That leaves the have-nots, made up of New Jersey (one playoff appearance in 10 seasons), Ottawa (two in nine years), Detroit (six-year playoff drought) and Buffalo (NHL-record 11-season playoff drought).ĭetroit GM Steve Yzerman made a series of offseason moves to spur his team’s growth, but he is realistic in assessing the reality of how far teams have to go to challenge for one of eight playoff spots. The only East team with more than four playoff appearances in that span is Columbus with five. In that time, the Penguins, Capitals, Rangers, Lightning, Bruins and Maple Leafs have filled 39 of the conference's 68 playoff spots, not including the 2021 season, when teams were limited to playing within their divisions because of COVID-19. When that might happen is uncertain, especially in the the NHL East that has been dominated by many of the same six teams since the league juggled its conferences in 2013-14, when Detroit and Columbus were moved over from the West. “At the end of the day, all the teams you mentioned are only going to ascend when their own players take that big step.” You need your players to continue to grow and get better and develop each year,” he added. “You’d like to think as we continue to ascend, Father Time has to help, and that the top teams that have been the top teams for a while start declining because it’s only natural,” Fitzgerald said. Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin aren’t getting any younger, and New Jersey Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald isn't shy about hoping that age finally catches up to the NHL Eastern Conference’s elite players.Īt the same time, Fitzgerald can appreciate it takes more than hope and age to level the ice for teams such as his in a conference separated by the so-called haves and have-nots in recent years. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press via AP) Justin Tang/AP Show More Show Less Jay LaPrete/AP Show More Show Less 3 of3 Ottawa Senators' Claude Giroux speaks to reporters during the team's NHL hockey training camp in Ottawa, Thursday, Sept. Jose Juarez/AP Show More Show Less 2 of3 Columbus Blue Jackets' Jet Greaves, right, makes a save against Buffalo Sabres' Jack Quinn during the third period of a preseason NHL hockey game Wednesday, Sept. 1 of3 Detroit Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde looks at the scoreboard during the first period of the team's NHL preseason hockey game against the Chicago Blackhawks, Wednesday, Sept.
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