Tag: NHL

RANKING THE BIG 4 MARKETS

by jonesg17, posted in MLB, NBA, NHL

BY: Gerritt Jones

This is the first part in a three-part series

In this series we will examine how every sports market fared in the 2010 decade. I will look at each team in their respective market and compare with other teams within that market.  I only used Big 4 sports teams (MLB, NBA, NHL, NFL) in these rankings.

There are a few rules I followed in my rankings and are as follows:

  1. Each market is divided into a classification (1 team, 2 teams, 3 teams, 4 teams) — similar to how high school sports are divided–in order to make it easier to compare.
  2. MLB and NFL playoff appearances are weighted slightly more because NHL and NBA playoffs have over half of the teams in their leagues in the playoffs.
  3. For the NBA, NHL and NFL, I use the 2009-2010 seasons as the start of the decade, because the champion of each was crowned in 2010. For example, the Saints were Super Bowl champions in 2010.
  4. Markets only include teams in the metro area (for example I did not include Green Bay with Milwaukee and Sacramento with the Bay Area.

1 TEAM CLASS

              There are 19 different markets in the United States and Canada with only one Big 4 team. Most of them have not had much success in the 2010’s so instead of mindlessly ranking all 19, I will give you my top 3 for this category

3 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (NBA)

Oklahoma City has been a menace in the NBA since the new decade. They have made the postseason every year but the 2015 season, winning their division four straight years from 2011 through 2014 and another in 2016. The Thunder won a total of 10 playoff series this decade as well as a Western Conference Title in the 2012 season. However, they fell to the Miami Heat in five games, and an NBA title eluded them throughout the decade.

2 Green Bay, Wisconsin (NFL)

Headlined by their Super Bowl XLV title in the 2011 season, the packers were dominant for the first half of the decade. They racked up four division titles from 2012 through 2015, and another in 2016. Adding Wild Card appearances in 2011 and 2016, the Packers were a regular in the NFL playoffs this past decade.

1 San Antonio, Texas (NBA)

              I could probably keep the Spurs in this spot since the start of the millennium with how dominant they have been over the last 20 years. However, since the 2009-2010 NBA season, they won the Southwest Division seven times (2011-2014, 2016 & 2017) and they have two western conference titles in 2013 and 2014. In 2014 they beat the Big 3 Miami Heat for their fifth NBA title in franchise history. This was an easy call to have San Antonio at the top.

2 TEAM CLASS

11 Buffalo, New York (NFL, NHL)

              Oh boy, where do I start here… Buffalo has some of the most loyal fans with the worst sports teams. Between the Bills and Sabres they have a combined THREE playoff appearances this decade. The Bills in 2018 and the Sabres all the way back in 2010 & 2011. The Sabres did have the lone division title in 2010 for Buffalo. To make things worse, the Bills lost their playoff game and the Sabres did not get out of the first round either year. Things are definitely looking up for the Bills going into the new decade.

10 Cincinnati, Ohio (NFL, MLB)

              Without an NBA or NHL team to prop up their playoff appearances, the Reds and Bengals still totaled nine playoff appearances over the last 10 years and four of them coming by way of a division crown. The Bengals did not win a playoff game in six opportunities and the Reds lost in the NLDS in 2010 and 2012. To cap off their last appearance of the decade the Reds lost to Pittsburgh when Pirates fans were able to rattle Johnny Cueto in the 2013 Wild Card game.

9 Milwaukee, Wisconsin (MLB, NBA)

              This is where it becomes more difficult to rank each market. It is hard to put Milwaukee this far down considering they have two MVPs in the last two seasons with Christian Yelich and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Most of the success in Milwaukee has been very recently. The first part of the decade was largely a dumpster fire for Milwaukee. The Bucks had five playoff appearances before 2019 and did not have a single series win. Their first division title also came in 2019 as well as an Eastern Conference Finals appearance. The Brewers did win their division in 2011 and beat the Arizona Diamondbacks in five before falling to St. Louis in the NLCS. They won their division in 2018 and again lost in the NLCS. A wild card loss in 2019 kept Milwaukee out of the World Series and NBA finals for the entire decade and that’s why they’re at #9.

8. Charlotte, North Carolina (NFL, NBA)

              Charlotte’s position at #8 is propped up almost entirely by the Carolina Panthers. In particular their appearance in Super Bowl 50 preceded by a 15-1 regular season. The Panthers won three straight division titles from 2014 through 2016 and tacked on a wild card berth in 2018. If Cam Newton was able to stay healthy, Charlotte would be a few spots higher. The most notable thing the Charlotte Hornets did was switch their name from the Bobcats back to the Hornets after 2014 and the team did not seem to do any better; just 3 playoff appearances and not one series win. They have been painfully spaced out and did not string together back-to-back postseason appearances all decade. This team may belong in Buffalo.

