from Michael Traikos of the National Post,

With three quarters of the season complete, only Winnipeg and Toronto are currently locked into playoff spots. Calgary, which is a point out of a wild card spot, could make it three. But overall the standings aren’t pretty: four of the six worst teams in the NHL (Ottawa, Vancouver, Montreal and Edmonton) are once again based in Canada.

Once again, it’s easy to see why.

Mismanagement — not a failure to attract free agents — is the reason why Ottawa, Vancouver, Montreal and Edmonton have become punch lines. In a season when Vegas can enter the league and build a roster from scratch, it’s inexcusable that a team with the best defenceman (Ottawa), the best goalie (Montreal) and the best player (Edmonton) cannot even sneak into the playoffs.

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