Nikita Zadorov, the Russian defenseman for Calgary, spoke candidly about why his team did not reach the National Hockey League playoffs this year. He made it clear that the responsibility lies with the entire squad and that personal performance is only part of the picture. The defender stressed that he would not absolve himself just because he had played well. Everyone on the team shared the blame for the missed postseason, and he noted the club’s high preseason expectations did not translate into a successful run in the spring.
According to Zadorov, the true setback happened on the road, in Chicago. He pointed to the number of overtime losses as a telling sign of the season’s misfires. In total, there were seventeen overtime defeats, a stat that underscored the missed opportunities and the gaps in closing out tight games. Calgary finished the campaign in ninth place in the Western Conference, narrowly missing a playoff berth.
In contrast, Winnipeg earned the final playoff spot by finishing eighth, leaving the Jets two points ahead of Calgary. The playoff field was now set, and the action moved into the rounds that determine who can chase Lord Stanley’s Cup. The series involving Dallas and Seattle saw the Stars push their advantage all the way to a decisive seventh game, prevailing 2-1 in overtime to move forward. In another matchup, Vegas eliminated Edmonton in a six-game series, winning 4-2 to advance. These outcomes highlighted how fine the margins are between playoff runs and early summers for teams in the league.
There was also mention of Matvey Michkov earlier in the season as a young player evaluating his NHL fit during candid discussions after his workouts. The notion of which NHL club he would possibly join remained part of ongoing conversations as scouts and executives weighed his potential impact in the league. These discussions reflected the broader talent assessment process that accompanies a season of high expectations and rigorous development. [citation needed]