The crazy ranking of management confidence amongst NHL fanbase

Every year The Hockey News runs an unofficial survey that ultimately serves to find a ranking for fans’ confidence in their favorite team’s management. Fans are asked to rank their team’s ability in six categories: roster building, cap management, drafting and developing, trading, free-agency and overall vision. 

This year’s version features some very interesting developments. Some teams performed as you might expect, but there were definitely some surprising results. Take the Florida Panthers, for example. In just one year the Panthers fell from 2nd amongst fan confidence all the way down to 24th this year. I guess that’s what happens when you fire your head coach after a win and shuffle him out the back door with so much as a ‘thank you’ and some change to pay for a taxi.

The Washington Capitals were also another team that fell off a cliff with its fanbase. Ranked 5th last year in fan confidence, the Caps plummeted to 23rd this year. With key pieces like Marcus Johansson, Kevin Shattenkirk and Karl Alzner walking away from the team, it’s no surprise.

Trending in the opposite direction, how about the rise of the Toronto Maple Leafs? The Leafs were 14th in fan confidence a year ago, but rose to 4th as a result of their performance in 2016-17. Ditto for the Columbus Blue Jackets who rose from 25th to 6th. It’s amazing what one good season and a return to the post-season can do a team’s fanbase.

Top of the list? This season's two Stanley Cup Finalists go 1 and 2 with the Nashville Predators leading the Pittsburgh Penguins by a slim margin. Who's the worst? No surprises here, but Joe Sakic and the Colorado Avalanche take the 31st spot.

For a full list of the rankings, click the link below: