NHL Power Rankings: 10 Most Disappointing Teams This Season

If your team currently sits in a playoff spot then chances are you're fairly happy, but many fans around the NHL find their team on the outside looking in, and disappointment couldn't be higher.

The following is a list, in no particular order, of ten of the most disappointing teams in the NHL. Many teams on the list had high expectations at the start of the season, but have since been smacked in the face by reality.

Whether you're happy or sad with your teams performance this season, know that fans around the league share both your happiness and pain.

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Colorado Avalanche

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NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 12: Joel Waqrd #29 of the Nashville Predators celebrates a goal against Peter Budaj #31 of the Colorado Avalanche on March 12, 2011 at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images

Coming into the season the Avalanche had one of the younger and more exciting rosters in the NHL, but the likes of Matt Duchene and Paul Stastny were not able to get the scoring done as they had in the past.

However, the real issue this season was goaltending. Unlike last year, Craig Anderson was inconstant at best and, as a result was traded at the deadline.

Atlanta Thrashers

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NEWARK, NJ - MARCH 15: Ondrej Pavelec #31 of the Atlanta Thrashers skates against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on March 15, 2011 in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils defeated the Thrashers 4-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

The Thrashers were one of the most active teams in the offseason. They bolstered their roster at the expensive of cap issues in Chicago. Among others, Andrew Ladd and Dustin Byfuglien were added to an exciting team that already had good young talent.

The Thrashers started off on fire, but have since dropped off and now find themselves fighting for a playoff spot. They were expected to do much in the offseason, but have disappointed more than a few hockey fans with play as of late, because it’s clear that the talent for success is there.

New York Rangers

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NEWARK, NJ - FEBRUARY 18: Marian Gaborik #10 of the New York Rangers waits for a faceoff during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on February 18, 2011 in Newark, New Jersey. Devils won 1-0.

Rangers’ fans never know exactly what to expect from their team. After missing the playoffs as a result of a shootout defeat at the hands of the Philadelphia Flyers, New York refocused and had high hopes. While they currently sit in seventh in the Eastern conference, it’s fair to say that more was expected this year.

Unfortunately, recurring injuries seem to bother sniper Marian Gaborik, but maybe a good playoff run can change the fortunes in the Big Apple.

Buffalo Sabres

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PHILADELPHIA - MARCH 05: Ryan Miller #30 of the Buffalo Sabres in action against the Philadelphia Flyers during their game on March 5, 2011 at The Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Coming off a year where he was arguably the best goalie in the world, Ryan Millar was hoping for more this season. But fans in Buffalo have had to go through yet another season of ownership issues inconsistent play.

As of late the Sabres have attempted to right the ship, but fans in Buffalo deserve to have a sure-playoff team based on a talented roster. Yet another season is going by and once again the Sabres are fighting for a playoff spot, and if they get in it seems that fans wouldn't be surprised with an early exit.

St. Louis Blues

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ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 16: Goalie Ray Emery #29 and Ryan Getzlaf #15 of the Anaheim Ducks celebrate weith teammates as Chirs Stewart #25 of the St. Louis Blues skates off the ice after their game at Honda Center on March 16, 2011 in Anaheim, California. An

The Blues traded for Jaroslav Halak in the offseason. When they did, fans in Montreal were up in arms after having just witness Halak take their team to the Eastern Conference Finals. While Canadiens fans were singing the blues, fans in St. Louis couldn't have been more excited going into the season.

Halak has played well on a good young team, but the Blues were unable to put together winning streaks at the right times. Unfortunately, this cash-strapped organization has been in a downward spiral since mid-season, and no end is in sight.

Toronto Maple Leafs

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UNIONDALE, NY - MARCH 08: James Reimer #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs tends net against the New York Islanders at the Nassau Coliseum on March 8, 2011 in Uniondale, New York. The Islanders defeated the Leafs 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Gett

Brian Burke and Dave Nonis orchestrated a few big trades for Leafs Nation in January of last season. Management brought in Dion Phaneuf and Jean-Sebastien Giguere with the hopes that a culture change would take place in Toronto.

