We explore the next moves each team should make this summer and forecast its 2026-27 outlook.
The 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs are about to begin, which means that while 16 NHL teams are looking forward to their shot at the best trophy in sports, 16 others will be looking ahead to the offseason. What went right and wrong for each of the eliminated teams? How should they modify their rosters this summer via trades, free agency and the draft? And what is each club's outlook for 2026-27? Read on for full breakdown on every team that is no longer eligible to win the Stanley Cup in 2026. More teams will be added to this story as they are eliminated, so keep this page bookmarked. Note: Profiles for the Atlantic and Metro teams were written by Kristen Shilton. Ryan S. Clark analyzed the Central and Pacific teams. Stats are collected from sites such as
The front office acknowledging reality. The Flames finished with more than 90 points twice during the four-year span in which they've missed the playoffs. That might have created a mixed message: Were they close to being a playoff team or was the postseason the object in the mirror that was closer than it appeared? in exchange for significant draft capital, it appears as if the Flames are about to embrace the full freight of a true rebuild rather than a retool on the fly. With eight picks in the first three rounds this summer, one of the best prospect pipelines in the league will get another big boost.
The Flames finished in the top 10 of most scoring chances allowed per 60 minutes and the most high-danger chances allowed per 60, which illustrates their defensive challenges. But the strongest image detailing how the Flames struggled to score? It was the fact that Kadri, who was traded to the Colorado Avalanche on March 6, was still tied for the team lead in points and led them in assists and power-play assists as of April 7.
has four years left on a contract worth $10.5 million annually, but he has reached the 60-point mark only once in four seasons with Calgary. The Flames could also be facing major decisions with all entering the final year of their contracts. Strome, who has 11 points in 15 games since being traded to the Flames, has the most expensive contract of the trio at $5 million. That could make it easier to move one or all of them in exchange for prospects or draft capital. While having that elite prospect pipeline is great for the future, it appears the Flames are headed toward the short-term challenges that come with being in a full-on rebuild.
This season was the most promising that the Blackhawks have looked since last making the playoffs during the pandemic-shortened 2019-20 season. In fact, it was the first time since that season they finished with 70 or more points.
Chicago's youth was also a challenge at times, especially with its defensive structure and the problems it manifested. The Blackhawks gave up the second-most shots per 60, the most scoring chances per 60 and the most high-danger chances per 60. What added to those defensive challenges was the fact they had the third-lowest shot-share, meaning they spent more time defending than attacking. It's what made Knight and teaming up to give the club the 17th-best team save percentage in 5-on-5 so crucial. Otherwise, they would've been under water.
Getting a new contract done for Bedard, who is a pending restricted free agent, will be the No. 1 priority. But another area of focus is the defense. The seven defensemen who are under contract for next season are all younger than 24. It's possible the Blackhawks could seek to add some veterans, or elect to let that group continue to develop.. He's entering the final season of a deal worth $5 million annually, and hasn't scored more than 20 goals and 40 points since 2021-22.
Rebuilding teams use the 80-point mark in the standings as a barometer. That could be the path for the Blackhawks next season, with anything better than that being a nice bonus.
The Blue Jackets started early in their quest to improve after narrowly missing the playoffs last season. And GM Don Waddell's offseason trade for was a hit. The veteran center had his best statistical season in years, while providing critical depth for Columbus down the middle. playing Norris Trophy-worthy defense. Werenski has given his all to see Columbus be part of the playoff field, and this season was no exception as he played an eye-popping 26:34 in ice time per game.
Columbus was its own worst enemy in the end. There was a good chance the Blue Jackets would secure a wild-card entry to the playoffs, right up until a mid-March slide that turned into an avalanche. Special teams cratered -- with the power play taking a stunning dip below 10% -- and the offense followed suit with a dive to 32nd overall . to injuries in late March gave the Blue Jackets few checking line options, and made them anemic against a good forecheck. One game after another, Columbus watched its playoff opportunity slip away.
