this.
- Artyukhin76

This is why guys like kassian,paros magratton all still have jobs

5. NYI . They want to get rid of their crazy owner
4. NYR .THey hired AV .That screams desperate
3. Canucks . We hired Torts who is too busy screaming at the press about cell phones.
2 . Luongo to get the hell out of Vancouver
1. Fla Panthers who had 23 fans attend their first pre season game and hired the nutjob Thomas.

Why is TBay desparate? Vinik isn't concerned, he confident that Yzerman is on the right track.
- Artyukhin76

You have that much talent and you finish that low, if they areNt concerned then they shouldn't be in the business.

5. NYI . They want to get rid of their crazy owner
4. NYR .THey hired AV .That screams desperate
3. Canucks . We hired Torts who is too busy screaming at the press about cell phones.
2 . Luongo to get the hell out of Vancouver
1. Fla Panthers who had 23 fans attend their first pre season game and hired the nutjob Thomas.
- VANTEL

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

To be fair, everyone is always aging
All good teams have a proper mix of youth and veterans. As is natural with veterans, they get older. Most (good) teams have this problem. Chicago has Hossa. Boston has Chara. LA has... Well LA is just perfect . Detroit has Datsyuk, and Zetterberg. Pittsburgh has Kunitz and Dupuis. We have Timonen, Streit, and Vinny. We're doin just fine age-wise.

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

I would love to know your criteria Ek. Are you talking about a franchise's desperation? A particular fan base? Or a group of particular players/coaching staff?

What makes a franchise desperate? IMO, these are organizations that don't make money. So what if a team doesn't win a Stanley Cup as long as the organization and owner are making tons of money. These organizations are businesses. They aren't looking for accolades they are looking for profits.

A fan base’s desperation usually arises from a lack of winning or a lack of cups. Self explanatory.

Players and coaching staff feel the same as fans. I think they get desperate for wins, trophies, and recognition. For players they also get desperate for the big pay cheque.

So as you can see I have a hard time understanding your perspective.

I would love to know your criteria Ek. Are you talking about a franchise's desperation? A particular fan base? Or a group of particular players/coaching staff?

What makes a franchise desperate? IMO, these are organizations that don't make money. So what if a team doesn't win a Stanley Cup as long as the organization and owner are making tons of money. These organizations are businesses. They aren't looking for accolades they are looking for profits.

A fan base’s desperation usually arises from a lack of winning or a lack of cups. Self explanatory.

Players and coaching staff feel the same as fans. I think they get desperate for wins, trophies, and recognition. For players they also get desperate for the big pay cheque.

So as you can see I have a hard time understanding your perspective.
- bloatedmosquito

I thought that too. What is the criteria here? Far too subjective to allow any conversation.

Please provide a frame of reference or at least some brief criteria statement.


Sheesh, first post here in 4 months and it has to be this?

Lundqvist's agent and The Rangers have been in discussion about a contract extension since camp opened? Do you purposefully try to make yourself look stupid?
- blacksheep1

(Says the guy with the Atlanta Logo)

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.
- PrinceLH

So because for the first time in a while both MTL and TOR make the playoffs in a shortened season lets not forget while we are throwing stones here. It automatically makes it miles better then arguably the best division the last few season? by your logic if Tor and MTL miss this season and NJ and Philly make it the Metro becomes the best division in the east ? You kid yourself by thinking because you almost put out the bruins that it means you would of made it to the final because you came the closest to putting them out ? just dumb so I guess because florida was one goal away from putting out NJ in the first round that means they would have went on to beat the flyers and rangers? just like the leafs would of had of beat the rangers and pitts had they made it past the bruins. Craziness just craziness.

I would love to know your criteria Ek. Are you talking about a franchise's desperation? A particular fan base? Or a group of particular players/coaching staff?

What makes a franchise desperate? IMO, these are organizations that don't make money. So what if a team doesn't win a Stanley Cup as long as the organization and owner are making tons of money. These organizations are businesses. They aren't looking for accolades they are looking for profits.

A fan base’s desperation usually arises from a lack of winning or a lack of cups. Self explanatory.

Players and coaching staff feel the same as fans. I think they get desperate for wins, trophies, and recognition. For players they also get desperate for the big pay cheque.

So as you can see I have a hard time understanding your perspective.
- bloatedmosquito

Good question and strong point

So because for the first time in a while both MTL and TOR make the playoffs in a shortened season lets not forget while we are throwing stones here. It automatically makes it miles better then arguably the best division the last few season? by your logic if Tor and MTL miss this season and NJ and Philly make it the Metro becomes the best division in the east ? You kid yourself by thinking because you almost put out the bruins that it means you would of made it to the final because you came the closest to putting them out ? just dumb so I guess because florida was one goal away from putting out NJ in the first round that means they would have went on to beat the flyers and rangers? just like the leafs would of had of beat the rangers and pitts had they made it past the bruins. Craziness just craziness.
- blizzzard

Very true, it doesn't make sense.
IMO all four divisions will be interesting to watch.

