NHL Off-Topic thread

[DrJones]

My semi-annual Cursed Franchise Rankings, going into this year's playoffs:

1. Buffalo Sabres - now that the Leafs finally won a round and the Canucks have surprisingly become respectable again, the Sabres put a little distance between themselves and their fellow denizens of hockey hell.

T2. Toronto Maple Leafs & Vancouver Canucks - too tough to call at the moment. Will likely meet in the most hate-filled Stanley Cup Final of all-time... in 2033 or so.

4. San Jose Sharks - a truly cursed team mixes in soul-destroying close calls with stretches of true bottom feeding and horrific luck - despite only being around for 30 years, the Sharks fit the bill admirably. You already know they're not getting Celebrini.

5. Philadelphia Flyers - their fans are most likely aggrieved that they're not higher on the list. Not to worry: once Philly's Cup drought officially reaches 50 years next season, they'll leapfrog the Sharks and join the others in a Fatal 4-Way of sucktitude and pain.

6. Ottawa Senators - given everything that's happened since, Game 7 of the 2017 ECF is one of the most devastating defeats in recent history. One goal away from home-ice advantage in the Stanley Cup Final against the 16th place Predators. Let's be real - are the Sens ever going to be in such an advantageous position ever again?

NOTE: Because I'm old as dirt and grew up with the Islanders and Oilers as dynasties, they're banned from this list until their droughts hit 50 years or something truly egregious occurs

[DrJones]

BTW here's how I rank the most devastating losses in recent memory (taking both the nature of the defeat and the long-term consequences into account; teams that have since recovered from horrific defeats to win a title, ie the Cubs, Red Sox, Caps, Texas Rangers are ineligible). In order to qualify, the teams listed had to have a realistic shot at a championship (so no 2013 Leafs, for example).

1. Pittsburgh Pirates, Game 7 of the 1992 NLCS - a 2-run lead in the bottom of the 9th. Jose Lind, Francisco Cabrera, Sid Bream happen. Exit Barry Bonds, enter 30+ years of misery.

2. Sacramento Kings, Games 4, 6, and 7 of the 2002 West Final - the smallest of small markets, their one hope for a championship, undone by a one-in-a-million bad bounce, league/referee corruption, and choking, all in the same series, and against their most-hated rivals!

3. Ottawa Senators, Game 7 of the 2017 East Final - see previous post.

Other candidates, and the reasons they weren't included:

Buffalo Bills (almost every season), Cleveland Indians/Guardians (ditto): only because they keep putting themselves in positions to destroy their fans. I mean, how do you pick a singular gut punch game for the freaking Bills? It's an embarrassment of riches.

Portland Trail Blazers (Game 7 of the 2000 West Final): now that Dame (and most hope) is gone, I should probably add this to the list.

Atlanta Falcons (Super Bowl 41): probably the single worst loss on this list, but it's much easier to rebound in the NFL, whereas the Pirates, Kings, and Sens are small-market no-hopers. Might reconsider after a few years.

Atletico Madrid (2014, 2016 Champions League Finals): rough (especially 2014), but they do have a LaLiga title since then.

England National Team (Euro 2020 Final): check back in 20 years.

Borussia Dortmund (last match of 2022/23 Bundesliga season): check back in 20 years.

Vancouver Canucks (Game 7 of the 2011 Stanley Cup Final): yeah, we're not going there.

[Majingir]

Quote: Originally Posted by DrJones

BTW here's how I rank the most devastating losses in recent memory (taking both the nature of the defeat and the long-term consequences into account; teams that have since recovered from horrific defeats to win a title, ie the Cubs, Red Sox, Caps, Texas Rangers are ineligible). In order to qualify, the teams listed had to have a realistic shot at a championship (so no 2013 Leafs, for example). 1. Pittsburgh Pirates, Game 7 of the 1992 NLCS - a 2-run lead in the bottom of the 9th. Jose Lind, Francisco Cabrera, Sid Bream happen. Exit Barry Bonds, enter 30+ years of misery. 2. Sacramento Kings, Games 4, 6, and 7 of the 2002 West Final - the smallest of small markets, their one hope for a championship, undone by a one-in-a-million bad bounce, league/referee corruption, and choking, all in the same series, and against their most-hated rivals! 3. Ottawa Senators, Game 7 of the 2017 East Final - see previous post. Other candidates, and the reasons they weren't included: Buffalo Bills (almost every season), Cleveland Indians/Guardians (ditto): only because they keep putting themselves in positions to destroy their fans. I mean, how do you pick a singular gut punch game for the freaking Bills? It's an embarrassment of riches. Portland Trail Blazers (Game 7 of the 2000 West Final): now that Dame (and most hope) is gone, I should probably add this to the list. Atlanta Falcons (Super Bowl 41): probably the single worst loss on this list, but it's much easier to rebound in the NFL, whereas the Pirates, Kings, and Sens are small-market no-hopers. Might reconsider after a few years. Atletico Madrid (2014, 2016 Champions League Finals): rough (especially 2014), but they do have a LaLiga title since then. England National Team (Euro 2020 Final): check back in 20 years. Borussia Dortmund (last match of 2022/23 Bundesliga season): check back in 20 years. Vancouver Canucks (Game 7 of the 2011 Stanley Cup Final): yeah, we're not going there.