Columbus has a swath of pending UFAs who could all make a case for coming back. Coyle was a standout in his first season with the Blue Jackets, captain Once Waddell decides who to keep or let walk, he can focus on fixing what ultimately derailed Columbus' postseason quest. The Blue Jackets have talent; what they need is more reliable depth to complement it. Targeting physical skaters to give Columbus an advantage in its bottom six would go a long way.
was unremarkable behind Greaves, and it has felt for years like the veteran netminder could use a change of scenery. This seems like the right time for Columbus to bring in a goalie who can work more in tandem with Greaves and salvage a few more victories for the Blue Jackets than Merzlikins did.
The Blue Jackets are a playoff-caliber team that needs tweaking. If Waddell can fine-tune the roster with his offseason moves, Columbus can compete with most teams in the Metro for a long-overdue postseason appearance.
Detroit was exciting out of the gate this season, and in excellent position to bust a decade-long playoff drought. The Red Wings were initially electric up front with-- who overachieved in his rookie season as a true contributor. Detroit was a serious contender for first place in the Atlantic Division going into the Olympic break, and ended this season with its highest point total since that last playoff appearance in 2016.
The Red Wings blew it. Not just once, but repeatedly. Detroit held a postseason slot for the majority of this season. Then, its breakdown in March completely snuffed out those hopes. Detroit was the league's fourth-worst team that month, going 5-7-2 while losing significant ground in the standings to surging teams in Boston, Ottawa and Buffalo. The Red Wings' offense became unreliable -- it ranked 29th in 5-on-5 scoring -- and the dwindling attention to defensive details resulted in a pileup of blown leads, including in a loss to New Jersey with two games remaining that eliminated Detroit from the playoffs. It all felt like more of the same from the Red Wings -- especially to their fan base, which booed their skaters off the ice following that defeat against the Devils. There were injuries Detroit had to weather in the back half of the season, but given where the Red Wings were in late February, it's a stunning disappointment that they fell out of a postseason spot. And, adding insult to injury, it was Detroit's division rival Buffalo that passed the torch of league's longest playoff drought onto the Red Wings at 10 seasons.
was regularly producing at 5-on-5. Seeking out some fresh depth on the free agent market or via trade is something GM Steve Yzerman hasn't done enough of, and it has hurt Detroit time and again. -- Yzerman will have to ponder in his attempt to get Detroit over the hump. Frankly, the Red Wings can't afford to keep running it back and hoping for different results. They have prospects on the way and skaters such as Finnie are already making a mark, but Detroit needs to look outside itself for answers. Coach Todd McLellan has shown he can pull something special out of this team -- even he acknowledged though that the Red Wings' mental toughness dipped post-Olympics along with their resiliency. That alone necessitates change. Time will tell how Yzerman proceeds in fixing the issues.
Detroit can and should push toward the postseason again. If it can't get into the mix and stay there, it will spell major turnover for the team this time next year.
The Panthers again put themselves in a strong position this spring -- only this time, it's with good odds for a high selection in the upcoming NHL draft. Their first-rounder was conditionally traded to the Blackhawks as part of the Seth Jones swap, but it is top-10 protected. That's about all the silver lining to find in a dissatisfying season for the back-to-back Stanley Cup champions. There were some small victories in 2025-26. Florida's penalty kill ranked in the top 10 in the league for much of the season, and to see pushing 40 while still producing over a point per game is a good sign that he has plenty left in the tank to guide Florida on another potential run. And, for the first time in three years, there's a long summer ahead for the Panthers to heal, rest and recalibrate.
was sidelined to open the season while recovering from surgery. That took two of Florida's best skaters immediately out of the mix. turned in the worst statistical season of his career. Florida finished top-five in goals against, and its power play ranked 20th. were average compared to seasons past at generating offense, leaving the Panthers to finish 20th in scoring. All around, Florida looked like a shadow of their Cup-winning selves.
The core of this team is intact and locked-in long term. There is talent throughout the lineup. What Florida must do now is get healthy. Having Barkov and Tkachuk back playing elite-level hockey is crucial. Then there's the matter of goaltending. Bobrovsky is a pending UFA, and showed every part of his 37 years in 2025-26. Will Florida recommit to the goalie who has been integral to its Stanley Cup runs? Do the Panthers key on adding another veteran and lean more heavily on 27-year-old Danil Tarasov? That decision could define the Panthers for years to come., whom Florida should want to retain well into the future. But mostly, GM Bill Zito can focus on the upcoming draft, where the Panthers have a chance of an excellent first-round pick .
