The Stanley Cup Playoffs are officially underway, but some truly classic teams are missing this year. Now, NHL analyst and podcast host Paul Bissonnette is sharing the team he thinks underperformed the most this season—and it’s tough to argue with him.
For the first time in NHL history, all four American Original Six teams—the Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings, and New York Rangers—missed the playoffs. While it wasn’t a huge surprise that the Blackhawks didn’t make it, few would’ve predicted that both the Bruins and Rangers would fall so far in the standings.
The Rangers won the Presidents’ Trophy as the top team in the regular season, and the Bruins came into the year with stars like David Pastrnak, Jeremy Swayman, and Brad Marchand leading the charge. But things just didn’t click.
Paul Bissonnette slams the Rangers
Meanwhile, many fans were hoping to see Sidney Crosby back in the playoffs. Despite an incredible season from the veteran forward, the Penguins fell short for the second straight year. But when Bissonnette was asked which team disappointed him the most, he didn’t hesitate.
“Oh, I would definitely say the Rangers, based on winning the Presidents’ Trophy last year,” he said to USA Today Sports.
“I don’t think many people had high expectations for the Penguins—they’re very top-heavy, don’t have a deep prospect pool, and still haven’t figured out their goalie situation. So I’d say their expectations going into the season were nowhere near the Rangers’.”
Bissonnette also pointed to some of the Rangers’ surprising in-season moves, especially the trade of captain Jacob Trouba.
“Talk about a colossal collapse over the last 12 months. And also just a lot of uncertainty throughout the lineup, and a lack of loyalty. I mean, they moved on from Trouba—their captain—after giving him the ‘C’ less than two years prior to trading him. It’s just been a colossal mess there, and I have to direct my attention toward the Rangers.”
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