Bottom Feeders Rising

[Nsjohnson]

Each year there is one team that was a bottom feeder that makes the jump and makes the PO's or just misses it, but really rises from the bottom.

Who is it this year, why do they, and where do they end up?

Click to read more...

 

[Filthy Dangles]

The only teams I'd call bottom feeders are VAN, BUF and ARI. Not sure I see any of those teams realistically competing for the playoffs.

 

[tarheelhockey]

It's hard for me to imagine Chicago finishing bottom of their division again.

 

[Nsjohnson]

Buffalo is my pick. I think they got some good pieces and if they stay healthy they will make a splash. Not sure if they can beat out the other teams for a PO but they will be chasing the WC spots.

 

[Advanced stats]

Zona

 

[Luigi Lemieux]

Chicago still has a lot of veteran savvy with cup winners galore. Would not surprise me to see them back in the playoffs.

 

[Joe Hallenback]

The Toronto Maple Leafs

 

[Howboutthempanthers]

Buffalo is my pick. I think they got some good pieces and if they stay healthy they will make a splash. Not sure if they can beat out the other teams for a PO but they will be chasing the WC spots.

Beat me to it. I've felt that if Housley could get them to play a structured system, they could improve a lot.

 

[1point21Gigawatts]

Beat me to it. I've felt that if Housley could get them to play a structured system, they could improve a lot.

That's the problem though - Housley's coaching abilities are questionable at best. If BUF continues to struggle into November, Botterill needs to part ways with him.

 

[Paperbagofglory]

I would say Edmonton. They are like some weird snail like creature living in a bottom of a disgusting smelly pond that only has to come up for air once every 10 years. Do they come up for air again this year? Or are they back down to the smelly dump water?

 

[Howboutthempanthers]

That's the problem though - Housley's coaching abilities are questionable at best. If BUF continues to struggle into November, Botterill needs to part ways with him.

Yeah. But to be fair, I always think that finding the right coach for a team is one of the toughest things to do. It's basically a crap shoot.

 

[antiqueslivers]

hoping its the buffalos!

 

[mouz135]

Edmonton. They’ve cemented their legacy as a bottom feeder. Will they finally climb out of the toilet? Who knows.

 

[Beerz]

Beat me to it. I've felt that if Housley could get them to play a structured system, they could improve a lot.

we'll be improved but we're still going to be bad

 

[Bedards Dad]

The only teams I'd call bottom feeders are VAN, BUF and ARI. Not sure I see any of those teams realistically competing for the playoffs.

Ottawa Senators - "Hold my beer"

 

[Echo Roku]

Arizona seems feasible.

Buffalo if the dominoes line up certain ways

 

[Howboutthempanthers]

we'll be improved but we're still going to be bad

Well at least it'll be another top 10 pick!
No, but seriously, I think even if they struggle a bit, I think their young guys could look pretty good. A development year.

 

[Duck Off]

Buffalo and Arizona. Buffalo added quite a few nice pieces and I think the East is weaker this year. Arizona looked really solid at the end of last year, and they also improved their roster. I don't think they'll make the playoffs, but they won't be awful like they were last year.

 

[A4T1L6]

buffalo

 

[Stimpythecat]

I see the coyotes improving a lot.

 

[biturbo19]

Of the "bottom feeders" from last year: BUF, OTT, ARI, MTL, DET, VAN...it's hard to see any of them suddenly jumping up into the playoffs worst-to-first style like the Avs or Devils. Both those teams at least had some decent performance in recent prior years to lend some credibility to their chance to make that kind of jump.

Seems like every year, people want to project, this is the year Buffalo finally rights the ship, but unless they get miraculous goaltending, it's still hard to see how that's going to work.

Teams like Arizona and Montreal have the potential to move up the standings a bit if they get consistently good goaltending, and it's more plausible in Montreal especially...but they're both still pretty flawed teams.

The rest of the bottom-feeders essentially just got worse. I'm going to lean toward no "bottom feeder" rising this year.

 

[WHISTLERNATE]

I think the Oilers make the playoffs this year. Buffalo will be better and hang around a playoff spot, but fade near the deadline.

 

[KingsFan7824]

I would say Edmonton. They are like some weird snail like creature living in a bottom of a disgusting smelly pond that only has to come up for air once every 10 years. Do they come up for air again this year? Or are they back down to the smelly dump water?

 

[tictactoe]

The Toronto Maple Leafs

What about them and why in this thread?

 

[snipes]

Edmonton. They’ve cemented their legacy as a bottom feeder. Will they finally climb out of the toilet? Who knows.

Lol says the Canucks fan after that stomping