7. Nashville, Tennessee (NFL, NHL)

              Yet another city propped up by one of their teams, but the Nashville Predators have been dominant the last 10 years. The predators have missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs just twice and have a Stanley Cup finals appearance and a Presidents Trophy to show for the 2010’s. If they weren’t snake bitten by the Chicago Blackhawks early in the decade, they would have more than seven playoff series wins. The Tennessee Titans chipped in a playoff appearance in 2018 and a win over the Kansas City Chiefs in Arrowhead, which is not an easy task.

6. Indianapolis, Indiana (NFL, NBA)

              Indianapolis comes in as the city with the most playoff appearances between their two teams (14) and the Colts won the AFC to start the decade. The Colts had a total of six playoff appearance and won the AFC South 4 times (2010,2011,2014 & 2015). The transition from Peyton Manning to Andrew Luck propelled the Colts through the decade. The Pacers have been a mainstay in the postseason for the last 10 years, only missing the playoffs in 2010 and 2015. Making back to back Eastern Conference Finals appearances in 2013 & 2014 headline the 2010’s but were unable to overcome LeBron James and the Miami Heat. Let’s not forget about Lance Stephenson either.

5. New Orleans, Louisiana (NFL, NBA)

              The New Orleans Saints beat the aforementioned Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV netting the city’s first professional sports title. The Saints also appeared in the postseason five more times in addition to 2010 but suffered heart-breaking losses in 2018 to the Minnesota Vikings and in 2019 to the Los Angeles Rams. Both years it was not out of the realm of possibility for another Saints Super Bowl victory. On the other hand, there is the New Orleans Pelicans. This team is notorious for wasting talented players, namely Chris Paul and Anthony Davis. Just three playoff appearances and no division titles, it was not a pretty decade for the Pelicans. They did however pick up a series sweep against Portland in the 2018 playoffs.  

4. Seattle, Washington (NFL, MLB)

              I can already hear my friends from the greater Seattle metro area tearing me apart for putting the Emerald City this low. The Seahawks have been absolutely phenomenal this decade. A Super Bowl win, another appearance and six total playoff appearances. Four NFC West titles to boot as well. It’s definitely not the Seahawks that is holding Seattle back. It’s the team that plays right across the street. The Seattle Mariners are one of just four MLB teams to not make the postseason in the last 10 seasons (Chicago White Sox, Miami Marlins and the San Diego Padres). To rub salt in the wound, they are now the only MLB franchise to never play in a World Series. I think most Seattle fans are content with a perennial contender in the Seahawks though.

3 Baltimore, Maryland (NFL, MLB)

              It really is hard to believe that the Orioles used to be a very good baseball team with how horrendous they have been the last two seasons. The O’s made the playoffs in 2012, 2014 and 2016, with the 2014 season being a division title. They did have a Wild Card win in 2012 and an ALDS series win in 2014. The real powerhouse in Baltimore is the Ravens who have three division titles and Super Bowl XLVII under their belt. They add another three playoff appearances in wild card games. An 8-5 postseason record is definitely a sign of a strong decade and the way they have played this season, the 2020’s could be friendly to them as well.

2 Kansas City, Missouri (NFL, MLB)

              The Kansas City Royals may have been the worst MLB team from 2000-2009. They had ONE winning season over that span, but the pain and suffering finally came to an end in the 2010’s. The Royals started out the 2014 postseason 8-0 enroute to a World Series appearance before losing to the San Francisco Giants in 7. They came back in 2015 and captured their second World Series title, beating the New York Mets in 5. They have largely gone dormant the last few years again but that’s the price of winning a ring in a smaller market. In the exact same parking lot lies Arrowhead Stadium and home to the Kansas City Chiefs. Amassing five division titles and two more wild card appearances, the Chiefs were regularly featured in the NFL playoffs even though they did not reach the AFC Championship until this past season. Just like the Ravens, the Chiefs will likely be a contender for a long time.

1 ST LOUIS, MISSOURI (NFL, MLB)

*I AM NOT COUNTING THE RAMS*

              It is strange how the top two markets lie in the same state of Missouri. St. Louis is the only city on this list to have both teams claim a championship this decade. The Cardinals are one of the most respected MLB organizations and have consistently developed their own players. It has paid dividends for them in the form of a 2011 World Series Championship, a 2013 NL Pennant, and five division titles. The Cardinals have their name written all over postseasons for most of the decade. Finally, in 2019 the Blues raised the cup for the first time in franchise history. The Blues netted six playoff appearances since 2009-2010 before their seventh resulted in the Cup. That journey was nothing short of phenomenal, being in last place as late as January when the playoffs start in April. They missed the playoffs the first two years but have made it six of the last seven and have two division titles in 2012 and 2015. PLAY GLORIA!

