One thing that has become valued in the hockey world in recent years is a clear vision or plan from those in charge of assembling NHL rosters.
And while having a plan is a good thing (you certainly don’t want to be Jim Benning), I’m here today to argue that it’s possible to become too bogged down in a plan, or to have tunnel vision while attempting to build a team that fits a general manager’s preferred style.
The most prominent example of this that I can think of came following the 2011 Stanley Cup Final, when the Boston Bruins rode the stellar play of goaltender Tim Thomas to a championship.