What exactly has happened with the Canada-based NHL teams being so bad?

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DIFeOkD_dc&w=600&h=315] There are seven NHL teams based in Canada (23 based in America), including some of the proudest franchises in the sport (Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Edmonton Oilers, etc.) The 2014 playoffs begin on April 16 -- so in about a week -- and right now, there would be one Canadian t…