ROCK BOTTOM: WAITING ON THE BOUNCE

10 years ago

When a team hits rock bottom in the standings like the Edmonton Oilers have twice since the NHL lockout of 2004-05, the silver lining for fans is the expectation short-term pain will result in long-term gain and that the team will eventually pick itself up off the floor.

After seven straight years out of the playoffs, soon to be eight, the Oilers, as everybody is acutely aware, have been selling that hope to the faithful folks who buy their tickets and jerseys for years now – the bounce off the bottom, a rise back to respectability and playoff contention.

If you look at teams that have hit the bottom of that elevator shaft in the eight seasons since the lockout – I’m leaving out the Florida Panthers, who finished 30th overall in 2012-13 because we don’t know where they’ll finish this season — the expectation better times are ahead isn’t unfounded.

Except for fans of the Oilers, of course, who’ve looked on as their team has gone from being Stanley Cup finalists in 2006 to finishing 2009-10 and 2011-12 dead-last, where they have pretty much stayed.

Where’s the bounce?

LONG WAY DOWN

Here’s a look at the teams that have finished 30th since the lockout and where they’ve finished in NHL overall standings in subsequent seasons.

2005-06: ST. LOUIS BLUES 21-46-15 for 57 points

2006-07: 34-35-13 for 79 points – 22nd
2007-08: 33-36-13 for 79 points – 27th
2008-09: 41-31-10 for 92 points – 15th
2009-10: 40-32-10 for 90 points – 15th
2010-11: 38-33-11 for 87 points – 20th
2011-12: 49-22-11 for 109 points – 3rd
2012-13: 29-17-2 for 60 points – 6th

2006-07: PHILADELPHIA FLYERS 22-48-12 for 56 points

2007-08: 42-29-11 for 95 points – 11th
2008-09: 44-27-11 for 99 points – 9th
2009-10: 41-35-6 for 88 points – 18th
2010-11: 47-23-12 for 106 points – 3rd
2011-12: 47-26-9 for 103 points – 6th
2012-13: 23-22-3 for 49 points – 20th

2007-08: TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING 31-42-9 for 71 points

2008-09: 24-40-18 for 66 points – 29th
2009-10: 34-36-12 for 80 points – 25th
2010-11: 46-25-11 for 103 points – 8th
2011-12: 38-36-8 for 84 points – 21st
2012-13: 18-26-4 for 40 points – 28th

2008-09: NEW YORK ISLANDERS 26-47-9 for 61 points

2009-10: 34-37-11 for 79 points – 26th
2010-11: 30-39-13 for 73 points – 27th
2011-12: 34-37-11 for 79 points – 27th
2012-13: 24-17-7 for 55 points – 16th

2009-10: EDMONTON OILERS 27-47-8 for 62 points

2010-11: 25-45-12 for 62 points – 30th
2011-12: 32-40-10 for 74 points – 29th
2012-13: 19-22-7 for 45 points – 24th

2011-12: COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS 29-46-7 for 65 points

2012-13: 24-17-7 for 55 points – 17th

THIS ABOUT THAT . . .

Philadelphia’s last-place finish was a blip on the radar as they enjoyed the biggest bounce in a season after finishing 30th when they improved by 39 points. St. Louis is next with a 24-point improvement. The Blues best season since finishing last is 109 points, an improvement of 52 points. Philly is next with a 50-point jump in 2010-11.

Coming into this season, the Flyers have made the playoffs in four of six seasons since finishing 30th. The Blues have made it in three of seven seasons. Even Tampa Bay and the Islanders, who have floundered almost as badly as the Oilers, have made the playoffs once each, and the Bolts are poised to get in again this season.

Listen to Robin Brownlee Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on the Jason Gregor Show on TEAM 1260.

ROCK BOTTOM: WAITING ON THE BOUNCE

LONG WAY DOWN

THIS ABOUT THAT . . .

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