Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike F
They're a bubble team because of an uncharacteristically weak Western Conference.
This record last year has them in 10th in the conference, and only that high because of more games played. On a ppg basis, they're 13th, with only last year's Flames team (a whole 2 games behind) and the Oilers having worse records.
Two seasons ago, a .500 record has them tied for 12th in the conference.
If you had them as a bubble team based on historic measurements, then this team as a whole must be under-performing, with most key players under-performing individually. But I'm guessing the coach with absolutely no track record of success still gets a pass? |
You can't discount this year as being a bubble team due to a weak Western conference, and not also discount our playoff season 2 years ago due to a weak Western conference and even more specifically a very weak Pacific division.
I don't disagree with you, this is a playoff bubble team because of the West, and would not be that in the east. Does that mean things are worse then we expected? I'd say if anyone had expectations of the playoffs this year and at this point in the teams development, it likely factored in the weak conference, as it's been weak for a few years now. I know when I go down the list of teams in the NHL, even with them playing up to potential I didn't have this group as one of the best 16 teams in the NHL this year.