Five teams returned to the 2026 playoff field, ending droughts of various lengths. The Sabres returned for the first time in 14 seasons, the Ducks returned after seven seasons away, and the other four were in after one-year absences. Four teams dropped out, including nine-season drought-ending back-to-back Stanley Cup winners the Florida Panthers and the Toronto Maple Leafs after a nine-year run. 

The back-to-back Cup winners had major injuries that kept both sidelined until roughly the Olympics, which contributed to them missing the playoffs. 

Considering six teams to have had a turnover this year may be a tad optimistic, but these teams are making an honest effort to improve:

Florida Panthers – The 2024 and 2025 Stanley Cup champions missed the playoffs because captain Aleksander Barkov missed 2024 after offseason knee surgery and Matthew Tkachuk was kept out until the Olympics. Both are healthy now, which alone improves their outlook. The team has added Brady Tkachuk and other nasty players to its core, but how strong the goaltending will be is a question after they parted with Sergei Bobrovsky in free agency and traded for Jacob Markstrom.

Washington Capitals – The Capitals acquired players who scored at least 30 goals in the three previous seasons (Alex Tuch and Jordan Kyrou) and orchestrated a bonus-filled deal to bring back record-setting scorer Alex Ovechkin. 

Boone Jenner is a good addition, too, and Vincent Desharnais helps account for a long-term Rasmus Sandin injury. 

San Jose Sharks – The Sharks finished four points out of the 2025 playoffs for a seventh consecutive drought. But prospects Macklin Celebrini continues to move toward the NHL, and the team added beefy veterans on defense and noisy pest Mason Marchment (who played for dad Rick in Florida) to the roster. Second lottery winner Ivar Stenberg, a talented draft selection, is a solid pickup. 

Making the playoffs is far from assured, but the Kings look to have the potential to regress. 

New Jersey Devils – The new general manager, Sunny Mehta, acquired scoring winger Mantha and versatile winger Luke Evangelista, 33-goal scorer. Jack Hughes must stay healthy and can the goaltending be good enough? 

Toronto Maple Leafs – Bobrovsky, goaltender Jacob Markstrom and 22-goal defenseman Darren Raddysh were added, and general manager John Chayka juggled the bottom six forward group. 

With first overall selection Gavin McKenna living up to potential, the Maple Leafs may finally end their one-year playoff drought. Others to watch Nashville Predators – They missed the 2025 playoffs by four points. New general manager Chris Mac Farland traded for some of his former players in Colorado and added Mavrik Bourque. Can the team get a better year from Juuse Saros and Jonathan Marchessault? 

St. Louis Blues – Same story: four points out of the postseason. The team welcomed Connor McMichael back in the Kyrou deal and Mason Mac Tavish may benefit from a change of scenery.

New York Islanders – They will get a full season from Peters coach Peter DeBoer, a hire late last season, and the team showed Matthew Schaefer can be a very special player.

Written by

Lakshya