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NHL Teams Face Longest Playoff Droughts
1 Jan
Summary
- Buffalo Sabres have not made playoffs since 2011.
- Several NHL teams haven't seen postseason action since 2019-20.
- Young talent offers hope for Sharks and Ducks.
As of January 1, 2026, the Buffalo Sabres are mired in the longest active Stanley Cup playoff drought in the NHL, having last competed in the postseason in 2011. This 15-year absence is second only to the New York Jets in North American professional sports. The Sabres are currently on a 10-game winning streak, placing them in a wild-card spot, but their history raises questions about sustaining this pace.
Several other franchises are also grappling with extended playoff droughts. The Utah/Arizona Coyotes, Columbus Blue Jackets, Chicago Blackhawks, and Philadelphia Flyers have all missed the postseason since the 2019-20 season. Among these, the Flyers reached the second round that year. Looking ahead, the San Jose Sharks and Anaheim Ducks, despite recent struggles, are showing promise thanks to top draft picks like Macklin Celebrini and Leo Carlsson, respectively.
The Detroit Red Wings, whose playoff drought began in 2016, are also showing signs of resurgence under GM Steve Yzerman, potentially positioning them to end their nine-year streak. While the San Jose Sharks and Anaheim Ducks haven't made the playoffs in nearly eight years, their influx of young talent offers optimism for the future, with some projections suggesting playoff contention as early as the 2025-26 season.
