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 out and four other teams made the playoffs after missing a year earlier.
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 year, 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
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 their 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.
Washington Capitals
The Capitals 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 Washington deal with a long-term injury to Rasmus Sandin.
San Jose Sharks
The Sharks missed the playoffs by four points to extend their drought to seven seasons. But Macklin Celebrini is on the rise, the Sharks added big veterans on defense and 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 Kings do seem like they could slip.
New Jersey Devils
New general manager Sunny Mehta added scoring on the wing with 33-goal scorer Mantha and Luke Evangelista. Versatile forwards Evan Rodrigues and Jesper Boqvist came back in the Markstrom trade. Jack Hughes will need to stay healthy and will the goaltending be strong enough?
Toronto Maple Leafs
Bobrovsky and 22-goal defenseman Darren Raddysh were added, and new 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 to watch
Nashville Predators: They missed the playoffs by four points. New GM Chris MacFarland traded for some of his former Avalanche players, plus Mavrik Bourque. They need better seasons from Juuse Saros and Jonathan Marchessault.
St. Louis Blues: They also finished four points out of a spot. They got steady Connor McMichael back in the Kyrou trade, and Mason MacTavish could benefit from new surroundings.
New York Islanders: They get a full season from coach Peter DeBoer, a late-season hire. Matthew Schaefer showed he's a special player.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Which NHL teams could make postseason after missing last season?
