from Michael Traikos of the National Poat,

There are six teams that were in the Stanley Cup playoffs last year — Florida, Washington and the New York Rangers in the East, and Calgary, Minnesota and Nashville in the West — who wouldn’t be in the playoffs if the season ended today.

Luckily for them, the season doesn’t end after the first two months.

But it does raise a couple of questions: which teams currently on the outside looking in will be in the dance when the season ends? And more importantly, who will they unseat?

I can’t see the Panthers, who are two points back of the final wild card spot, missing out. Not after finishing with the best record in the NHL last year. The same goes for the Rangers, who are one point out of the playoffs after reaching the East final a year ago.

In the West, the Wild just need some consistent goaltending to get back in the playoff picture. Meanwhile, the Flames should be a playoff team once Jonathan Huberdeau finds chemistry with his new team.

As for who they replace, well this is where it gets tough.

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