NEXT UP: 3 TEAM MARKETS

Hot-Headed Stars Fan – DAL vs NJD

by mchidragon, posted in NHL

The Dallas Stars defeated the New Jersey Devils 2-0 Tuesday evening in Dallas. On a night with no other DFW sports team playing, this dominant performance was nowhere near the biggest story as a head coach from a Dallas sports team had been fired; Unfortunately for myself and many other Cowboys fans, that Dallas head coach firing wasn’t Jason Garrett.

Instead, this day began with the stunning firing of Jim Montgomery. Less than a year and a half into his reign as Dallas Stars Head Coach, Jim Montgomery was fired for “Unprofessional conduct”; However an exact reason has yet to be given by the team and we will likely not know for a very long time what exactly transpired. It was announced by general manager Jim Nill that bench coach Rick Bowness would become interim head coach for the remainder of the season. The feeling around management and the players was of utter befuddlement as no one could truly comprehend how quickly this situation unfolded. Unfortunately for everyone, there was no time to for adjustment because there was a game to play that night.

If there is anyone in the NHL that can share similar feelings to the Dallas Stars it is the New Jersey Devils. The Devils are in a similar boat as the Stars as they are also on their second head coach of the season. However, the 9-15-5 record of the Devils had more of an impact in that decision than the Stars mystery firing. Considering all the circumstances, the Devils were the perfect opponent for the Stars to play at a time like this.

This was a night of straight dominance from the Dallas Stars. They took full advantage of a team in absolute shambles to regain their footing in Rick Bowness’ first game as head coach of the Dallas Stars. The difference in quality of each team was quite evident from the second the puck dropped. The Stars were first on the puck, held sustained pressure in the offensive zone and that pressure led to two quick goals by Radek Faksa and Joe Pavelski in the 1st period. Once those two goals were scored the Stars continued to bombard Mason Blackwood, but he stood on his head the rest of the game and ended the game only allowing those two early goals on 35 shots. Ben Bishop had a 25 save shutout on a rather calm night for Big Ben, but as always made the big save when he was called upon. This was another all around great team game for the Stars. You saw continued back checks from forwards, guys filling shot lanes, and giving up the body to block shots. Did the 2-0 score line really show how dominant the Stars were? No not really, and that comes back to the Achilles heal of every Stars team these past couple of years and that is finishing. These grade A opportunities cannot continue to be squandered by over passing and waiting for the perfect shot. Another area of needed improvement for this team is their stale power play. It is absolutely bewildering that Tyler Seguin made a living shooting one timers from the left circle, but the staff refuses to put him in his best opportunity to succeed on the Power Play. Despite those minor gripes, it was still a great win and morale booster for this team as they gave Rick Bowness his first win as Dallas Stars head coach.

Lastly, I’d like to end the night (and most likely all nights from here on out) with some Hot Takes and things I personally found interesting in this matchup. This segment will be called “BGO’s Bitching Booth” for the time being.

  1. Miro Heiskanen is eons better than Nico Hischier. In recent memory, most NHL lottery picks have lived up to the hype that earned them such high draft grade, however it has become abundantly clear that neither Nico Hischier nor Nolan Patrick deserved to be the 1st and 2nd overall pick in the 2017 NHL Draft. You may even argue that neither would be Top 5 if it was re-drafted.
  2. PK Subban is still hated in Dallas and deservedly so. The guy is just a jerk who is finally being exposed as a fraud. The guy is consistently out of position, his offensively capabilities are overrated, and he decides that cheap shots behind the play are the best way to be relevant in the game. It is a damn shame that all he will be known for is being Lindsey Vonn’s husband by the end of his career.
  3. Denis Gurianov is fun to watch, like very fun. I get the same giddiness watching Denis the Menance play as I did with Roope Hintz during the second half of the 2018-19 Dallas Stars season. Gurianov’s game is like a game of spin the bottle (rocket). You may not get the action you wanted, but you’ll get to see some fireworks happen regardless.
  4. Tyler Seguin for Taylor Hall. It won’t happen but hey I can dream can’t I?
  5. Also, what the hell is wrong with Tyler Seguin? Is he hurt? Did he forget how to shoot the puck? Is he sacrificing too much of his offensive game to be more defensively sound? I don’t have the answer, but I am already beginning to regret this Seguin extension and we aren’t even half a season into it.

The next Stars game will be Friday 12/13 against the Golden Knights. Thankfully we will be blessed with watching the second most useless player in the NHL, Ryan Reaves.

Thanks for reading 🙂