In both conferences, the 2024-25 Stanley Cup playoff race came down to the wire, with the Columbus Blue Jackets missing the cut by two points, and the Calgary Flames tying but losing out via the tiebreaker. Outside of those two, there are a handful of teams that have a legitimate chance to return to the postseason this upcoming season, but the uphill climb isn’t expected to get any easier.
While not entirely impossible (looking at you, 2024-25 Flames), there are a handful of teams we can rule out of the conversation. The Chicago Blackhawks, San Jose Sharks, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Boston Bruins are by no means ruled out of the playoff conversation already, but their odds are nearly insurmountable.
Two of the most popular choices for returning postseason squads come from the Metropolitan Division. Given that it’s hard to expect the Washington Capitals to replicate last season’s unprecedented performance, and the fact that the New Jersey Devils’ competitiveness lies on the shoulders of the health status of Jack Hughes, the Blue Jackets, and the New York Rangers could return to the Stanley Cup playoffs in 2025-26.
Columbus has a major question mark between the pipes, and doesn’t have a true star forward, though they do have a star defenseman in Zach Werenski. Despite a disappointing 2024-25 season, the Rangers are only one year removed from reaching the Eastern Conference Final. They have retooled their roster and hired a new head coach during the offseason.
Although the Flames only missed by a tiebreaker last season, the Utah Mammoth have one of the strongest claims in the West this season. Unfortunately, they play in a difficult Central Division. It’s difficult to pencil in the Mammoth for a top-three spot in the division for 2025-26, but a Wild Card spot shouldn’t be out of the question.
This list is not exhaustive; the Detroit Red Wings, Buffalo Sabres, Philadelphia Flyers, Anaheim Ducks, Nashville Predators, and Vancouver Canucks have all expressed their desire to return to the postseason in 2025-26. Still, there are only so many postseason spots to earn, and none of last year’s participants are eager to give up their postseason positioning from this past season. Now it’s your time to choose: which non-playoff team from last season, if any, has the strongest chance for a playoff spot for the upcoming season?
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the flyers
Isles
I think Utah may be the best of that group, but they’re in a really strong division, so I went with Columbus.
5 teams made it to the dance from the Atlantic and the Central last season, maybe 5 make it to the dance from the Central again next season!
Getting ahead of those 5 in the Central won’t be easy.
I’m not falling for this one again this year. I’ve said the Sabres for like 4 years in a row and got burned every year so I’ll say Rockford.
People have more faith in Detroit…….or is it just more fans……and optimistic ones at that!
I guarantee the Red Wings are better than your tean
One and the same, my friend!
im sorry i didnt mean it
and that was before they signed Hamonic! They must be gushing with optimism now.
Too early to tell. Will be a lot clearer after next season’s trade deadline.
It’ll be even clearer when the playoffs start haha
The Red Wings? LOL!!!!!!!
The only reason one or two of these teams might make the playoffs is because all 16 are unlikely to return and someone has to take their place.
Hawks and CBJ maybe, if their young players take a big step. BUF if they get elite goaltending somehow.
The Blackhawks aren’t even close
We went from being laughed off the rink against the Sens in 07 to being the Cup Final in 08.
Young teams CAN grow quickly. Not saying they will, but the ceiling is there.
If Bedard, Nazar, Levshunov, Rinzel, etc. take a big step, they add a few more good young players and Knight plays well, etc.
The Pens had offensive powerhouses in Crosby and Malkin, with Staal growing into his role at 3C. Also, they weren’t nearly as green on the backend as Chicago. The Hawks don’t have anyone like Gonchar, and only have one D (Murphy) would fit into the vet role like Orpik/Eaton/Scud/Gill did to support the youth.
The Hawks need a miracle to sniff the playoffs this season.
Wish 2 options were available because besides Utah I think Detroit is going to bloom. Prove me wrong kids!
Would bet my money on the Rangers as they have Shesty and a new coach.
I can see LA dropping out and being replaced by another western team.
I agree with the top 5 vote getters in this order- NYR, CBJ, VAN, UTA, DET