Three 2013 Non-Playoff Teams That Should (or Could) Make It In 2014
Every year there is a shuffling of teams that qualify for the big dance and one of the 16 spots that give you a chance at the Stanley Cup. Every year there are 14 teams on the outside looking in, clamoring for their chance to get back into a spot that sees them playing in the post-season.
Some will make it, some will not. Here are my top 3 contenders to make the jump from non-playoff to playoff teams:
1. Philadelphia Flyers
Apr 25, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers right wing Wayne Simmonds (17), center Claude Giroux (28), center Matt Read (24), defenseman Brandon Manning (32) and defenseman Matt Konan (34) acknowledge the crowd after final game of the season against the New York Islanders at the Wells Fargo Center. The Flyers defeated the Islanders, 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
This team is just too talented offensively not to at least make the playoffs. With questions in goal and an aging but still offensively talented blue line, there is still the chance that they might suffer another defensive implosion. But my bet is that Ray Emery can do just enough to drag the Flyers into the playoffs, after which anything can happen.
2. Nashville Predators
April 25, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Nashville Predators center Craig Smith (15) is congratulated by teammates after scoring in the first period against the Detroit Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
An off-season from Pekka Rinne (whether he was hurt or not) really hurt the Predators chances. So did the loss or Ryan Suter to free agency. However, a resurgence of Rinne and the addition of Seth Jones and Filip Forsberg helps the Preds in all 3 areas of the ice and although they missed the playoffs by 14 points, they should return to the dance again. The new divisional alignment also helps, since only 3 of the 7 teams in the new-look Central division made the playoffs last season. They might not have enough offensive presence yet to be a real threat in the postseason, but they are a good bet to make it there.
3. Edmonton Oilers
Apr 26, 2013; St. Paul, MN, USA; Edmonton Oilers forward Taylor Hall (4) smiles with forward Taylor Yakupov (64) after a goal during the second period against the Minnesota Wild at the Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
This is a crapshoot, but I think the Oilers will have enough to at least make the wildcard spot. They are in a tough Pacific division with Anaheim, LA, San Jose and Vancouver, but with a good out-of-division record they could get enough points to eclipse the 4th place finisher in the Central. They have added defensive help, their star core is one year older and they added in a solid piece in David Perron.