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For those six Canadian franchises- or the 43%- this season was marked by disappointment, collapses and rebuilds. Aroldis Chapman Red Jersey .Here quick season recaps of the teams that are entering golf season early, even if there still is snow on the ground.The Ottawa Senators entered last season with a label of being a rebuilding team that wouldnt reach the playoffs. To the surprise of many, the Senators entered the playoffs as a seventh seed and upset the Canadiens in the first round 4-1.This season, the expectations for the Senators were lofty, they lost captain Daniel Alfredsson but acquired Bobby Ryan and star defenceman Erik Karlsson was given a clean bill of health. Yet, the Senators failed live up the level of performance theyd produced the previous season and were removed from the playoff race shortly after the trade deadline.Some would say the Sens just werent ready to fight for it.GIF credit: TumblrThe Toronto Maple Leafs 2013 playoff run gave hope to fans that the future was bright for the team. Add a new starting goaltender in Jonathan Bernier and two veteran grinders, David Clarkson and Dave Bolland, and it seemed the Leafs were ready to surge beyond the first round of the playoffs. Yet, the Leafs game 7 collapse against the Bruins in 2013 turned out be a microcosm of the 2013-2014 campaign.Sitting a safely in a playoff spot late in the season, the Leafs travelled to California for a road trip; the team defeated the Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings to put themselves at a 90% chance of making the playoffs. To the amazement of many, the Leafs then dropped eight straight games –and 12 of their final 14- before falling well out of the playoffs. The Leafs pretty well took themselves out this season.GIF credit: The Leafs NationThe Winnipeg Jets had come close to a playoff spot in each of their first two years in the city. Many fans wondered; could this be the year the team finally entered the post-season? The answer to that question would be no. Early failures led to the team firing head coach Claude Noel in January, and though Paul Maurice put the Jets in the playoff race after he arrived, but once again the team missed their mark.GIF credit: TumblrThe Vancouver Canucks went from having the leagues top goaltending duo last season, to now having Eddie Lack and Jacob Markstrom as options in their crease. After trading Corey Schneider in the offseason, the Canucks traded Roberto Luongo prior to the trade deadline, a move that stunned the hockey world. The team went from a contender to a rebuilding team almost overnight. The disaster of the previous 10 months led to president and general manager Mike Gillis being fired and coach John Tortorella being on the hottest of seats entering the offseason. In the end, this GIF perfectly summed up the Canucks season.GIF credit: Vancouver Sports BlogThe Calgary Flames ended this season with the ability to move forward with a lot of positives. This season was a write-off for team, they traded franchise hero Jarome Iginla and defenceman Jay Bouwmeester on deadline day last season and watched goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff retire. The Flames were simply using this season to allow their young players to gain experience and finish with a high draft pick. Yet, the success of young players such as Sean Monahan and a breakout campaign from Mikael Backlund have given Flames fans hope for the future, something many fans in Canada dont seem to have right now.In the end, the Flames line brawl against the Canucks will likely live as the most memorable moment in a forgettable 2013-2014.GIF credit: TumblrGIF credit: TumblrFinally, we have the Edmonton Oilers, who have once again taken their place in the leagues basement despite being overloaded with young talent. The Oilers seemed to have more promise than ever entering this season after signing the hottest coaching name, Dallas Eakins, and adding Andrew Ference to lead the teams young core from the blue line. Yet, despite a new coach and new captain, the Oilers once again struggled to compete and were forced to make moves for their future rather than moves to help a playoff push. The Oilers additions of goaltenders Ben Scrivens and Viktor Fasth seemed to be a step in the right direction, however another season of "maybe next year" angered even the most patient of Edmonton fans. Multiple jerseys were thrown on the ice this season and despite Scrivens sending one back, the fans may be on the verge of no longer taking them back. GIF credit: Twitter.com/myregularfaceThe failures of the above six franchises have led Canadians to being forced to either cheer for the Canadiens, a polarizing franchise at best, or cheer for a team south of the border.Of course, theres always the option throw in the towel on watching playoff at all, just like Dallas Eakins did. Is this the worst season ever of Canadian NHL teams? The evidence above suggests it might be… Joey Votto Authentic .J. -- The New York Giants are not only back in the playoff hunt with a four-game winning streak, theyre calling the plays that get them those wins. Joe Morgan Red Jersey . "First, I would like to offer my deepest and sincerest apologies for any harm I have inflicted on University of Missouri defensive lineman, Michael Sam," the statement read.PITTSBURGH -- Penguins captain Sidney Crosby, out since Dec. 5 because of a recurrence of concussion-like symptoms, was placed on the injured list on Saturday. Crosby has already been out the required time for someone on the injured list, so he could be activated at any time. He missed his fifth game, since his latest injury, on Saturday when Pittsburgh hosted Buffalo. The Penguins also placed defenceman Robert Bortuzzo (concussion) onn the injured list, and recalled forward Jason Williams and defenceman Carl Sneep from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the AHL. Mat Latos Red Jersey. Crosby complained of headaches last week and is taking a cautious approach in his recovery. He was originally injured in January when hits to the head in consecutive games caused a concussion. He was out of action from Jan. 5 until Nov. 21. Crosby has 12 points in eight games this season. cheap jerseys from china cheap jerseys ' ' '