Worst President's Cup winning team, Best non-President's winning team

[daver]

There are many examples of PC winning teams winning the SC in the years before, during or after. Florida, TBay, Washington, Chicago are recent examples. Usually teams getting to and/or winning the Cup multiple times are complimented with a PC winning season in the years surrounding.

What team was the worst in terms of winning the PC then completely fizzling out in the playoffs and were never a factor in the years before or after? I.e. their PC can be considered a one-off win by a somewhat mediocre team. The most recent teams to fit the criteria of not getting to a SCF would be the 2010 Caps and the 2009 Sharks.

How about a team that had multiple SCFs but never won the PC? The 2016 and 2017 Pens are the most recent team to fit this criteria.

 

[GlitchMarner]

The 2007 Sabres fell off hard, but they also lost key pieces in Briere and Drury, and the fact that the League backed away from enforcing penalties very strictly probably hurt them offensively.

I think that contrary to popular belief, the 2015 Rangers had more than just Lundqvist. Their defense was decent enough and they had great scoring depth and an excellent rush/counter attack game but lacked prime offensive superstar talent and fell off fast.

The 2024 Rangers were pretty weak for a League-leading team. They had great special teams but were top-heavy and mediocre five on five.

 

[daver]

The 2007 Sabres fell off hard, but they also lost key pieces in Briere and Drury, and the fact that the League backed away from enforcing penalties very strictly probably hurt them offensively.

I think that contrary to popular belief, the 2015 Rangers had more than just Lundqvist. Their defense was decent enough and they had great scoring depth and an excellent rush/counter attack game but lacked prime offensive superstar talent and fell off fast.

The 2024 Rangers were pretty weak for a League-leading team. They had great special teams but were top-heavy and mediocre five on five.

The 2015 Ranger made it to the SCF. The Sabres got to two ECFs.

The 2000 Blues got to WCF. So did the 2009 Sharks. The 2003 Sens got to the ECF.

The 2010 Caps are the only PC winner that didn't make it as least to a CF in the years surrounding them. Of course that team was always in the hunt and mainly the same core did win another PC and eventually the Cup.

The 2008 and 2009 Pens could be one of the best non PC winning teams (and maybe they get added to the later Pens team). The Devils from 1995 to 2003 are up there too. The late 80s Habs also.

 

[Gorskyontario]

best non winner: 1988 oilers, 79 habs, 80, 83 islanders, basically any dynasty team that had an off year. Non dynasty teams maybe the 97/98 wings, 96 avs. Lots of choices.


Worst winner is much more interesting IMO. I would pick the 08-09 sharks. Zero fight or backbone on that team outside of Roenick who was washed up for 5 years at that point.