What team losing the first round would be the biggest disappointment? Carolina, Edmonton or Toronto

[dalewood12]

Curious to read your thoughts.

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[Crow]

Feel like Edmonton having prime McDavid turns most of the attention on them. Also doesn’t hurt that they are probably the best team of the 3.

 

[Isaac Nootin]

Carolina is the best team of the bunch, so them.

 

[leafsfan5]

Carolina will likely end up as M2 and draw one of the easiest first-round matchups, if not the easiest

Losing would be disastrous

 

[PuckG]

Edmonton. It’s pretty well now (and next year) or never with cap constraints that will only get worse and depending on if either of McDrai stay.

 

[Three On Zero]

Probably the team that proclaimed it’s a “cup or bust” season

 

[NyQuil]

Has to be Edmonton.

 

[aufheben]

Carolina is always expected to make a deep run and they’ve added Guentzel. This is their year. If they don’t make it at least to the ECF, that’s a disaster.

Feel like Edmonton having prime McDavid turns most of the attention on them. Also doesn’t hurt that they are probably the best team of the 3.

I don’t know man Carolina has a deep group of forwards and their defense is clearly better. They might be missing the game-breaking talent but they’re a very good team.

 

[Skolman]

Not sure why Toronto is in this poll..

 

[NyQuil]

Not sure why Toronto is in this poll..

Probably because they have one series win in seven straight years in the post-season.

 

[Skolman]

Probably because they have one series win in seven years in the post-season.

Exactly my point...

It shouldn't be much of a surprise to see them eliminated early

 

[wetcoast]

Carolina is the best team of the bunch, so them.

I went with them as they also have the easiest matchup right now and the other 2 teams match up against last years SC finalists.

The canes are also 3rd in the league, Oilers 9th and Leafs 10th so why either of them have more votes than the Canes?

I think some people are voting that way just so that they can trash them.

 

[nucks88]

Meh, Edmonton losing would be funny, Toronto losing would be predictable but Carolina losing would be disappointing……

 

[NyQuil]

I think some people are voting that way just so that they can trash them.

I just think McDavid's tenure with Edmonton is a ticking clock and every wasted season makes everyone just a little bit more nervous.

 

[Boreal01]

It’s tight between Carolina and Edmonton, if we factor in their respective markets then that pushes Edmonton ahead

 

[RR44]

Meh, Edmonton losing would be funny, Toronto losing would be predictable but Carolina losing would be disappointing……

I second the Edmonton losing in the first round would be funny..

 

[a mangy Meowth]

gotta be oil

 

[wetcoast]

I just think McDavid's tenure with Edmonton is a ticking clock and every wasted season makes everyone just a little bit more nervous.

IMO this is a bit of a false narrative as even as a UFA exactly which team is going to absorb him and give him a better shot exactly in the real world?

Put another way, it's really easy to say that Leon can sign as a UFA say with Dallas in 2 years and give himself a better shot but in reality it doesn't really work that way, every team is under the same salary cap rules and has problems when they succeed and in a 32 team league only one team wins the SC.

Same thing with Leon.

It probably hurts that the west is extremely stacked right now but it is what it is.

 

[SheldonJPlankton]

Toronto does not value playoff success.

 

[Sky04]

Probably because they have one series win in seven straight years in the post-season.

1 series win in 20 years*

 

[Connor McConnor]

Carolina goes against a joke team and Oilers/Leafs have to go against potentially Vegas/Florida…

 

[trick9]

Canes.

Leafs aren't even the favourite in their match-up.

Oilers are close to Canes but they are going to face a really good team.

 

[Luigi Lemieux]

Carolina is going to get Philly or Washington in the first round. A first round loss would be catastrophic.

Edmonton and Toronto also have high expectations but their first round matchups are going to be tough.

 

[Sam de Mtl]

As an opposing fan, I love star ladden teams lose in first round. Especially when they paid for rentals that won't sign with them. So Carolina this year.

 

[Alexander the Gr8]

Carolina losing in round 1 to Philly or Washington would be devastating. They went all in at the deadline by adding Kuzy and Guentzel.

They have a lot of expiring contracts this summer too (Teravainen, Guentzel, Necas and Pesce).