 2014; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens defenseman P.K. Subban (76) congratulates teammate goalie Carey Price (31) after he made a save during the first period against the Carolina Hurricanes at the Bell Centre. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
The Habs have drawn the most favorable first round matchup possible, the Tampa Bay Lightning, so they could get to round two, where the Bruins will likely be waiting.
Jamie Benn, DALLAS STARS
Mar 24, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Stars left wing Jamie Benn (14) is named the number two star after the win over the Winnipeg Jets at the American Airlines Center. The Stars defeated the Jets 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Benn and the Stars will be underdogs in the first round whether they play the Ducks, Avalanche or Blues.