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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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NASHVILLE, TN – MARCH 27: Ryan Suter #20 of the Minnesota Wild skates against the Nashville Predators during an NHL game at Bridgestone Arena on March 27, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Ryan Suter
NASHVILLE, TN – MARCH 27: Ryan Suter #20 of the Minnesota Wild skates against the Nashville Predators during an NHL game at Bridgestone Arena on March 27, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Ryan Suter /

1. Minnesota Wild

In what annually amounts to a street fight in the Central Division, the Minnesota Wild could be another team that finds themselves the odd one out by the end of 2019. They took third place in the division with 101 points, which was six more than the fourth place Colorado Avalanche.

But it’s a lot closer than it looks. Colorado has the money to improve greatly while still having superstars in Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen. Had they not collapsed for eight games in March, the Dallas Stars would have been at the heels of Minnesota . Finally, the Blues were right behind the Avs with 94 points.

Ultimately, parity is what could strike the Wild from postseason play next year. They’ll only have about $13 million to spend, and a good chunk of that (half at least) will go to Jason Zucker and defenseman Matt Dumba. Minnesota also can’t count on Zach Parise playing a full year, and it’s wedded themselves to him for another six years at $7.5 million a season.

We can be fair and say that Minnesota has in fact made the playoffs the last six seasons. As we saw with the Chicago Blackhawks though, all streaks end at some point. Especially if your team is merely putting the same product on the ice hoping past success will translate to a new campaign. Salaries catch up with you. Divisional foes get better and surpass you. It happens. The biggest problem is that the Wild won’t have the cap space to improve like other clubs will.

Next: Each NHL Team's Biggest 'What if' Moment

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