The Stanley Cup playoffs are officially over and that means it's the perfect time to start looking ahead to next season, specifically at teams who are looking to end their playoff droughts.
No, we're not talking Stanley Cup droughts right now (Leafs fans, breathe a sigh of relief), but we are talking about postseason appearance droughts and there's another team in the Atlantic Division at the top of that list....more on that later!
No fan ever wants to see their team on this list, but next season is another chance to make the playoffs and compete for a Stanley Cup. Until then, here are the 6 teams with the longest active playoff droughts.
6. New Jersey Devils - 2 seasons
Remember when the Devils were in the Stanley Cup Final? Yeah, it's been tough sledding since, BUT the future is bright with Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, and the 7th overall pick in this year's draft.
5. Los Angeles Kings - 2 seasons
The LA Kings are just 6 years removed from a 5-year playoff run that saw the franchise win two Stanley Cups. Since then, they've had just two playoff appearances in the last 6 seasons, but they do have the second overall pick in the upcoming draft.
4. Anaheim Ducks - 2 seasons
Most of the teams on this list are picking in the top-10 of the draft and the Ducks are no exception as they have the 6th overall pick. That said, this franchise is synonymous with the playoffs. Since 2005, the Ducks have only missed the playoffs four times.
3. Ottawa Senators - 3 seasons
Yes, the Sens' roster turnover since the season they were one win away from making it to the Stanley Cup Final has been incredible, but they are set up well for the future, have three first-round picks in the upcoming draft (including two in the top-5), and 13 picks overall (7 in the first two rounds).
2. Detroit Red Wings - 4 seasons
The Red Wings made the playoffs 25 years in a row and that streak snapped in 2017. They haven't made the playoffs since and it's been weird to see one of the models of consistency in hockey history not playing in the summer.
1. Buffalo Sabres - 9 seasons
There are a lot of Sabres playoff-related droughts that will make their fans sad, so we won't go into them all. We're sorry Buffalo fans. Hopefully next year.
