Ducks' challenge: Repeat

0 Comments | USA TODAY, October, 2007 | by Kevin Allen

When NHL champions struggle the following season, it's called a "Stanley Cup hangover," but the real headache for the Anaheim Ducks' hope of repeating this season results from the competitive balance the league trumpets.

"The salary cap was put into place to disperse talent, and that has happened," Detroit Red Wings general manager Ken Holland says.

No NHL team has won back-to-back titles since the Red Wings in 1997 and 1998, and repeating might become more challenging as the salary cap becomes more established.

When the Red Wings won back-to-back titles, Holland says there were probably six to eight legitimate contenders. Now he says there are 15 or more, plus the possibility of upsets.

"It's tough to repeat, but if anyone can do it,...