I'd add 2021 Leafs if we're adding any recent Leafs team with realistic shot at the cup (93 would be up there if we're talking all time).

3-1 lead vs Habs, a division format that favoured them so much where it was almost a lock to make the final 4 of the playoffs, and they still blew it.

[slickdtc]

Here’s a question: better to get to the final and lose or just never even sniff it?

Flyers are 0-6 since their last Cup win. Meanwhile, Leafs with a similar drought haven’t even gotten to play for the Cup and of course the recent run of first round exits.

Not sure if there’s a better or worse. Just different feelings of pain.

Love that my Flyers & Bills are on the list of suffering. Always next year…

[Majingir]

Quote: Originally Posted by slickdtc

Here’s a question: better to get to the final and lose or just never even sniff it? Flyers are 0-6 since their last Cup win. Meanwhile, Leafs with a similar drought haven’t even gotten to play for the Cup and of course the recent run of first round exits. Not sure if there’s a better or worse. Just different feelings of pain. Love that my Flyers & Bills are on the list of suffering. Always next year…

It's always better making it even if you don't win.

At least making the finals and losing means you had 3 rounds you could be proud of from that year filled with lots of great memories.

Some of the all time great Leaf moments anyone alive today has is the most basic of things like a round 1 game 7 win vs Ottawa, or the Tavares OTW last year or round 2 winners, and some early ECF games when they still had a shot in that series.

Would be much better having multiple years where you had 3 full rounds of good moments than 1 or 2 rounds every so often.

[DrJones]

Quote: Originally Posted by Majingir

I'd add 2021 Leafs if we're adding any recent Leafs team with realistic shot at the cup (93 would be up there if we're talking all time). 3-1 lead vs Habs, a division format that favoured them so much where it was almost a lock to make the final 4 of the playoffs, and they still blew it.

No 1st round loss qualifies (no matter how embarrassing), and the Leafs' status hasn't fundamentally changed since. I'm talking about golden opportunities for championships that are unlikely to ever reoccur.

[DrJones]

Quote: Originally Posted by slickdtc

Here’s a question: better to get to the final and lose or just never even sniff it? Flyers are 0-6 since their last Cup win. Meanwhile, Leafs with a similar drought haven’t even gotten to play for the Cup and of course the recent run of first round exits. Not sure if there’s a better or worse. Just different feelings of pain. Love that my Flyers & Bills are on the list of suffering. Always next year…

"Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all."

[Psyblast]

Quote: Originally Posted by DrJones

My semi-annual Cursed Franchise Rankings, going into this year's playoffs: 1. Buffalo Sabres - now that the Leafs finally won a round and the Canucks have surprisingly become respectable again, the Sabres put a little distance between themselves and their fellow denizens of hockey hell. T2. Toronto Maple Leafs & Vancouver Canucks - too tough to call at the moment. Will likely meet in the most hate-filled Stanley Cup Final of all-time... in 2033 or so. 4. San Jose Sharks - a truly cursed team mixes in soul-destroying close calls with stretches of true bottom feeding and horrific luck - despite only being around for 30 years, the Sharks fit the bill admirably. You already know they're not getting Celebrini. 5. Philadelphia Flyers - their fans are most likely aggrieved that they're not higher on the list. Not to worry: once Philly's Cup drought officially reaches 50 years next season, they'll leapfrog the Sharks and join the others in a Fatal 4-Way of sucktitude and pain. 6. Ottawa Senators - given everything that's happened since, Game 7 of the 2017 ECF is one of the most devastating defeats in recent history. One goal away from home-ice advantage in the Stanley Cup Final against the 16th place Predators. Let's be real - are the Sens ever going to be in such an advantageous position ever again? NOTE: Because I'm old as dirt and grew up with the Islanders and Oilers as dynasties, they're banned from this list until their droughts hit 50 years or something truly egregious occurs

The Sharks deserve their suffering.