First off. Nashville is a hockey market that relies on Revenue Sharing, to keep their team afloat. They will never be a profitable hockey operation and they'll show it, in due time.

The toughest division in hockey is not the Metro division, it's the North East with the Florida dregs. The only reason that they where added, is due to the heavy population of snowbirds that will help fill the arena's down there. Outside of Pittsburgh, there is no second powerhouse team in the Metro division. Rangers? No scoring. Philly? In disarray most of the time. Islanders? No defense and goaltending. Washington? Like you said, beating up on last year's Southleast, got them into the playoffs. Carolina, New Jersey, Columbus....MEH!

Try on Boston, Detroit, Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto and see if you don't think that it's a murder's row up in the stupidly named Atlantic Division? The west has some decent teams, but they also have some welfare cases for franchises. They also have two less teams that make it easier to get into the playoffs. The power resides in the Frantic Division.

5. Tampa bay
4. Oilers
3. Leafs
2. Washington
1. Pittsburgh
- Yeti1181

I can`t disagree with Pitt having a TON of pressure. I think the Leafs are off the hook...as they are most years.

First off. Nashville is a hockey market that relies on Revenue Sharing, to keep their team afloat. They will never be a profitable hockey operation and they'll show it, in due time.

The toughest division in hockey is not the Metro division, it's the North East with the Florida dregs. The only reason that they where added, is due to the heavy population of snowbirds that will help fill the arena's down there. Outside of Pittsburgh, there is no second powerhouse team in the Metro division. Rangers? No scoring. Philly? In disarray most of the time. Islanders? No defense and goaltending. Washington? Like you said, beating up on last year's Southleast, got them into the playoffs. Carolina, New Jersey, Columbus....MEH!

Try on Boston, Detroit, Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto and see if you don't think that it's a murder's row up in the stupidly named Atlantic Division? The west has some decent teams, but they also have some welfare cases for franchises. They also have two less teams that make it easier to get into the playoffs. The power resides in the Atlantic Division.
- PrinceLH

Most of the NHL teams are not profitable on their own. Buffalo sells every seat before the season starts and breaks even. What does that tell you about the state of the NHL? Sure Canadian markets make profits, but that's selling tickets at 4 times NFL costs.

The toughest division in hockey is not the Metro division, it's the North East with the Florida dregs. The only reason that they where added, is due to the heavy population of snowbirds that will help fill the arena's down there. Outside of Pittsburgh, there is no second powerhouse team in the Metro division. Rangers? No scoring. Philly? In disarray most of the time. Islanders? No defense and goaltending. Washington? Like you said, beating up on last year's Southleast, got them into the playoffs. Carolina, New Jersey, Columbus....MEH!
- PrinceLH

In disarray most of the time? As evidenced by making the playoffs 16 out of the last 18 years? If so, what state are the Leafs in?

First off. Nashville is a hockey market that relies on Revenue Sharing, to keep their team afloat. They will never be a profitable hockey operation and they'll show it, in due time.

The toughest division in hockey is not the Metro division, it's the North East with the Florida dregs. The only reason that they where added, is due to the heavy population of snowbirds that will help fill the arena's down there. Outside of Pittsburgh, there is no second powerhouse team in the Metro division. Rangers? No scoring. Philly? In disarray most of the time. Islanders? No defense and goaltending. Washington? Like you said, beating up on last year's Southleast, got them into the playoffs. Carolina, New Jersey, Columbus....MEH!

Try on Boston, Detroit, Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto and see if you don't think that it's a murder's row up in the stupidly named Atlantic Division? The west has some decent teams, but they also have some welfare cases for franchises. They also have two less teams that make it easier to get into the playoffs. The power resides in the Atlantic Division.
- PrinceLH

seriously ottawa and montreal are tough?....only tough team is boston. Detroit is aging and on the decline.

In disarray most of the time? As evidenced by making the playoffs 16 out of the last 18 years? If so, what state are the Leafs in?
- wolfhounds

they are a power house now

In disarray most of the time? As evidenced by making the playoffs 16 out of the last 18 years? If so, what state are the Leafs in?
- wolfhounds

1. Florida
2. Columbus
3. Phoen- I mean, Arizona
4. Tampa Bay
5. Nashville

It's these big market teams that are under the most pressure from their enormous fan bases. If Toronto, Vancouver, New York or a similar team misses the playoffs, nobody notices. But think about the backlash if a team like Florida or Columbus misses out on the playoffs.

seriously ottawa and montreal are tough?....only tough team is boston. Detroit is aging and on the decline.
- PhillaBully

We say that every year about Detroit but they still win and keep making the playoffs, Ill never count them out

seriously ottawa and montreal are tough?....only tough team is boston. Detroit is aging and on the decline.
- PhillaBully

They arent??i agree they are not boston but they have some toughness throughout their lineup

Eklund: My Top Five Most Desperate Teams in the NHL in 2013-14. Yours?
- Eklund

"When a team who has won President trophies and gotten to within a game of a Stanley Cup has its star players in the final year of their contract AND hires John Tortorella you really need not say much more about the level of desperation that exists."