Very true, it doesn't make sense.
IMO all four divisions will be interesting to watch.
- Tripple_B9

I mean seriously can we not at least franking wait to see if the Leafs can some how have the worse stats in the league and make the play offs again ? I am sick of the crap I would take the NYR and Lundquist and their "No offense" over the Leafs in a play off series as it stands right now every day of the week and twice on sundays

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

Sounds an awful lot like toronto....

5) Philadelphia Flyers - they have too good of a team to not make the playoffs again this year.

4) San Jose Sharks - they have been on the cusp of greatness for too long. Their window is closing fast.

3) Toronto Maple Leafs - they need to rebound after what happened in the playoffs last year. Time to rise above boys.

2) Vancouver Canucks - see San Jose

1) Edmonton Oilers - longest playoff drought in hockey, how many 1st overall picks on the roster? Time to pay the fans back for all the losing.
- Kinger34

A leaf fan calling a team out for a playoff drought??



You do know those first overall were 21, 19 and 18 years of age last season right?
While this year is certainly huge for that core of kids to start winning etc, should they have been carrying the team to cups already?

A little thought before posting woulda been wise on this one bro

I mean seriously can we not at least franking wait to see if the Leafs can some how have the worse stats in the league and make the play offs again ? I am sick of the crap I would take the NYR and Lundquist and their "No offense" over the Leafs in a play off series as it stands right now every day of the week and twice on sundays
- blizzzard

amazing what one disastrous playoff appearance has done to some of them

So because for the first time in a while both MTL and TOR make the playoffs in a shortened season lets not forget while we are throwing stones here. It automatically makes it miles better then arguably the best division the last few season? by your logic if Tor and MTL miss this season and NJ and Philly make it the Metro becomes the best division in the east ? You kid yourself by thinking because you almost put out the bruins that it means you would of made it to the final because you came the closest to putting them out ? just dumb so I guess because florida was one goal away from putting out NJ in the first round that means they would have went on to beat the flyers and rangers? just like the leafs would of had of beat the rangers and pitts had they made it past the bruins. Craziness just craziness.
- blizzzard

to much for my blood..

Why aren't the sharks on this list? Same core of veterans with the Same coach for how long now? Maybe everyone just knows that they won't get it done.

Nucks and Rangers have new coaches this year. Are these coaches on a one year hot seat?

i am first
- Crimsoninja

Congrats Crims, it's as close to 1st as you'll see all year

Since player movement rumors are my specialty....
- Eklund

News to me.

Vancouver isn't playing in the weak Northwest division this season. They will either miss the playoffs entirely or sneak in as a bottom seed.
- tkecanuck341

This. Vancouver is in for a rude awakening now that they have some division opponents that are worth a damn.

Congrats Crims, it's as close to 1st as you'll see all year
- cranford93

fu cranny

This. Vancouver is in for a rude awakening now that they have some division opponents that are worth a damn.
- MartiniMan

You are a genius. You should tell the odd makers this. Because they have given the canucks the second best odds at winning their division.

How could Vegas survive without your perspective? Better get on the phone!

EDIT:

Los Angeles Kings 8/5
Vancouver Canucks 3/1
San Jose Sharks 9/2
Anaheim Ducks 11/2
Edmonton Oilers 11/2
Phoenix Coyotes 16/1
Calgary Flames 30/1

fu cranny
- Crimsoninja

Love ya bro!

You are a genius. You should tell the odd makers this. Because they have given the canucks the second best odds at winning their division.

How could Vegas survive without your perspective? Better get on the phone!

EDIT:

Los Angeles Kings 8/5
Vancouver Canucks 3/1
San Jose Sharks 9/2
Anaheim Ducks 11/2
Edmonton Oilers 11/2
Phoenix Coyotes 16/1
Calgary Flames 30/1
- bloatedmosquito

and rightly so.

outside of LA, can anyone make an argument that SJ, Anaheim etc are unequivocally better at this point? not anyone who's using their heads and not just hating.

i personally have la and sj as the front runners, but its CERTAINLY debateable and it's tough to see vancouver out of the playoffs. sj is probably nearer the end of the line than vancouver is and could implode.
van's demise is GREATLY exaggerated.

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

And yet they went to the Cup finals four years ago, something the Leafs haven't done in 46 years. Flyers have some great young talent mixed with some good vets, they're far from in a desperate situation.

The Canucks on the other hand, need to have a good season....but that's another story.