The year after those teams all made the playoffs they each made a big splash in free agency with a winger. Toronto signed the horrible Clarkson deal which speaks for itself. The Avs signed a 37 year old Jarone Iginla who had a pretty good year last year. Flames add Frolik who appears to be a great fit on paper.
All 3 teams had young players they hope would improve to get past the poor advanced stats. Toronto made it in a shortened year and possibly would not have made the playoffs if the season was 82 games. The Avs were still a 90pt team but also were division winners when they made it. Flames squeaked in as the 16th placed team but avoided a wildcard spot and were able to face an easy first round opponent.
2 things that Calgary will have next year that I think puts them above the Avs and Leafs in their poor fall back years are Hamilton and Bennett. Neither the Leafs or Avs added a player that is the calibre of Dougie Hamilton the offseason after their fluke year. Hamilton was the exact player Calgary was missing last year. Also neither the Leafs or Avs had a prospect like Sam Bennett who was ready to step in as a top 6 forward with a dynamic skill set.
|