New York could miss the playoffs yet again

[scoop 3,382]

After being the biggest buyers at the trade deadline, the New York Americans are currently sitting outside of a playoff position. To be fair, they are tied with Los Angeles and D.C. at 62 points; the three of them are vying for the fourth and fifth seeds. New York's trade partners at the deadline? Los Angeles and D.C.

 

The Americans have not made the playoffs since Season 78. In an effort to end this record ten-season playoff drought, the Americans dealt three second round picks in two trades in order to acquire some more firepower for their roster. They added left wing Nezuko and defenseman Max Torq, both of whom are retiring at the end of this season. Nezuko came from Los Angeles, while Torq came from D.C. Yes, the two teams they traded with are the very same teams with which they are competing for the playoffs. To make things slightly more interesting, D.C. and Los Angeles had also made a trade with each other at the deadline.

 

If they don't make the playoffs this season, New York may struggle to end the drought any time soon. In addition to Nezuko and Torq retiring, Biggie Cheese and Augustus Kennedy will also be done after this season. New York is not a particularly young team even looking beyond the retiring players. This team is not in good shape, and even if they do manage to make the playoffs, they likely won't make it far; but still, just making the playoffs would be an accomplishment for them, all things considered.