This is a great point, Ek. Especially as the Sedins have made it very clear they hate playing in Vancouver and want nothing more than to move on. From what management is saying it's obvious the two sides are ready to go their separate ways.

We say that every year about Detroit but they still win and keep making the playoffs, Ill never count them out
- DDM-Coga

I want to see what one full year without Lidstrom does to them.

They arent??i agree they are not boston but they arent really soft
- top shelf 15

(im just trying to rile up a disillusioned Maple leafs fan)..... you know he is planning the parade already ....

1. Florida
2. Columbus
3. Phoen- I mean, Arizona
4. Tampa Bay
5. Nashville

It's these big market teams that are under the most pressure from their enormous fan bases. If Toronto, Vancouver, New York or a similar team misses the playoffs, nobody notices. But think about the backlash if a team like Florida or Columbus misses out on the playoffs.
- hankthetank

Didn't know they even had teams

In disarray most of the time? As evidenced by making the playoffs 16 out of the last 18 years? If so, what state are the Leafs in?
- wolfhounds

It's been over 20 years since they've had a decent goaltender. They're always hacking and slashing contracts, buying over the hill talent, then trying to unload them. They're always battling the salary cap and outside of a handful of players, they're aging. Their defense is crumbling from old age, so where is the powerhouse there?

We say that every year about Detroit but they still win and keep making the playoffs, Ill never count them out
- DDM-Coga

But, i think, not sure to be honest, they get less and less points every year. Well not every year, but you get my point, dropping slightly?

I'm gonna check now

K, since Lock out 124, 113, 115, 112, 102, 104, 102


So yeah they are declining. Not by much though

(im just trying to rile up a disillusioned Maple leafs fan)..... you know he is planning the parade already ....
- PhillaBully

Oh ok, i see ottawa being decent but not ready for prime time just yet.They will be in the playoff mix but thats about it

I love the fact that the Oilers are finally at a point where being in "rebuild mode" is no longer acceptable. With MacT as GM & Eakins as Head Coach, going forward the focus will be on getting this team back in to the playoffs. While success is not guaranteed this season, it's pretty exciting as an Oilers fan to get to this point. GO OILERS GO!!! GO OILERS GO!!!

It's been over 20 years since they've had a decent goaltender. They're always hacking and slashing contracts, buying over the hill talent, then trying to unload them. They're always battling the salary cap and outside of a handful of players, they're aging. Their defense is crumbling from old age, so where is the powerhouse there?
- PrinceLH

I never said powerhouse, that was some other poster replying to my post. I simply contested disarray as a franchise descriptor for the Flyers.

But, soon enough the play of the teams will do the talking and we'll know for sure who's going to rise and who will fall.

I love the fact that the Oilers are finally at a point where being in "rebuild mode" is no longer acceptable. With MacT as GM & Eakins as Head Coach, going forward the focus will be on getting this team back in to the playoffs. While success is not guaranteed this season, it's pretty exciting as an Oilers fan to get to this point. GO OILERS GO!!! GO OILERS GO!!!


- Sammy Van Hagar

I think edm make some real progress this season,there will still be the bumps with such a young squad.They may not make the playoffs but they should be real close

First off. Nashville is a hockey market that relies on Revenue Sharing, to keep their team afloat. They will never be a profitable hockey operation and they'll show it, in due time.
- PrinceLH

I hope not, where else can I eat some pulled pork, drink some bourbon, stalk taylor swift, and watch a NHL game all in the same day. Dream vacation

We say that every year about Detroit but they still win and keep making the playoffs, Ill never count them out
- DDM-Coga

Best Run franchise in the league since 1995, maybe even a bit longer. Of course, all things must eventually change, but there's no taking away what Detroit has done.

5. Tampa bay
4. Oilers
3. Leafs
2. Washington
1. Pittsburgh
- Yeti1181

Why is TBay desparate? Vinik isn't concerned, he confident that Yzerman is on the right track.

Most of the NHL teams are not profitable on their own. Buffalo sells every seat before the season starts and breaks even. What does that tell you about the state of the NHL? Sure Canadian markets make profits, but that's selling tickets at 4 times NFL costs.
- Buffalo-Sabres

this.

I hope not, where else can I eat some pulled pork, drink some bourbon, stalk taylor swift, and watch a NHL game all in the same day. Dream vacation
- DDM-Coga

I'd rather play golf, ride Roller coasters, chance bikini clad women and then go watch hockey.... In December!