Unless the NHL radically changes the draft lottery next year, there are going to be a lot of teams actively trying to tank.
I expect Nashville let Trots go today for just that reason. Bring in a new coach, sell the fans on a new 'up tempo' plan without having the personnel to play that way and bam! Instant crash to the bottom of the standings.
Buffalo started next year's tank early by dumping anyone who can actually play. Edmonton is Edmonton. Vancouver is Edmonton. Florida will always be bad. Carolina loves to tank. Lou in NJ loves to bend the rules, so I can definitely see the Devils purposely trying to lose. Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Washington, Phoenix, NY Islanders (Obviously!)... any of these teams could be right there at the bottom.
Even if the Flames have less points next year, they'll be higher in the standings I expect. There will probably be about 10 teams in each division actually trying to make the playoffs past December. The other 10 will be trying to dump assets and lose, lose, lose. Especially if there are now as many as four players who could be franchise players in the 2015 draft.
Hopefully the NHL sees this and will re-weight the lottery so the bottom ten or so teams all have a fairly equal chance at a top 3 pick.
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