Florida's next phase hinges in large part on the goalie question. If the Panthers can answer it correctly, they should be back to terrorizing the Atlantic Division with a roster of healthy players to carry them through.
A five-game winning streak from mid-to-late March changed quite a bit for the Predators. It initially appeared they were going to miss the playoffs again, until that streak -- coupled with the fact that other teams have struggled to hold a firm grip in the Western Conference wild-card race -- presented an opportunity for the Predators. It's why they came into the final week of the regular season challenging for a playoff spot.
will finish at least 20 points better than last season, while also playing his usual version of excellent two-way play.
Some of the items that plagued them last season were present this season as well. There was an overreliance on their veterans at times; eight of their top 10 in points are older than 30. Another item that carried over was how they struggled to attain consistency to start the season. A four-game losing streak in mid-October was followed by a separate three-game skid to end that month. They lost five games in early November before having another three-game slide later that month. Goaltender was up and down, and he is on track to finish his second straight season with a save percentage under .900 after being over that mark for the previous eight.
They'll also need to figure out the best way to use their cap space, and all of that draft capital. Finally, it's a matter of determining if all those moving parts can eventually align to help the Predators figure out what their identity will be for next season.
Depending upon how all the offseason shuffling goes, they should be right back in the mix fighting for a playoff spot.
when he scored the gold-medal winning goal for Team USA at the 2026 Olympic Games. But before that, Hughes was humming for the Devils. Granted, he struggled to stay off IR early after a '. The Devils also showed a knack for closing out opponents: When entering the third period with a lead, they were a perfect 24-0-0. And hey -- getting out from under the weight of
The Devils' offensive woes never truly subsided after a relatively strong start; they were top-10 in league scoring into mid-November, but their stats plummeted from there and they finished averaging fewer than three goals. That simply wasn't good enough even with a relatively strong defensive game to their credit .
and others also contributed to the inconsistencies, and forced coach Sheldon Keefe to put together a lineup that was rarely at its strongest level. That is perhaps the most disappointing part of New Jersey's season -- the 'what could have been' of it all. New Jersey is too talented not to be in the playoffs. It made sense that GM Tom Fitzgerald was let go, when it feels as if the Devils need a refresh.
Finding a replacement for Fitzgerald will be the Devils' first priority. Fitzgerald is the one who hired Keefe two years ago, and whether he'll stay on behind the bench could be a decision for the incoming GM. After that, New Jersey has to quickly put the 2025-26 season behind it and strike back as a postseason contender. There are players in their prime -- Hughes, Hischier, and more -- that the Devils must use to win now. New Jersey also has good complementary players -- Glass was a particular standout this season -- and newcomer New Jersey is somewhat lacking in projected cap space, and holds only two picks in the first two rounds of the upcoming draft. The answers probably will have to come from within.
New Jersey has to be a playoff team. The organization has invested in a core that can contend in the present, and every decision made from now until October should reflect that goal.
It's notable that the Islanders went from winning the NHL draft lottery and drafting at No. 1 to being a legitimate playoff contender in less than a year. But that's the sort of effect a phenom such as When New York drafted Schaefer in June, it couldn't have anticipated he'd transition so easily to the professional game. The Islanders were solid defensively across the board, giving up the sixth-fewest goals against per game. -- who again eclipsed the 30-goal mark. The Islanders might have saved the best for last though, plucking Pete DeBoer as their new coach to try to ensure next season doesn't end the same way.
It's old news by now: The Islanders simply didn't score enough. Their 25th-ranked offense averaged fewer than three goals, and the Islanders' lacked enough depth -- with only three skaters total scoring 20 times or more -- to get those timely markers when it counted. That New York also had the league's third-worst power play was an unsurprising carry-over from their other offensive woes. The Islanders made a mess out of too many blown leads and a general inconsistency that put too much pressure on Sorokin and the team's defense. New York's system under ex-coach Patrick Roy clearly wasn't bringing out the best of the lineup -- the Isles were playing slow, lifeless hockey by the time Roy was fired. And even all of DeBoer's past experience couldn't immediately undo eight months of ups and downs.
