Quote:
Originally Posted by Berklon
So that's one more current NHL team/city that will make the finals since the Leafs last appearance.
Only 3 teams/cities left:
Winnipeg or Vegas
Arizona
Columbus
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Interesting stat. I often equated the Leafs' futility with the Red Sox, White Sox and Cubs. Historical franchises that went so long without winning the championship.
The Leafs haven't gone as long as those teams did, but as you pointed out, the Leafs haven't even made the finals since. And there were fewer teams to compete against to get there. And lots of teams have the opportunity to get there in the NHL playoffs while in baseball it was two per league.
It seemed almost impossible to not make the finals after all these years just due to statistical probability. Like all you had to do was exist as a franchise and it was only a matter of time before you went on a run in the playoffs and made the final. Lots parity in the NHL, unlike the NBA.
In the NBA I'm counting nine franchises that haven't made it.
NFL since advent of SB is four if I'm not mistaken.
MLB I believe is two teams.