As a Red Wings blog, we don't often take the time to appreciate other teams and their accomplishments, but since a Stanley Cup champion only comes around once a year, I thought it might be nice to at least recognize the team that claimed the Cup.

In that vein, I'd like to congratulate the Los Angeles Kings for being the only team in the last three years to win a Stanley Cup after grueling through an 82-game regular NHL season. It takes a special blend of ingredients to earn one's way to the top of the NHL two times in a short span while also having to actually play a full schedule's worth of games.

Additionally, I'd like to applaud them for doing so without having to completely overhaul their roster to become cap compliant and without having two years of disappointing first round exits between championships.

Good work, Los Angeles Kings. Congratulations.