Do the Islanders have enough elite talent to truly begin opening their window as a Cup contender? It's a fair question. When healthy, New York has players such as Barzal, Horvat, Sorokin and even Schaefer who could be classified as top tier. But there's a significant drop-off from there.
has been a critical part of the Islanders in recent seasons, but the front office must decide if it's worth another contract for the 35-year-old. And will GM Mathieu Darche look at fast-tracking the Islanders' retool given how aggressively he chased DeBoer with only four games left in the season? If that's the case, then New York needs to get younger, quicker and more skilled. The good thing for the Islanders is their coach is already in place -- now it's time to let DeBoer make this club his own.
There is a quick path to contention, so as to maximize the three years DeBoer and Darche are both signed for. DeBoer has a winning pedigree and with the right moves by Darche, he could have the Islanders punching their way to a postseason berth next spring.
1st, 1st , 2nd , 3rd, 3rd , 3rd , 3rd , 5th, 6th, 6th , 7th to support the next wave of talent. New York can also hang its hat on a late surge to the end of the season that showed its potential, plus a strong power play that was among the best in the league all season.
New York got too caught up in the short term, and too reliant on its aging core, and it was enough to just insert a new coach to quickly see a change. It was clear from the beginning that home ice was going to be a problem -- the Rangers lost their first seven games at Madison Square Garden, and when they were eliminated from the postseason had only nine total victories in their own barn.
and Fox were their biggest losses, and the Rangers' patchwork efforts to replace them never held much water. By the time was traded to the Los Angeles Kings before the Olympic break, it was apparent that this season was too far gone for the Rangers to recover, but their focus now was on what's next.
It starts at the draft for New York. The Rangers have seven picks in the first three rounds -- including two in the first -- and there's no time like the present to embrace a youth movement. That said, further development of their own young skaters is also key.
showed real promise in his rookie season -- particularly through March and April -- and seeing him earn top-line playing time is an excellent sign. Having Kartye, Sykora and Laba keep improving is also fundamental to New York's improvement. The Rangers are fortunate to have cap space available to no major internal negotiations to handle, meaning they can explore the free agent market to fill in the gaps.
The best thing New York can do is build off the momentum it generated in the final six weeks of the regular season. The Rangers played more freely and with real energy, which helped them collect wins. It might not translate into an immediate return to the postseason, but New York should at least be in the mix next spring.. The 2024-25 season showed that he could handle the demands of being a top-line center as an 18-year-old. This season proved that he's actually one of the best players in the NHL, who But what did this season mean for the Sharks' long-term goals? Reaching the 80-point mark has become a sign that a rebuild is trending upward. This was the first time since the 2018-19 season that the Sharks finished with more than 80 points, entering the final week of the regular season still in the fight for a playoff spot.
Let's go back to Celebrini. He entered the final week of the season with 110 points. That's the same amount that. So, getting more secondary and tertiary support from their lineup was a challenge at times this season. Much of that comes back to how they had a handful of players younger than 23 in their lineup. It's the sort of challenge that was expected as part of their bigger-picture plans, but it came more into focus during their surprising push for a playoff spot.
. GM Mike Grier and his staff will be planning for second contracts for these players in the coming years. Similar to what the league has seen with Anaheim and Utah this season, it's possible San Jose could be the next upstart to challenge for a playoff spot.
Everything they did before March 4. Why March 4? Because that was the day the Kraken were in the second and final Western Conference wild-card spot. The Kraken's profile was that of a team that struggled to score goals and generate consistent scoring chances but had a solid goaltending and defensive structure. That's how they were able to cobble together a minus-3 goal differential. It made them accustomed to playing in tight games, with the notion that some teams have used that roadmap to reach the playoffs in seasons past.
Everything they've done since March 4. The Kraken went from being in playoff position to missing the postseason for a fourth straight season. They lost four straight, and then eight of their next 10 games. In total, they went 5-12-7 from March 4 through April 11, earning 12 out of a possible 38 points. Their goal differential fell to minus-31, which played a significant role in the Kraken ultimately being eliminated from playoff contention in the final days of the season.
The Kraken have many needs to fill, given that they finished in the bottom 10 of scoring and goals allowed. Could they also move on from players who have been there since their first season? Or even those who were expected to play a role in the future?? He's also a UFA who could be in line for a major payday having scored more than 28 goals through 75 games this season.
