According to ESPN, last year was challenging for Nashville Predators fans, but they are not the most unfortunate supporters in the NHL. On Wednesday, ESPN unveiled the Sports Misery Index, which rates fan misery on a scale from 0 to 100 based on their team’s performance. Fans can express their sentiment towards their team with categories like 19-0, Pleasant, MEH, Fail, and Woeful.
The index is calculated using a mix of regular season wins, playoff achievements, and preseason expectations, as explained by ESPN. The Predators ranked 17th in the NHL with a misery score of 76, while the Montreal Canadiens were 16th and the New York Rangers 18th.
Though the Predators missed the playoffs in their first five NHL seasons, they have qualified 16 times in the past 21 years, with just six series wins beyond the first round. They have also won the President’s Trophy, two division titles, and made a Stanley Cup final appearance. In contrast, the top five most miserable teams in the NHL over the past 15 years have had far less success.
The Anaheim Ducks, ranked 5th, have secured five Pacific Division titles but haven’t made the playoffs since 2018 or appeared in a Stanley Cup Final since 2007. Ottawa, 4th, hasn’t won a division title in 15 years, made only six playoff appearances, and last played in the Stanley Cup Final in 2007. The Detroit Red Wings, 3rd, were dominant in earlier decades but have only one division title in 15 years and last made the playoffs in 2016.
Columbus Blue Jackets, the second-most miserable team, have never won a trophy in their 25-year history, with just six playoff appearances and two series wins, their last postseason being in 2020. At the top of the misery list are the Buffalo Sabres, scoring 97 on the index and tied for the worst team according to ESPN. They haven’t reached the playoffs since 2011, won a division since 2010, claimed the President’s Trophy since 2007, or made it to the Stanley Cup Final since 1999.
While Predators fans were disappointed last season, these rankings indicate that some fan bases face even tougher times ahead.
Fan Take: This ranking highlights the enduring struggles of several NHL fanbases and underscores how challenging sustained success in hockey can be. For the sport, it serves as a reminder of the highs and lows that define fan loyalty and the unpredictable nature of competitive hockey.
