Fansided

5 current NHL playoff teams poised to miss out in 2018-19

By C.L. Kohuss

SAN JOSE, CA - APRIL 18: Joe Pavelski #8 of the San Jose Sharks shakes hands with John Gibson #36 of the Anaheim Ducks in Game Four of the Western Conference First Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on April 18, 2018 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Rocky W. Widner/NHL/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Joe Pavelski; John Gibson
SAN JOSE, CA - APRIL 18: Joe Pavelski #8 of the San Jose Sharks shakes hands with John Gibson #36 of the Anaheim Ducks in Game Four of the Western Conference First Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on April 18, 2018 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Rocky W. Widner/NHL/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Joe Pavelski; John Gibson /
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NEWARK, NJ – APRIL 18: Taylor Hall #9 of the New Jersey Devils hits Alex Killorn #17 of the Tampa Bay Lightning into the boards in Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Prudential Center on April 18, 2018 in Newark, New Jersey. The Lightning defeated the Devils 3-1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ – APRIL 18: Taylor Hall #9 of the New Jersey Devils hits Alex Killorn #17 of the Tampa Bay Lightning into the boards in Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Prudential Center on April 18, 2018 in Newark, New Jersey. The Lightning defeated the Devils 3-1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

4. New Jersey Devils

As with Columbus, whether or not the Devils can contend again really depends on what happens for them in free agency. If teams like Florida and New York get better in a hurry, the Devils could find themselves scratching to make the final eight.

Michael Grabner and Patrick Maroon could walk, leaving holes at right and left wing. There’s no guarantee that they sign a top name like Evander Kane, James van Riemsdyk or John Tavares. Even with enough money available. And behind Hall, the depth isn’t marvelous. They do have good young forwards in Kyle Palmieri and Nico Hischier, but the goaltending and defense wasn’t very good. Giving up almost three a game won’t get you very far. In fact, if everyone around you makes hay and improves, you’re suddenly looking in from the outside.

Before New Jersey can be classified as a lock to make the playoffs next year, we have to see them make changes on the blue line. It could happen through the market as there are quality targets available (Calvin De Haan comes to mind). If they don’t, and they rely on Hall to carry this club another season, expect them to be out of contention in 2019. We brought it up a few moments back about how the Blue Jackets had others running them down for a playoff spot. Well, this is no different. New Jersey finished with 97 points. It was a stones throw away from being overtaken by the Panthers for the Wild Card. It has to keep adding. The margin for error in the NHL is way too thin.

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