I get it, PLD was a failure. But the fact that he got out of it is credit to Blake.
Fans have unrealistic expectations and think the job is easy. With that said, again, PLD was a failure and most fans weren’t on board to begin with, but it’s still hard.
Pacific divison is kind of terrible all around outside of Canucks and Oilers rn, so I wouldn't be shocked if the kings can sneak in, it'll come down to whether they can edge out the Golden Knights
How did I, as a rather casual NHL fan, see this question, and immediately have ‘LA Kings’ pop into my head with no justification really, just to see it as the top response?
The lack of a top 5 or even top 10 goalie will be the main reason the Kings will finish out of the playoffs next season.
The lack of scoring will be the other. Only 3 players had 70 or more points last season and the top scorer had 75. That won’t do it in this league. The team was 17th in scoring last season.
That Dubois trade will haunt the team for a couple more years..
Blake is gone if the Kings don’t make the playoffs. This is on him.
I think the Kings are gonna be fine. Dubois trade will always hurt but getting rid of him is a great positive. Also, Kuemper is a legitimate starting goalie when not on a terrible Caps (or earlier, coyotes) team. First line of Kempe, Kopitar and Byfield to top it off, not bad.
As an Isles fan, we shouldn’t have even been in this year. That being said, im ready for another roller coaster season with a mix of high blood pressure and confusion
I'd rather have that than a huge push through the season into a 10 point cushion then implode in March and force the final period (or faceoff) of two final games to determine your playoff future.
If there's one team I will always lowkey cheer for being a diehard Oilers fan... it's the Islanders.
Don't ask me why.
I have no reason.
I like the cut of their jib, I suppose.
Finished 3rd in the Metro lol. I get that Isles fans feel like we sneak in every year, but we have not been the 8th seed. Clinching by March vs. clinching in end of April means nothing in the end.
We made it in, says enough to me that we belonged in the mix. With a full year of Roy behind the bench coming up, and hope that Sorokin can find his game again, we most certainly can make the postseason again this coming season.
What's sad is, of course Arizona isn't ever going to playoffs again (Because they no more) but I also doubt Utah will either. Not just on a player level, The Utah Jazz have yet to win in the NBA, they went one year and lost. I think this state is just cursed.
Blues will be a fringe WC team. We were in the hunt until the Preds crazy run, and the Kings finished strong enough as we dropped off. Most likely us, though the Kraken had some tough luck last season. The Wild will also be a fringe WC team too
That's one of several reasons. We were one of the best teams against the top teams in the league, but our losses against bottom teams certainly was frustrating. You just can't overlook the crazy run the Preds went on, and the Kings and VGK just had better records
Well we keep adding to the D and that’s not our problem, it’s scoring…. A handful of 20 G scorers, nobody we can consistently say, we can count on to score in Most games
Arvi was a Huge mistake and to let him go to the Oilers…. Yah health issues but think we got rid of him when we waited for his to be 100% and chucked him.
We’ve finished top 3 in the league in each of the last 4 seasons and won a playoff series in each. Only chance we miss is if Aho or Slavin have long term injuries. We had the league worst goaltending up until December and we were still in a playoff spot. Sorry but I don’t see it. Not even close.
Unfortunately it already feels like the wind has been taking out of the sails before the season even started. Time will tell but I’ll die on the Kings hill
We definitely have a chance. Assuming the devils and red wings don’t completely shit their pants again, there will be one spot between us, nyi, philly, tampa and pitt. That’s assuming det/njd young “talent and speed” comes off the paper and on to the ice this time around
The biggest issue is no oshie and will charlie have another season like that.
Good news is the good defensive rookies are growing older and ovi should be back to normal ish
Shouldn't have even been there this year, they're just too old at this point. It feels like just yesterday that they showed up to the bar I was working at for their Stanley Cup celebration and Holtby was up on stage shredding guitar.
Tampa Bay was a Stanley Cup winner.
Then, it was a wild card team.
And now, Tampa Bay is... a fringe team.
And it's about to find out that being a fringe team is harder than it looks.
I wanted to float Tampa or Boston as candidates, but for that to happen, one of Buffalo, Detroit, or Ottawa (or Montreal eventually) actually need to take it from them. I am sure it will happen eventually, but it feels like every year we say that those teams are on the cusp and then they all still fall short.