The Leafs started the season with four straight wins and fans in Toronto became overly excited. The excitement turned out to be premature as familiar inconsistent play had returned to a storied franchise that had not seen the playoffs in the post-lockout era.

The Leafs rebounded just a month ago on the shoulders of rookie James Reimer. Dubbed ‘Optimus Reim’ in Leafs Nation, Reimer’s strong goaltending has given the Leafs a chance to fight for the playoffs, but will fans be disappointed once again?

Anaheim Ducks

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DENVER, CO - MARCH 11: Teemu Selanne #8 of the Anaheim Ducks warms up prior to facing the Colorado Avalanche during NHL action at the Pepsi Center on March 11, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Could it be possible that a team with Corey Perry, Ryan Geztlaf, Bobby Ryan, Jonas Hiller and veteran Teemu Selanne miss the playoffs? Unfortunately, such is the case for fans in Anaheim.

After witnessing their team win Lord Stanley’s mug just a few seasons ago, Ducks fans have seen their team fall off dramatically. The Ducks are barely holding on to the final playoff spot in the Western Conference, and considering the fact that Hiller was the NHL’s top goalie during the first half of the season, this fact doesn’t make much sense.

The Ducks should be a regular contender with the lineup they have. Regardless of parity in the NHL, the Ducks have the talent to be a top team every season, and fans were hoping for more from their team thus far.

New Jersey Devils

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NEWARK, NJ - MARCH 15: Martin Brodeur #30 of the New Jersey Devils tends net against the Atlanta Thrashers at the Prudential Center on March 15, 2011 in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils defeated the Thrashers 4-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

The Devils landed the biggest fish over the summer. Even though fans had to wait awhile, excitement shot through New Jersey when word came down that Ilya Kovalchuk would be staying. While the rest of the hockey world was sceptical, the Devils seemed sure that the Russian sniper would provide the offense to get them over the top in the East.

Since early January the Devils have gone 22-3-2, which makes them undoubtedly the hottest team in the NHL. But a terrible first half of the season still has them outside of the playoff picture. Devils fans were disappointed early on, but with the recent surge of their team it’s hard not to get optimistic.

His team is not fun to watch, but give credit to Jacques Lamer for returning hockey to New Jersey.

Ottawa Senators

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OTTAWA, CANADA - MARCH 15: Zbynek Michalek #4;Chris Kunitz #14;Tyler Kennedy #48 and Jordan Staal #11 of the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrate a goal while Chris Phillips #4 of the Ottawa Senators skates away dejectedly in a game at Scotiabank Place on March

The Senators signed Sergei Gonchar, who was supposed to be the one piece they needed on the back end, but to no avail. Ottawa may very well be the most disappointing team this season.

Their saving-grace in net never turned out to be, as Pascal Leclaire couldn't overcome recurring injuries. Ottawa had the talent at the start of the year but inconsistent play at all positions boiled over, and come the trade deadline the fire sale was on.

From playoff contender to rebuilder, fans in Canada’s national capital are disappointed, to say the least.

Los Angeles Kings

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DETROIT, MI - MARCH 9: Jonathan Quick #32 of the Los Angeles Kings gets his stick on a shot in a game against the Detroit Red Wings on March 9, 2011 at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan. The Kings defeated the Wings 2-1. (Photo by Claus Andersen/G

It’s hard to image that a playoff team would be on this list, but the fact is that expectations were very high at the start of the season for the Kings. Los Angeles was a team that was picked as a preseason favorite to win the Stanley Cup, or at the very least to contend for the Western Conference title.

At the trade deadline the Kings had completely fallen out of the role as potential Stanley Cup winner, and until recently they found themselves outside of the playoffs.

Should the Kings have a solid playoff run all may be forgotten, but hopes were high in Los Angeles for the first time since the departure of Wayne Gretzky, and it’s clear that their fans want a winning team.