NHL Standings: Are Teams Really Bad By Design?
How often do you look at the NHL standings? If you’re like me it has become a daily part of life. The problem I’m having is there are four teams that seem to be bad by design. Call it tanking or call it bad luck, I don’t care how you describe it. With this year’s NHL Draft containing some of the best two prospects in years, there is a lot to gain by being historically bad.
NHL fans are being sold a future that no single player can guarantee. All you need to do is read fan boards of the Sabres, Hurricanes, Oilers and even the Coyotes
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and you will see fans basically saying it’s okay to lose. Well, I’m sorry; it may be okay to lose a game but it is not okay to not show up. It is not okay for these teams to look like a bunch of high school players attempting to compete in the NHL. Regardless of design these are not NHL teams. I don’t care about lack of talent or any excuses. The teams’ fans pay their hard earn money to watch is stinking up the joint.
If you ask around you will often hear “it’s not the coach’s fault, or the GM’s fault. It’s all part of the rebuild.” Let’s be clear about this. It is the GM’s fault and yes, in part it is the coach’s fault. They designed the team you are watching and this season they need to answer for their lack of effort and performance. It’s almost impossible to put a product this bad on the ice.
Combined, the bottom two teams (Buffalo and Edmonton) only have 62 points and that wouldn’t even put them in first place. It’s a bit like these teams are Robin Hood; they “steal” hope and believe only to eventually deliver a better life. I fully understand a rebuild but in today’s NHL to have four or five teams that cannot compete am completely odd and not okay.
There needs to be more accountability with these teams, and while I do find it hard to believe they would all tank in a race for last place I do believe at least a few of them are bad by design and that is a shame. If you ask the owners and GM’s you will be told this is “short term misery for long term greatness.” Maybe, but all you need to do is look at the Penguins and Crosby. They have ONE cup, and years of falling short. Yes, there are examples of being bad for years paying off, but the Blackhawks and Kings of the world are complete teams with multiple players that can carry the load.
My advice, cheer for your team and hope for effort and respect; because right now I don’t believe the Buffalo’s and Edmonton’s and others of the NHL are respecting their fans.