I am too, but I feel we're going to struggle very hard early on without Stamkos on the team.
I get that we need to get younger, but Stamkos was the heart, soul and leader of this squad. This is going to be a big test to see if Kuch and Hedman have what it takes to wear the "C", and it'll decide whether or not we're still a playoff team.
Yeah, I’m sad about losing Stammer — it’s insane to me that he’s not finishing with us… I think we all feel that way but our team does need to get younger and I’m hopeful about our future.
Remember those years when Stammer was gone for long stretches of time? Heddy only led us to a Stanley Cup, picking up a Conn Smythe in the process. Leadership wise, we'll be fine, especially with MacDonaugh back.
Idk. Adding Guentzel after losing Stamkos was a very good move. They still have a stellar core, decent depth and Vasilevskiy between the pipes. I don't think they miss any time soon.
Jets. If it weren’t for Hellebuyck having a vezina type year I doubt they even make the playoffs.
It was evident by the time they did actually get to the playoffs that he was just drained.
What is changing from last year to make you think that? They were my bracket challenge pick to win it all given how they were playing. Who did they lose besides Dillon?
Based on our offseason so far, I'd say the Kings. Looks like Edmonton will have to arrange a different play date for the first round of the playoffs this season.
Carolina. They lost way too much talent to overcome and will struggle mightily. They had their chances the past six seasons and got nothing to show for it. Don’t see them getting in next year.
I still think it would’ve been better (and made more sense) if they were just call the “Vegas Knights” with it being a play on “Vegas *Nights*” seeing as how the nightlife is such a big part Vegas. To me *Golden* Knights just sounds like a development league team name.
I honestly think it could be Vegas. Losing Marchessault, Stephenson, Carrier, Amadio, Martinez (the biggest shot blocker in the league), and a huge loss in Thompson who nearly carried them in these last playoffs... it just feels like they’re going to have big shoes to fill that I’m not sure Hertl, Samsonov, and Olofsson can fill.
I don’t think they’ll be bad at all, but they barely squeaked into the playoffs last year and now they just lost a ton of their top talent. Could definitely see a big drop off for them.
i’m pretty sure the isles and the jets won’t make it this year, and originally i was thinking the caps wouldn’t make it but after seeing all their new acquisitions i’m going back on my original thought and 95% sure they’ll at least make it to the second round
At least we’re not going to be facing Edmonton for the fourth season in a row - LA Kings….
Yep. Rob Blake is an awful GM.
[удалено]
I’m almost embarrassed to admit that he is one of my actual customers.
….sucking dick?
Whatever pays the bills
Five bucks is Five bucks…
Ten dollars for an HJ, twelve dollars for a BJ, fifteen dollars for a ZJ
What’s a zj?
If you have to ask big man, you can't afford it.
Someone’s up for a little slap and pickle
Teed it up for ya, nice finish👍
I never understood that part when I was younger. Like why did him not knowing what it was mean he couldn't afford it.
1 dollar to look at it. 2 dollars to touch it. 3 dollars to watch me touch it
Man’s gotta eat
“6$ or three Dairy Queen coupons” Randy
you his barber ?
I mean he got rid of PLD
Go back and look at what he gave Winnipeg to get him. And then he was the one who backed up the Brinks truck to sign PLD to that massive contract.
I get it, PLD was a failure. But the fact that he got out of it is credit to Blake. Fans have unrealistic expectations and think the job is easy. With that said, again, PLD was a failure and most fans weren’t on board to begin with, but it’s still hard.
Pacific divison is kind of terrible all around outside of Canucks and Oilers rn, so I wouldn't be shocked if the kings can sneak in, it'll come down to whether they can edge out the Golden Knights
True.
If they can WHAT the golden knoghts?
edge out
I wouldn't be surprised if Seattle sneaks in out of nowhere.
you can't lose in the playoffs if you don't even make them. But seriously even as an Oil fan, Rob Blake's work makes me sick, no team deserves that
We basically flipped the table and rage quit lol
How did I, as a rather casual NHL fan, see this question, and immediately have ‘LA Kings’ pop into my head with no justification really, just to see it as the top response?
