TOPS
5. Kimmo Timonen, Chicago Blackhawks
Everyone understands that Timonen isn't on this list because of his playing performance this season, but there's no doubt that people would place him on this list for his success. In fairytale-loving North America, Timonen's story is going to be remembered for a long time. The 40-year-old Finn was about to retire last summer because of life-threatening blood clots in his lungs, but battled back with only one thing on his mind: the Stanley Cup. Timonen's dream came true, when Chicago captain Jonathan Toews handed the cup to the hands of the Kuopio native. A career spanning over 1100 games came to an end. Kiitos, Kimmo!
4. Carey Price, Montreal Canadiens
Montreal's star goalie is one of the favorites to win the league's MVP trophy, the Hart Trophy. Alexander Ovechkin and John Tavares were also important to their teams, but without Price, it could be argued that Montreal wouldn't even have made the playoffs.
3. Duncan Keith, Chicago Blackhawks
The most valuable player of the playoffs played like he was almost superhuman. On average, the defenseman had over 31 minutes of ice time, but the workhorse didn't tire out at any point. Keith always finds a solution with the puck. The Conn Smythe Trophy couldn't have gone to anyone else this year. Without a doubt, Keith was the single most important player in Chicago's championship year.
2. Tampa Bay Lightning - A bright future ahead
Tampa Bay returned to the Cup Finals for the first time since 2004 and picked up the franchise's first finals series loss. Even so, the team's season was remarkable. Tampa didn't have a 3-game losing streak at any point in the season before the finals, which is an amazing feat for a whole season. Tampa has a gifted young coach and a gifted young team. A bright future ahead. Tampa will easily be a cup contender for the next few years.
1. Chicago Blackhawks - A modern hockey dynasty
Chicago beat Tampa Bay in six games to win their third Stanley Cup in six years. This wasn't supposed to be possible after the salary cap rules were put into place, but Chicago has managed to become a modern hockey dynasty. Ahead of them, however, is a cleanup, meaning that GM Stan Bowman will have a lot of thinking to do about how the team will be run to remain a cup contender in the future. Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook, and other Blackhawks stars won their third Stanley Cup. Take a bow and remove your hats. Chicago was this season's best team and deserves their party.
FLOPS
5. Toronto Maple Leafs
The world's most valuable hockey team was once again in the newspapers for all the wrong reasons. Toronto failed to deliver once again and at the end of the season, a big story in the hockey news was Phil Kessel's fight with David Booth during a team practice. Not a very good team atmosphere. This summer, Leafs fans are hopeful of a new rise to power. Mike Babcock's appointment as head coach could start that... or maybe not. The Leafs are still fun to follow during the summer.
4. Jarret Stoll and Slava Voinov
The Kings' season will be partly remembered for the antics of these two players. Stoll was caught with drug possession at the end of the season and Voinov made headlines for abusing his wife after celebrating last season's title win. The Stanley Cup party, in the course of a year, managed to turn into a disaster on the ice as well as off the ice.
3. Boston Bruins
The Bruins won the Stanley Cup in 2011 and also made the finals in 2013, but then it all went downhill. Like the Kings, the Bruins missed the playoffs this season, in what can only be described as a massive disappointment. The Bruins didn't look at all like the team that had been seen on the ice for the past few years. The last time the Bruins' season ended before the playoffs was in 2006-07. A small fix isn't enough anymore, a rebuild may be coming.
2. Los Angeles Kings
Last year's champions fought to the end for a spot in the playoffs, but their season ended in the regular season. The entire season was inconsistent for them and the engine didn't start properly at any point. The Kings now join a very small group of teams that have missed the playoffs after winning the Stanley Cup. The last time this happened was to the Carolina Hurricanes in 2007.
1. Buffalo Sabres
The Sabres' season was pathetic beyond belief. Buffalo only got a measly 54 points out of 82 games, placing last in the entire league. The offseason's hopes also went out the window when Edmonton won the draft lottery, taking Connor McDavid with them. At least the consolation prize isn't bad at all, because the Sabres will now get the chance to shout Jack Eichel's name at the draft. Now is a good time to start to hop on the Eichel hype train. |