OGWAC??? Why, it's old guys --- at least 33 years old with at least ten seasons in the NHL --- without a Cup. And with the Hurricanes being bounced last night, Brent Burns, at age 40 in his 21st season, continues the former Sharks' traditional role of never winning a Cup for their prized veterans: From a recent edition of The Athletic:
1. Brent Burns, Hurricanes
He’s waited patiently for the top spot to open up, and now it’s his. And in a way, it’s fitting that the OGWAC torch continues to be passed to former Sharks, going from Joe Thornton to Joe Pavelski and now to Burns.***
At 40, Burns is one of the oldest players left in the league, and the only one on our list who made his NHL debut in the pre-cap era. He’s now in his 21st season and will be appearing in his 12th playoff run. He fell just short with San Jose in the 2016 Final and has two other trips to the conference finals since.
In addition to playing at a Norris Trophy level, he’s been one of the league’s more entertaining characters over the years. But now he’s in the final year of his contract and his play has fallen off. Is this his last shot at the Cup that’s eluded him? Does he join former teammates Thornton and Pavelski on the all-time “never won it all” roster? Maybe, but he’s got a shot to rewrite his own story in the coming weeks. And really, that’s all any OGWAC can ask for.
***WHAT??? NO OGWAC LOVE FOR PATRICK MARLEAU, THE LONGTIME SHARK WHO PLAYED MORE NHL GAMES THAN GORDIE HOWE, AND NEVER WON A CUP???
Another Longtime San Jose Shark Joins the OGWAC List
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Pink Freud
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Re: Another Longtime San Jose Shark Joins the OGWAC List
It is VERY difficult to win a Cup.
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seattleblue
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Re: Another Longtime San Jose Shark Joins the OGWAC List
I see Burns and think of him Scooby Dooing in Game 4's opening shift. Steen buries him with a hit and he Scooby Doos until he face plants with his eyes the whole way watching the puck go in his net. Until Game 4 in this series he hadn't even won a game in round 3 after the Scooby Dooing. Love that for that entire franchise, they are down there with the Hawks as the bottom two.