The lack of a top 5 or even top 10 goalie will be the main reason the Kings will finish out of the playoffs next season. The lack of scoring will be the other. Only 3 players had 70 or more points last season and the top scorer had 75. That won’t do it in this league. The team was 17th in scoring last season. That Dubois trade will haunt the team for a couple more years.. Blake is gone if the Kings don’t make the playoffs. This is on him.
I think the Kings are gonna be fine. Dubois trade will always hurt but getting rid of him is a great positive. Also, Kuemper is a legitimate starting goalie when not on a terrible Caps (or earlier, coyotes) team. First line of Kempe, Kopitar and Byfield to top it off, not bad.
As an Isles fan, we shouldn’t have even been in this year. That being said, im ready for another roller coaster season with a mix of high blood pressure and confusion
Trainwreck 2/3 of season followed by huge push into WC spot to lose to the canes in the first round here we come
I'd rather have that than a huge push through the season into a 10 point cushion then implode in March and force the final period (or faceoff) of two final games to determine your playoff future.
Islanders will go 0-0-82 season but Detroit, Pittsburgh, Buffalo and Philadelphia all implode in the last month securing the Isles a firm WC2 slot
As a rangers fan, If the isles played everyone else as tough as they play us, they would be a force.
This year they did. It's just that every game was exactly like the stadium series- late collapses and failures in OT.
If there's one team I will always lowkey cheer for being a diehard Oilers fan... it's the Islanders. Don't ask me why. I have no reason. I like the cut of their jib, I suppose.
Orange/Blue bros
Also "good in the 80s" bros. If you cheer for one team to be good, maybe the other will follow!
I low key root for the Isles because I’ve met some Rangers fans
Finished 3rd in the Metro lol. I get that Isles fans feel like we sneak in every year, but we have not been the 8th seed. Clinching by March vs. clinching in end of April means nothing in the end.
Idk nothing about the Isles but I feel like you guys should of kept Trotz
Same could be said for the Caps
He needed time with his family. His mom passed away and he has a special needs child. He couldn't do head coaching anymore. I miss him but understand
He wanted to GM. What we SHOULD have done was move Lou to Pres/retirement and let Barry be our GM but oh well.
We made it in, says enough to me that we belonged in the mix. With a full year of Roy behind the bench coming up, and hope that Sorokin can find his game again, we most certainly can make the postseason again this coming season.
So true. More moves need to be made. I do like the duclair signing
Please don’t pull a 2021 again…
hey at least we earned the playoffs this year when in 2020 we didn’t belong there
Still got exactly as far as we did this year though, plus a play-in round Eliminated the defending cup champs too
Coyotes 😔
My condolences
They had a thing going with mullet arena but what do you do for fans with a shitty hockey team in Arizona.
O7
F
What's sad is, of course Arizona isn't ever going to playoffs again (Because they no more) but I also doubt Utah will either. Not just on a player level, The Utah Jazz have yet to win in the NBA, they went one year and lost. I think this state is just cursed.
Unfortunately My Kings is my vote, hard to believe we continue to let talent walk as we have the past 3 years….
What western team can pass you tho? There is such a fall off of talent in the west behind the kings
Wild, Utah, Kraken and Blues all have a good shot at a WC.
Blues will be a fringe WC team. We were in the hunt until the Preds crazy run, and the Kings finished strong enough as we dropped off. Most likely us, though the Kraken had some tough luck last season. The Wild will also be a fringe WC team too
We missed the playoffs because we lost to the sharks multiple times when it counted most.
That's one of several reasons. We were one of the best teams against the top teams in the league, but our losses against bottom teams certainly was frustrating. You just can't overlook the crazy run the Preds went on, and the Kings and VGK just had better records
Well we keep adding to the D and that’s not our problem, it’s scoring…. A handful of 20 G scorers, nobody we can consistently say, we can count on to score in Most games
Arvi was a Huge mistake and to let him go to the Oilers…. Yah health issues but think we got rid of him when we waited for his to be 100% and chucked him.
I am holding on bcuz of Kempe, Drew/Mikey and Moore
how about byfield?
We need to miss the playoffs so Blake can be let go
Yes, keep saying Isles, who will undoubtedly make the playoffs again.
we're like cockroaches
The real question is whether they can hit 20 OT losses this year en route to a 35 win playoff berth
Those loser points sure add up
There wasn’t a playoff format where the isles wouldn’t have made it
Yet we still make the cut every year
LA is not returning to the playoffs.
