Quote:
Originally Posted by megadude
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.
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This will be the 3rd year in a row a team has made the finals who has never made it before (either Winnipeg or Vegas)... Nashville came off the list last year and the Sharks the year before.
Now we have to remember, I stated team/city because we had some relocations at play.
It's been a long time for Winnipeg/Jets as well, but the city/team has only been in the NHL for a total of about 25 years - which is half the time since the Leafs have made it.
The Wild have never made the finals, but the North Stars have... so they're not on the list as it's city/team.
The Blues are very close to the Leafs as their last appearance was in the 69-70 season.
I guess Seattle will be added to the list when they get their team.
You figure the Leafs are due at some point. I'm getting close to 50 years old and it's weird still not having witnessed the Leafs in the finals.
About 9 years ago the Penguins beat the Red Wings in the Cup. I started watching hockey in 1976, which is also only 9 years removed from the Leafs winning the Cup. It's hard to equate the two - but I guess it's because I experienced the former and not the latter.