In the wake of the start of the NHL’s free agency period, some teams look like playoff locks. But not every playoff team last season will safely make it again.
The five teams below are still relatively good teams, and one of them has actually been one of the league’s most improved teams this off-season. But for one reason or another, which we’ll explore, they could still wind up on the outside of the post-season picture looking in.
Here, in no particular order, are the teams this writer suspects may have to squeak into a wild-card spot or could miss the playoffs altogether.
New York Islanders
Playing under coach Patrick Roy for much of the 2023-24 season, the Islanders put up a decent enough fight and made the playoffs by the skin of their teeth. But a quick playoff exit at the hands of the Carolina Hurricanes underscored the reality that the Islanders are at best a fringe playoff squad with little room for error.
An off-season that’s only brought winger Anthony Duclair to the Islanders so far tells you all you need to know about the closing competitive window with this Islanders team.
GM Lou Lamoriello did his utmost to keep the team together for the 2024-25 campaign, but in an improving Metropolitan division, the Isles could be leapfrogged by the Washington Capitals, Pittsburgh Penguins and/or Philadelphia Flyers. While that would be a disaster for the Islanders, the truth is they’re a moderate team at best. The playoffs could be a bridge too far.
Related: NHL Free Agent Frenzy 2024: Tracker, Top 50 Ranking, Analysis
Los Angeles Kings
Kings GM Rob Blake made it obvious this off-season – his team needed to be harder to play against. So he went out and landed forwards Warren Foegele and Tanner Jeannot, defensemen Joel Edmundson and Kyle Burroughs and goalie Darcy Kuemper.
Does that strike fear into the hearts of L.A.’s Pacific division opponents? We think not.
The Kings’ top players aren’t superstars – sorry, Drew Doughty, but you’re no longer that guy – which could come back to bite them as they try to fend off the Edmonton Oilers, Vegas Golden Knights and Vancouver Canucks to secure a playoff spot next year. They could be in a wild-card battle with the Seattle Kraken near season’s end.
The pressure on the Kings is immense, and nothing less than a lengthy playoff run could spare their GM’s job.
Related: NHL Free Agency: Grading 10 Teams for Their Off-Season Actions – or Lack Thereof
Winnipeg Jets
The Jets were a pretty strong team for much of this past season, but once again, they underperformed in the playoffs. Their roster has taken a hit this summer, losing veterans Sean Monahan, Tyler Toffoli, Brenden Dillon and Laurent Brossoit. Not much came back in return for those departing players, and now, Winnipeg must try to improve from within.
In the Central division, the Jets have to contend with strong competitors in the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche, as well as the vastly improved Utah Hockey Club and the Nashville Predators. All of a sudden, a playoff spot doesn’t seem nearly so secure for Winnipeg, does it?
The Jets have many bright spots to be happy about, and there’s every chance they go out next season and lock up a playoff spot with little issue. But there’s no assurance they’ll be a solid team – let alone a true Cup contender.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Few teams made bigger moves than the Lightning. They parted ways with captain Steven Stamkos, star defenseman Mikhail Sergachev and energy role player Tanner Jeannot.
They signed proven scorer Jake Guentzel and traded for blueliner J.J. Moser and Ryan McDonagh. Still, there’s a nagging sense here that the Bolts will be a wild-card team at best this coming year. Their overall depth has taken a hit, and any serious injuries could destroy their playoff aspirations.
Tampa Bay GM Julien BriseBois has made calculated gambles with his off-season moves, but there’s no question the Lightning are not what they were at their peak. We’ll see if that means they miss out on the post-season, but as of early July, the possibility of the Bolts missing the playoffs was very real.
Related: Opinion: It’s Abundantly Clear the Lightning Had No Intention of Re-Signing Steven Stamkos
Washington Capitals
The Capitals stumbled into the playoffs and were disposed of with relative ease by the New York Rangers – a sobering finish that should’ve led to a full-on rebuild.
Instead, Washington GM Brian MacLellan doubled down on his group, adding Pierre-Luc Dubois, Andrew Mangiapane, Logan Thompson and Jakob Chychrun. But that shopping spree hasn’t put the Capitals into an elite stratosphere. They’re definitely an improved team, arguably one of the NHL’s most improved clubs on paper, but is it enough?
The Capitals still need many things to go right for them to make it back into the playoffs, and MacLellan’s moves could amount to little in the way of positive results. Washington will likely be a team near or in a wild-card position, and any injuries could be the difference between making and missing the playoffs.
They’re technically a better team, but Capitals fans should know by now that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re bound for glory. And in a worst-case scenario, they could be out of the playoffs altogether.
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News Summary:
- Five NHL Playoff Teams In 2024 That Are at Risk of Missing Out In 2025
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