Vegas, then they win the draft lottery.
I hope so, sharks have their unprotected first rounder! 🤣
Big 1 2 draft for the sharks
Watch it be the canucks knowing their luck
Don't you put that evil on me Ricky Bobby
Don't you stick that knife in your leg
Don't you say that.
They should probably be back but you gotta be prepared for this team sometimes
It *would* be the most Canucks thing ever to get 98 points and finish behind the 99 point WC2 team and the 100 point P3 team to miss the playoffs.
Nah the most Canuck thing is to lose a play off series in 7 games after having two elimination games.
You go far away from here with that
No my friend. This is when the window opens and stays open until we win the cup. Go Canucks Go!
This person canucks
WE ARE ALL (heartbroken) CANUCKS!
Best reply
Shut your whore mouth sir
I’m going to smack you
You never know of course, but I really don’t see us falling out of the top 3 in the Pacific.
It’s someone who you don’t expect the most so the canes, they’ll finish like 4-6 points out of them.
We've had a lot of turnover, but enough of the core stayed that I don't see the Canes missing this year
We’ve finished top 3 in the league in each of the last 4 seasons and won a playoff series in each. Only chance we miss is if Aho or Slavin have long term injuries. We had the league worst goaltending up until December and we were still in a playoff spot. Sorry but I don’t see it. Not even close.
north consist husky voiceless payment sip humorous unique roof reach *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
Share some of that please.
LA
Honestly can’t even argue. I’ll be very surprised if we get there
How dare you!!🤣🤣
Sorry. If it makes you feel any better, we will make it, but won’t see the second round.
Can’t break tradition lol
Of course not lol
So see you in April?
Game 7 TD Garden baby! We'll have a brief lead in the third only to lose it.
We should make game 7 in Boston a national holiday.
He's right you know.
Unfortunately it already feels like the wind has been taking out of the sails before the season even started. Time will tell but I’ll die on the Kings hill
Toronto, because what's the point?
But how can we lose in round 1 if we don't make the playoffs?
Washington
With all their recent acquisitions, I’m not too sure about that.
I would've agreed prior to the retooling in the past couple weeks. They'll make playoffs again.
We definitely have a chance. Assuming the devils and red wings don’t completely shit their pants again, there will be one spot between us, nyi, philly, tampa and pitt. That’s assuming det/njd young “talent and speed” comes off the paper and on to the ice this time around
Don’t forget Ottawa, with Ullmark they have the potential to be a contender. Sabres aren’t dead either
Red wings are shelling out money for established veterans more than young talent and speed
The biggest issue is no oshie and will charlie have another season like that. Good news is the good defensive rookies are growing older and ovi should be back to normal ish
Not if PLD plays like he did in LA
he would have had the 4th most points on the team lmao
Agreed
Shouldn't have even been there this year, they're just too old at this point. It feels like just yesterday that they showed up to the bar I was working at for their Stanley Cup celebration and Holtby was up on stage shredding guitar.
Islanders
Nah they'll make it and draw Carolina yet again
Nobody saying Washington is weird to me
Kings and Isles
Tampa Bay was a Stanley Cup winner. Then, it was a wild card team. And now, Tampa Bay is... a fringe team. And it's about to find out that being a fringe team is harder than it looks.
I wanted to float Tampa or Boston as candidates, but for that to happen, one of Buffalo, Detroit, or Ottawa (or Montreal eventually) actually need to take it from them. I am sure it will happen eventually, but it feels like every year we say that those teams are on the cusp and then they all still fall short.
It’s time for Detroit to take over
Coming this April, Rob Schneider stars in: Struck Out
We’re still a great team. I’m excited for the coming season.
I am too, but I feel we're going to struggle very hard early on without Stamkos on the team. I get that we need to get younger, but Stamkos was the heart, soul and leader of this squad. This is going to be a big test to see if Kuch and Hedman have what it takes to wear the "C", and it'll decide whether or not we're still a playoff team.
Yeah, I’m sad about losing Stammer — it’s insane to me that he’s not finishing with us… I think we all feel that way but our team does need to get younger and I’m hopeful about our future.
Remember those years when Stammer was gone for long stretches of time? Heddy only led us to a Stanley Cup, picking up a Conn Smythe in the process. Leadership wise, we'll be fine, especially with MacDonaugh back.