This team is close to returning to the playoffs for the second time in franchise history, but GM Jason Botterill must make the right moves this summer to give them the best chance to do so.
Numerous items contributed to the Blues having one of the best post-Olympic break records entering the final full week of the regular season. But primary among them was their goaltending, and more specifically, The 25-year-old showed earlier in the season he could offer the team consistency in net. That became more evident throughout March when he won six of his nine starts, had a 1.73 GAA and .945 save percentage. Hofer gave the team more starts, and posted a 1.62 GAA and a .921 save percentage in six starts, leading to the Blues having the top team save percentage after the Olympic break.
Several items compounded into one, which led to the Blues missing the playoffs after sneaking in last season. It started with a seven-game losing streak spread across late October and early November. That was amplified by the Blues' struggles to score goals, when one of their perceived strengths was scoring depth, with eight players who scored 10 or more goals last season. Turning into a bottom-five team in goals per game added to the challenges they faced within their defensive structure and goaltending, and those early struggles were too much to overcome in the spring.
How much of the Blues' current core should remain in place? They used the trade deadline to move on from then-captain Then there's Binnington. His post-Olympic break efforts helped the Blues make a late push for a wild-card spot. But Hofer receiving the majority of the starts creates questions about what the Blues could do with the veteran, who is entering the final year of his contract in 2026-27.
Maybe it's somewhere between a rebuild and a retool, given that the Blues didn't end up missing the playoffs by too much this season.
into more of an opportunity than he might have received if Toronto were a better team. There aren't many strong prospects in the Leafs' system, so knowing Cowan can hold his own already at the NHL level is positive. For once, the Leafs' fall potentially has some benefits -- they are entering an offseason without major cap constraints after being traders at the deadline, and they should be in the running to land a high pick in the upcoming draft to start restocking their bare cupboards .
's absence was even more devastating to Toronto -- both offensively and defensively -- than predicted. The Leafs' high-octane offense was a thing of the past, even with admirable efforts from Toronto was abysmal defensively in the second year under head coach Craig Berube, and their goaltending was unreliable. It was of little surprise that GM Brad Treliving didn't survive the season. Oh, and their first-round pick belongs to Boston unless it lands in the top five, making the final week of the season -- and the draft lottery on May 5 -- extra nerve-racking.
One question is clearly most vital: Who will replace Treliving? Toronto's entire next decade could hang in the balance. Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment CEO Keith Pelley knows that whom he hires as Toronto's next GM -- potentially along with a new president of hockey operations -- will define his tenure with the company. Whomever comes on board will then decide on a vision for where the Leafs go from here: Is that a rebuild, a retool, or another new word NHL teams haven't yet used? Does Berube stay or go? Which players will be a part of the team's new direction -- particularly as trade rumors already are churning out possible destinations for Matthews? And amid all of that, the Leafs have to make the best decision possible if they do retain a top-five pick. They are woefully short on top prospects, and no matter where Toronto is headed, it needs all the help it can get to climb back into contention.
It's too early to say what the Leafs can reasonably accomplish next season. There are too many variables with the front office in a state of flux.
Trading their most valuable player en route to having one of the worst seasons in franchise history. Moving on from Couple that with the fact they'll finish with the NHL's worst record and the strongest odds to win the draft lottery, and they are clearly in position to jump-start their rebuild.
Think about the characteristics that come with being the worst team in the NHL. The Canucks displayed many, if not all of them. They were among the bottom 10 in the NHL in shot-share, scoring chances per 60, high-danger scoring chances per 60 and shots per 60. Their underlying defensive metrics were also challenging, as they were in the bottom 10 in terms of most shots allowed per 60, most scoring chances allowed per 60 and most high-danger chances allowed per 60. Put it all together and as of April 13, the Canucks were 30th in goals per game , 32nd in goals against per game and their minus-96 goal differential was 35 clear of second-worst mark in the league.
that they can let walk in free agency. But beyond that, hitting a full-on reset could prove challenging. The Canucks have seven players under contract for next season who will have more than three years left on their current deals. It's a group that includes It's possible that the Canucks could seek to sign players they believe can address some of their short-term needs, with the idea they could move on from them ahead of the 2026-27 trade deadline to add to their future draft capital.
