The last year has been a rough one for Nashville Predators [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators] fans, but they aren't the most miserable fanbase in the NHL, according to ESPN. On Wednesday, ESPN released its Sports Misery Index [https://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/_/id/45344992/sports-misery-index], which calculates how miserable you are, on a scale from 0-100, based on the teams that you support. Fans can choose how they feel about their teams on a scale of Elated (19-0), Pleasant (39-29), Meh (59-40), Failing (79-60) and Woeful (100-80). According to ESPN, the ratings were determined using a combination of regular-season wins, postseason success and expected win data in the form of preseason over-unders. The Predators fell right in the middle of the NHL's rankings at 17th, with a 76 misery rating. The Montreal Canadiens were ranked 16th, and the New York Rangers were ranked 18th. While the Predators didn't make the playoffs in their first five seasons in the NHL, they've made the playoffs in 16 out of their last 21 seasons. However, only six of those times have they advanced past the first round. In their existence, they've won a Presidents' Trophy, two division titles, and made an appearance in the Stanley Cup Final. The same cannot be said for the top five most miserable teams ranked in the NHL over the last 15 years. The Anaheim Ducks (5th) have won five Pacific Division titles in the last 15 years, but have not made the playoffs since 2018 and haven't made the Stanley Cup Final since 2007. Ottawa (4th) hasn't won a divisional title in the last 15 years, has made the playoffs just six times in the previous 15 years and hasn't been to the Stanley Cup Final since 2007. Similar to the Ducks, the Senators' last Presidents' Trophy was also in 2003. The Detroit Red Wings (3rd) had massive success through the 90s, 2000s and early 2010s, but have since fizzled off. They have one divisional title in the last 15 years and have not made the playoffs since 2016. The most miserable runner-up in the NHL, the Columbus Blue Jackets, have never won any sort of hardware in their 25 years of existence. They've only made the playoffs six times and won just two of those series. The Blue Jackets' last postseason appearance was 2020. Finally, at the top, with a 97 misery ranking, which is tied for third as the most miserable team in ESPN's Sports Misery Index, is the Buffalo Sabres. In addition to not having made the playoffs since 2011, they have not won their division since 2010, a Presidents' Trophy since 2007, and haven't been to the Stanley Cup Final since 1999. While Predator fans were unhappy with last season's result, things could be a lot worse, according to these rankings.