Idk. Adding Guentzel after losing Stamkos was a very good move. They still have a stellar core, decent depth and Vasilevskiy between the pipes. I don't think they miss any time soon.
Ehh we shall see
Jets. If it weren’t for Hellebuyck having a vezina type year I doubt they even make the playoffs. It was evident by the time they did actually get to the playoffs that he was just drained.
Except he always has a vezina caliber season? Like every time?
I can see the Jets not making it back, as much I can see them making it.
What is changing from last year to make you think that? They were my bracket challenge pick to win it all given how they were playing. Who did they lose besides Dillon?
Predators. Free agency rebuilds rarely go well. Its also a fun hot take
It’s way more of a massive retool over a rebuild. Heart and soul that made last season is still there.
We’re safe not because of the team build but because the lack of improvement on the competition.
The last 2 stanley cup champs might like a word with you on that topic
idk. theyre looking scary
That would be pretty funny unless you're a Preds fan, of course.
Based on our offseason so far, I'd say the Kings. Looks like Edmonton will have to arrange a different play date for the first round of the playoffs this season.
Carolina. They lost way too much talent to overcome and will struggle mightily. They had their chances the past six seasons and got nothing to show for it. Don’t see them getting in next year.
All of them. Total change over.
Islanders
Caps in East. Kings in West.
I actually think the kings might be better without PLD dragging down the locker room.
Vegas. Fuck VGK.
Sounds like you're saying what you want to be true, not what is actually true.
Yay! We’re still hated!
Fuck Vegas But they have the dopest medieval theme and it’s not fair all of their games can basically be mini renaissance festivals 😡
It's very fun and incredibly Vegas
I still think it would’ve been better (and made more sense) if they were just call the “Vegas Knights” with it being a play on “Vegas *Nights*” seeing as how the nightlife is such a big part Vegas. To me *Golden* Knights just sounds like a development league team name.
🏆
LA will miss if Kopitar starts to decline significantly. Guy is 37 and their #1 C.
NYI
Isles
Islanders
Islanders
Isles, probably
Islanders fs, they cooked
I don't realistically see how the capitals got better unless PLD gets replaced by a motivated twin
Ovechkin will not get going til December. I don’t like their chances
Isalanders and Caps
Capitals and Islanders
My guess is LAK, WSH & NYI.
we definitely experienced a glitch when the shit ass isles made it in instead of being bottom 5 in the league
Capitals and Isles
islanders
I hope Vegas for the sake of their 2025 1st round pick. :)
Caps 😵💫
Islanders not coming back.
LA and/or Islanders
I feel the Caps are headed for an overhaul.
Kings
Caps or Isles
Vegas
Kings and Isles are my votes. Jets and Vegas are my surprise votes.
I honestly think it could be Vegas. Losing Marchessault, Stephenson, Carrier, Amadio, Martinez (the biggest shot blocker in the league), and a huge loss in Thompson who nearly carried them in these last playoffs... it just feels like they’re going to have big shoes to fill that I’m not sure Hertl, Samsonov, and Olofsson can fill. I don’t think they’ll be bad at all, but they barely squeaked into the playoffs last year and now they just lost a ton of their top talent. Could definitely see a big drop off for them.
Washington
That’s a tough one. But if I had to pick one, it’s the Lightning.
Caps in the East, Winnipeg in the West
Jets
Crapitals
The coyotes
i’m pretty sure the isles and the jets won’t make it this year, and originally i was thinking the caps wouldn’t make it but after seeing all their new acquisitions i’m going back on my original thought and 95% sure they’ll at least make it to the second round
Winnipeg
As much as is pains me, I don't really see the Knights doing all that well this year.
I’m mentally prepared for the Canucks to miss the playoffs every year so I’ll say them
Caps and Islanders, in your places will go Pittsburgh and Detroit (2007-08-09 feelings)
Atlanta or LA
I have not seen the leafs mentioned, glad we're all confident in their ability to make the playoffs :)
I'm going to make a bold claim and say Vancouver just misses the wildcard window.
I want to dispute everyone saying the Kings, but… the Kings 😞 after that crazy road start last year the team just looked… bad
If history tells us anything the Canucks will go back to being a team that's hard to beat and even harder to loose to.