So I started off today's blog with the idea that I would do the "top five teams with something to prove."
The problem is the more teams I looked at the more I realized how many teams are going into the season with something major to prove, and while I'm sure that's always the case, it really was almost impossible to somehow quantify the teams with more to prove than others.
So here is my list of the thirty NHL teams and what each has to prove to either the NHL, their fans, or themselves going into the 2015-16 campaign. I hope is that maybe you all can somehow help me quantify things and answer the question, "What are the top five or 10 teams with the most to prove?"
Anaheim
Besides having to prove they're better than Chicago, which is a tough thing to do, the ducks have to prove that this coach can win in the playoffs. If there is one team that would rather skip the regular-season, because we all know they're making the playoffs, it would be Anaheim.
Boston
The Bruins have to prove to their Fanbase they aren't nuts! So many moves! This group of management knows something Chiarelli did not. And they have to prove they didn't choose to rebuild too soon.
Buffalo
The Sabres have to prove to the fans that tanking was worth it. There are some fan bases in the NHL, maybe, that would be okay with what happened last year... But I assure you Sabres fans won't be okay with it happening again.
Calgary
Was last year a fluke? The Flames basically will their way into the playoffs in a Western Conference that was hard, really hard, to "Will Your Way" into the playoffs.
Carolina
Okay maybe the Hurricanes have the least to prove because they are absolutely at the bottom of their rebuild. Then made the right move moving out Alexander Semin... They have a very exciting young defense, but a strong disconnect with players on offense who should probably be playing elsewhere.
Chicago
Normally you could say the team that won the Stanley Cup has the least to prove.... right? Well the Stanley Cup and other circumstances have caused some pretty large changes in Chicago in just a few weeks.... Can they come back from this?
Colorado
This team would definitely be in my list of the top five. After winning the Central division they finished out of the playoffs. The Avalanche have to prove the Patrick Roy factor can possibly endure past its initial excitement. Last year it didn't look that way.
Columbus
Maybe the most to prove of all, the Blue Jackets deserve great respect for the run they had last year at the end of the season. This is a team that decided it was better to fall five places in the draft and build a winning environment. Whatever the opposite of tanking is... That was Columbus. With everyone healthy they should be battling for the division.
Dallas
Jim Nill continues to make great moves, and it's time for the players to prove they deserve him.
Detroit
Were they just a product of Mike Babcock? Nuff said.
Edmonton
If there is one team who knows about entering a season with something to prove and NOT proving it, it is the Edmonton Oilers. But now with McD and a new front office and coach all excuses have to be put away.
Florida
There is a lot of love for the Panthers right now. When I listen to people talk and when NHL people discuss things they all seem to agree the Florida Panthers are doing things the right way. Dale Talon has a ton of respect throughout the hockey world, but the time to cement themselves as a solid, long-term hockey franchises is now.
LA Kings
Milan Lucic is a King. Stoll and Richards are gone. There are still people who tell me that had the Kings made the playoffs last year they would've won the Stanley Cup. There is a magic about this franchise, but if they don't make the dance again...that gig could be up.
Minnesota
The Wild may have a window right now. The Hawks have taken a few body blows and may be weakened..This is VERY good, if not a GREAT NHL team....they need to be able to seize the day
Montreal
Last year Carey Price carried them and was spectacular on an almost epic level. It's not fair to punish Montréal for that, but it is fair to question what happens if Price comes at all back to earth. You can't have a "Season for the Ages" every year.
Nashville
The team may came closest to be in Chicago last year was the Predators.. I know the Ducks won more games in the playoffs, but the only team who at times looked noticeably better than Chicago was Nashville. The loss of Shea Weber was monumental, but the problems were there before he got hurt. They were the only team who could dominate Chicago, their inability to hold leads destroyed them.
New Jersey
The year in NJ is 1 AL. (After Lou) what else is there?
NY Islanders
Have they reach that next level as a contending team or are they a team who can contend if everything breaks right? Capuano has been there a long time now and this year, more than any other, his accountability will be tested.
NY Rangers
The Rangers are coming off two very successful seasons, and in my opinion just started to hit their stride. Yet they have traded away almost all of their future, when it comes to draft picks, to contend for a Stanley Cup right now. They have to be serious.
Ottawa
Is the Hamburgular for real and worth trading away a goalie most people were sure of? Are they as good as they're epic run to make the playoffs made them appear?
Philadelphia
How can a team with a duo of Giroux and Voracek be out of the playoffs hunt so early? Will Hextall feel the pressure to rush what looks like a killer defense three years from now into service? Why post All-Star break the Flyers were 11-3-5 against teams who would make the playoffs and 3-6-6 against those who would miss the dance? This is one of the worst shootout teams since the shootout was introduced. Does 3-3 OT help get them in?
Phoenix
The Coyotes fought hard to play their home games in their building. Here's hoping they fight as hard in those games and don't look like a team who wants Austin Matthews.
Pittsburgh
Hard to keep them out of the top 10. They rode a strong start in the playoffs, but were really terrible much of the year. But they have made some very strong moves and Phil Kessel is a game changer. They have to prove that their young defense is as good as they think it is....
San Jose
All this talent not in the playoffs last year was insane. Had the players tuned out the coach? Is there a huge locker room divide?
St Louis.
They have to prove they can get past their differences with Hitch and just play hockey. They have to prove they have a goalie they trust and show that goalie they trust him.
Tampa
They don't have much to prove, but whenever you get to a Final expectations are sky high. It's very hard to repeat.
Toronto
They have to prove that this whole "willing to accept the pain of losing" mantra is for real. I don't know how one can question Babcock, Shanahan and Lamoriello's willing to suck.
Vancouver
They have to prove they are really still a playoff team. They have shown some amazing inconsistencies over the past few years, but they have outstanding coaching...no doubt.
Washington
The time is now for the Caps. There were years they were strong and faltered in the playoffs, and other years they surprised.... But if this team beats the Rangers last year, I believe they would've beaten Tampa.... And would've given Chicago all they could handle. The difference is the goalie. He is why there should be much reason for optimism... Adding Williams and Oshie brings a lot as well.
Winnipeg
The team with the best prospects is ahead of schedule.... And now that they've made the playoffs, the pressure becomes real. The Jets won't sneak up on anyone anymore. They need to prove they can play with that kind of pressure and still succeed. In the playoffs they looked young and inexperienced.... but they also looked scary at times. They have tons of speed. They can be a force.
What do you think?
What five teams are the most out to avenge the past and have something to prove?
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