Spencer Carbery has been the ideal coach for this squad in every phase Washington has trudged through the last few seasons. The Capitals acknowledge now that they are entering a new era, but there are a number of players already in the fold who will be integral to a smooth transition back toward being the President's Trophy winners they were only three seasons ago.
was injured six games into the season and was sidelined post-surgery until February. Wilson and Leonard also missed enough time that it significantly impacted the Capitals' chemistry. Washington didn't have the depth to make up for those critical absences, which showed up in its middling power-play numbers and may have been the determining factor in a season that could have gone another direction. The Capitals' defensive habits were also a consistent problem, with odd-man rushes and blown coverages becoming all too frequent a reason for losing out on two points. GM Chris Patrick signaled to the entire hockey world that the Capitals were embracing their next chapter when he traded defenseman
First and foremost, Ovechkin will decide on his future. Does he come back for one more season or call it a career? Washington's captain doesn't plan to make a call until the season is complete. That has a ripple effect on what Patrick can do for the Capitals. They have that young core ready to take on increased responsibilities, but if Washington wants to take advantage of its prime seasons, the team has to start now by surrounding that group with the right veterans who can provide production but also leadership . It doesn't feel like Washington has many holes to patch, per se; it's more about making decisions aligned with whatever timeline Patrick has in mind for building Washington back into a championship team. Does that mean holding on to veteran UFAs like
The way Washington finished the season -- with good results from its young players providing playoff hope until the bitter end -- there's no reason the Capitals shouldn't be aiming for the postseason again next season. If Dubois and Wilson can stay healthy -- and Patrick can add some depth scoring should Ovechkin retire -- Washington should have most of what it needs for a quick turnaround.
The Jets went from being what appeared to be a lottery team to coming within four points of the final wild-card spot with five games left. Their push to reach the playoffs for what would have been a fourth straight season fell short. But the argument could be had that they might not be that far off from returning to the playoffs once they address a few of their concerns.
brought a gold medal home from the Olympics, and had another season with 30 or more goals, the eighth of his career.
in late November while he recovered from a knee procedure brought quite a bit into focus for the Jets. Namely, this is a team that relies too heavily on its star players. Hellebuyck, the reigning Hart Trophy and three-time Vezina Trophy winner, helped mask their defensive deficiencies. Connor, Scheifele and Vilardi were tasked with trying to generate goals for a team that was in the bottom 10 in scoring chances per 60, shots per 60, high-danger scoring chances per 60 and goals per game.
The mission is clear for the Jets' front office: finding complementary players who can take some of the scoring burden off of Winnipeg's stars. Right now, the Jets have seven players with less than two years remaining on their contracts after this season, with
The Jets should be back in the mix pushing for a playoff spot -- provided they insulate their core with a more consistent supporting cast.
What's next for SF's Presidio Trust after 6 board members were fired?
Chicago-Blackhawks St-Louis-Blues New-York-Rangers New-Jersey-Devils Columbus-Blue-Jackets San-Jose-Sharks Florida-Panthers Detroit-Red-Wings New-York-Islanders Toronto-Maple-Leafs Washington-Capitals Vancouver-Canucks Nhl Nashville-Predators Calgary-Flames Seattle-Kraken Winnipeg-Jets 18883798
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
2026 Food City 500 - Final Leaderboard - April 12, 2026View 2026 Food City 500 race, qualifier and practice leaderboards, live streams, bonus cameras, videos and odds information.
Read more »
NBA playoffs 2026: Previewing all 20 teams still vying for the titleEverything you need to know for the Thunder, Pistons, Spurs, Celtics and 16 other teams chasing the 2026 NBA title.
Read more »
Two Teams It's Time to Sound the Alarm On in 2026These two teams are struggling, and it may be time to worry for their fanbases.
Read more »
3 Teams That Could Draft Rueben Bain Jr. in the 2026 NFL DraftWhich teams could take Miami Hurricanes superstar Rueben Bain Jr. in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft?
Read more »
2026 NFL Draft: Which Teams Are Some of the Top Prospects Visiting?Where will the top prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft land? Here's a look at where some of them have visited, which could be a hint as to where they'll land.
Read more »
2026 MLB Power Rankings: What Are The Injuries To Watch For All 30 Teams?Our latest MLB power rankings and how injuries have already affected every team so far.
Read more »