The initial days of the Stanley Cup Playoffs have been full of excitement, tight contests, and overtime thrillers. No team should be underestimated, and we should anticipate teams currently behind in their series fighting back soon.
The first round always keeps the TV remote busy.
For some playoff teams, simply reaching this stage is a triumph. For others, there`s significant pressure for a deep run, or they`ll face challenging questions this off-season.
While the outcomes of Round 1 are still unfolding, half the league`s teams have already finished their season and are now meeting with the media and holding internal discussions about their next steps.
Some non-playoff teams expected to miss out and are now focused on improving for next season. Others anticipated being in the playoffs and are now questioning what went wrong and how to address issues before they escalate.
This article examines the 16 NHL teams that missed the playoffs and identifies the most significant question facing each one this summer.
Anaheim Ducks: How can GM Pat Verbeek position them to contend for the playoffs?
Overall, Anaheim had a positive season. Jackson LaCombe was a breakout player. Lukas Dostal provided confidence in goal should John Gibson be traded. There were challenges – finishing 30th in goals and having the second-worst power play in the cap era over 82 games – but ultimately, the Ducks improved by 21 points year-over-year.
However, substantial work remains. Despite winning eight more games, Anaheim still finished 16 points out of a playoff spot. It`s time for them to make moves and transition out of the rebuilding phase.
Head coach Greg Cronin was replaced first, but roster adjustments are also expected.
“This is going to be a big summer for Anaheim, and I think that factored into his decision [to replace the coach],” Elliotte Friedman commented on the 32 Thoughts podcast.
“Of all the jobs that are going to be open, the sneaky one in terms of interest, I think, is going to be this one. I think there are a lot of coaches out there who are going to look at the Ducks and say that is a team on the upswing. They like their talent. They like their young players. They`ve got a lot of them. The thing too is they have a lot of cap room to do things, and if they can`t necessarily do it in free agency, they have the flexibility with their young players that if they want to make trades they have pieces.”
Boston Bruins: How quickly can they rebound into a contender?
From Stanley Cup favorites early on to trade deadline sellers and finishing 28th overall, the Boston Bruins are at a turning point. Injuries played a role, and Jeremy Swayman didn`t have a great season after signing a large contract. Perhaps a full training camp will help him perform better and pull the Bruins back into contention.
The Bruins began acquiring draft picks and prospects at the trade deadline to reshape their future. Captain Brad Marchand was traded, a move unexpected in October. Jim Montgomery was fired as head coach in November, only to lead St. Louis to a strong second half and a playoff spot. The Bruins will need a permanent head coach replacement this summer. Even GM Don Sweeney, with one year left on his contract, might be uncertain; the team did not commit to him beyond next season at the year-end press conference.
This team doesn`t appear to be headed for a prolonged rebuild, but with division rivals like Ottawa and Montreal improving, and Tampa Bay, Toronto, and Florida not showing signs of decline, the path back might be challenging.
Bruins president Cam Neely spoke about the plan to build the team back stronger. But how exactly will they achieve this, and how soon do they expect to be contenders again?
“I don`t want everybody to just focus on making the playoffs,” Neely said. “Yes, we do want to make the playoffs, but we do have bigger goals in mind. It`s not about just getting in and getting bounced in Round 1. We`re here to understand we have to build a team that`s going to compete for Stanley Cups.”
Buffalo Sabres: What`s the path forward, with or without GM Kevyn Adams?
The playoff drought has now reached 14 years, raising questions at the top level of the organization.
“I think there`s going to be changes in the front office,” Friedman mentioned on a recent podcast. “I`m curious to see how it`s all going to work with Adams, but I do think at the very least some of the staff around him will be out. Does that mean Adams changes his title at all? I don`t know.”
After five years as GM, Adams has seen the team`s point total decrease from 91 to 84 to 79 over the past three seasons. Will he continue in his current role? Or will there be changes in the front office staff around him?
Regardless of the front office structure, how will the Sabres react to another frustrating season? Only Boston finished worse than them in the Atlantic Division, and Boston was actively selling at the deadline. Buffalo saw Ottawa and Montreal surpass them and make the playoffs this season, with Ottawa even acquiring former core player Dylan Cozens from Buffalo.
Regardless of the GM`s status, the current team construction hasn`t succeeded. What is the strategy moving forward, if not another rebuild?
Calgary Flames: What will happen with Rasmus Andersson?
Finishing with the same point total as the playoff-bound St. Louis Blues, and more wins than Montreal, the Flames had a somewhat positive season that they feel can be a foundation. Dustin Wolf is a strong candidate for the Calder Trophy and provides hope for the future in net, as do Matt Coronato (24 goals) and Zayne Parekh (who played one game) among others.
Calgary has work ahead, aiming to acquire a young center this summer, perhaps through trade or even an offer sheet. However, the most significant question involves top defenseman Rasmus Andersson, who has one year left on his contract and can sign an extension starting July 1.
Eric Francis reported that Andersson`s year-end media availability had the feel of a farewell, suggesting it might be time for the 28-year-old to seek a significant payday elsewhere. The Flames must weigh the cost of paying him substantial money during his prime years while the team may not yet be a contender against the option of trading Andersson now for a potentially large return.
Tristan Blackwood