As the 2015 Stanley Cup Final winds toward a conclusion, the eventual champion will inevitably be compared to previous winners. Determining how this year's champ measures up to those of the past 25 years makes a good topic for debate among hockey fans.
The game has changed over the past quarter-century. Between 1989 and 1994, teams played a wide-open offensive style. From 1995 to 2004, the game was more defensive. Over the last decade, teams have come to favor a faster, two-way style.
To properly evaluate each championship team, factors such as roster depth, performance of top players and quality of opposition must be taken into account.