Before looking at the Pacific, it is interesting to note that teams in the Pacific Division of 2015-16 who did NOT play in California were…....terrible. The Coyotes finished 4th in the division, TWENTY points behind the Sharks. All 8 teams in the Central Division finished with more points than bottom 4 teams in the Pacific…
So were they better off 4 years ago?
Anaheim Ducks 2015-16 Season Record:
Won The Pacific for the fourth straight year….103 Points 2015-16 Playoff Result:
Major Upset by Nashville in first round 7 games 2016 Biggert Summer Signings:
Antoine Vermette 2 years 3.5M 2016 Summer Trades:
Claimed Emerson Etem the first week of the season off of waivers from Canucks 2016 Summer Coaching/GM Changes
After the playoff loss to the Preds, Bruce (I can’t win a game 7) Boudreau is fired and replaced by Randy Carlyle who had been the Ducks coach previously and been doing his time in Toronto… Boudreau coached the Ducks for five seasons, with a record of 208-104-40! Winning the division the final four years he was the Head Duck.
2016 Best Draft Pick:
Two first round picks: Max Jones, Sam Steel 2016-17 Results:
Won the Pacific for the fifth straight year. The Ducks won their first two series in the playoffs, and faced the Nashville Predators in the Conference Finals...losing in 6 games.
Are they better off than they were 4 years ago?
No. Absolutely No.
Arizona Coyotes 2015-16 Season Record:
4th in the Pacific. 78 points 2015-16 Playoff Result:
Missed Playoffs 2016 Best Summer Signings:
Jamie McGinn 3years/$10 Million, Luke Schenn 2/$2.5, Radim Vrbata 1/$1M 2016 Summer Trades:
They took Datsyuk’s salary. Traded a second rounder to Tampa for Anthony DeAngelo, And traded for two picks to the Panthers for Lawson Crouse and Dave Bolland 2016 Summer Coaching/GM Changes
none 2016 Best Draft Pick:
Two first rounders. Two GREAT Picks. Keller, Chychrun 2016-17 Results:
6th in the Division 70 points Are they better off than they were 4 years ago?
yes..
Calgary Flames 2015-16 Season Record:
6th in Division. 77 Points 2015-16 Playoff Result:
Missed Playoffs 2016 Summer Signings:
No major pickups 2016 Summer Trades:
No 2016 Summer Coaching/GM Changes
Bob Hartley Out. Glen Gulutzan In. 2016 Best Draft Pick:
Matthew Tkachuk, Adam Fox, 2016-17 Results:
4th in the Division. Made the Playoffs. Swept by the Ducks Are they better off than they were 4 years ago?
Yes. The Flames made some great moves.
Edmonton Oilers 2015-16 Season Record:
8th in the Division 2015-16 Playoff Result:
Nope 2016 Summer Signings:
Milan Lucic 7/$42M, Kris Russel 1/$3.1M 2016 Summer Trades:
Taylor Hall to NJ for Adam Larsson...yeah. 2016 Summer Coaching/GM Changes
none 2016 Best Draft Pick:
Jesse Puljujarvi 2016-17 Results:
Shocked everyone by finishing 2nd in Division with 103 points. A 30 point improvement over the previous season. Beat San Jose in the opening round and battled the Ducks tough, but fell in a very dramatic seven game series. Are they better off than they were 4 years ago?
Yes, they continue to get better and more exciting.
LA Kings 2015-16 Season Record:
2nd in the Division 102 points 2015-16 Playoff Result:
Lost to the Sharks 4-1 (Rematch from the series prior when the Kings were down 3-0 and came back to win... 2016 Summer Signings:
No major 2016 Summer Trades:
No Major 2016 Summer Coaching/GM Changes
None 2016 Best Draft Pick:
Kale Clague 2016-17 Results:
5th in the Division. No Playoffs Are they better off than they were 4 years ago?
yes...they were heading down four years ago..they are heading up now..
San Jose 2015-16 Season Record:
3rd in the Division. 2015-16 Playoff Result:
Lost in the Stanley Cup Final to the Penguins in 6 2016 Summer Signings:
Dave Schlemko 4year/$8.4M 2016 Summer Trades:
none 2016 Summer Coaching/GM Changes
none 2016 Best Draft Pick:
2nd Dave Gambrell 2016-17 Results:
3rd in Pacific. Lost to Edmonton in 6 Are they better off than they were 4 years ago?
No
Vancouver Canucks 2015-16 Season Record:
6th in Pacific. 2015-16 Playoff Result:
Missed Playoffs 2016 Summer Signings:
Loui Eriksson 6/$36M 2016 Summer Trades:
No major 2016 Summer Coaching/GM Changes
none 2016 Best Draft Pick:
Ollo Juolevi 2016-17 Results:
7th in the Pacific. Are they better off than they were 4 years ago?
For sure...one of the most exciting teams in the NHL.
What say you?
More rumor updates to come….Central Division...Tomorrow.