The 2026 playoff field saw major turnover from 2025 as the Buffalo Sabres ended a record 14-season playoff drought, the Anaheim Ducks returned after seven years, and four other teams made the playoffs after missing out the previous season.
Among the six team that dropped out were the Toronto Maple Leafs, who tumbled after a nine-season playoff run. The Florida Panthers' back-to-back championship run also ended as major injuries kept them out of the playoffs.
A six-team turnover might be a little ambitious this season, but plenty of teams showed improvement during the offseason.
Here's a look at five 2025-26 non-playoff teams that could have a chance to clinch a postseason berth this season:
Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov, left, battles for possession with Carolina Hurricanes forward Skyler Brind'AmourĀ during the second period of a preseason game on Sunday, Sept. 20, at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Fla.
Panthers
The 2024 and 2025 Stanley Cup championship dropped out last season because captain Aleksander Barkov missed the entire season after ACL surgery and Matthew Tkachuk was out until close to the Olympics. Both are available now, which alone helps Florida's chances. The team added Brady Tkachuk and other gritty players. The strength of the goaltending is in question, though, after Sergei Bobrovsky left in free agency and the team traded for Jacob Markstrom.
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Capitals
Washington brought in three-time 30-goal scorers Alex Tuch and Jordan Kyrou, and structured a bonus-laden deal to bring back record-setting goal scorer Alex Ovechkin. Boone Jenner is another solid addition and Vincent Desharnais can help the Capitals deal with a long-term injury to Rasmus Sandin.
Sharks
San Jose missed the playoffs by four points to extend its drought to seven seasons, but Macklin Celebrini is on the rise and the Sharks added big veterans on defense. Mason Marchment brings pesky play to the franchise where his father played. Ivar Stenberg was a solid draft pickup after the team won the second lottery drawing. It's no guarantee the Sharks make it, but the Los Angeles Kings do seem like they could slip.
Devils
New general manager Sunny Mehta added scoring on the wing with 33-goal scorer Mantha and Luke Evangelista, and versatile forwards Evan Rodrigues and Jesper Boqvist came back to the team in the Markstrom trade. Jack Hughes will need to stay healthy to give New Jersey a chance, but the Devils' goaltending may not be strong enough to get the team to the playoffs.
Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Darren Raddysh skates with the puck during the second period of a preseason game against the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday, Sept. 19, at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.
Maple Leafs
Sergei Bobrovsky and 22-goal defenseman Darren Raddysh were added, and new Toronto GM John Chayka rearranged the bottom six forward group. If No. 1 overall pick Gavin McKenna performs as promised, the Maple Leafs' playoff absence could end at one year.
Other teams
Predators: Nashville missed the playoffs by four points last season. New GM Chris MacFarland traded for some of his former Colorado Avalanche players, plus Mavrik Bourque. They need better seasons from Juuse Saros and Jonathan Marchessault to succeed.
Blues: St. Louis also finished four points out of a playoff spot. The Blues got steady Connor McMichael back in the Kyrou trade, and Mason MacTavish could benefit from new surroundings.
Islanders: New York gets a full season from coach Peter DeBoer, a late-season hire. Matthew Schaefer showed he's a special player.
August is often a down period for NHL transactions, and that mostly has been the case this year after a very eventful July.
