As the NHL gears up for the 2024/25 season, the excitement and anticipation are palpable across the league. The Florida Panthers will head into their October curtain raiser against the Boston Bruins as the reigning champions after knocking off Connor McDavid’s Edmonton Oilers to claim the Stanley Cup for the first time in history last term. However, it is the team that they vanquished earlier this year that head into the new campaign as favorites, with the mercurial McDavid and Leon Draisaitl leading the charge.
But while those two are at the top of the pile, spare a thought for these two teams who will head into the 2024/25 season with the longest postseason droughts of anyone in the league.
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres hold the unenviable record for the longest current postseason drought in the NHL, having missed the playoffs for 13 consecutive seasons. Over the years, the New York State outfit has attempted various rebuild strategies, often with little success, while a revolving door of coaches and general managers has further compounded their struggles. However, there’s a glimmer of hope on the horizon for Sabres fans. After finishing just seven points off of a wildcard spot last term, there is hope that a brighter future is just around the corner, and the latest NHL betting odds currently make them a +5000 outsider for the championship next season. The team has made significant changes over the last year, including the acquisition of promising young talents through the draft. Players like Owen Power and Jack Quinn represent a new core that could potentially lead the franchise back to the playoffs for the first time since a 4-3 series defeat in the first round of the 2011 postseason. Should they qualify this term, they will then aim to end another streak, progressing in the playoffs for the first time since 2007.
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings is a storied franchise with a rich history of success, but they currently find themselves amid an eight-season playoff drought. For a team that once set the standard for excellence in the NHL, this dry spell has been particularly challenging for its loyal fanbase. The Red Wings were the dominant force on the rink at the turn of the millennium, winning the Stanley Cup in back-to-back seasons in 1997 and 1998, before adding further crowns in 2002 and 2008. Despite their recent woes, the Motor City outfit has shown signs of life in recent years. Under the leadership of General Manager Steve Yzerman, they have been methodically rebuilding their roster with an eye toward the future. This strategy has included a focus on drafting and developing young talent, such as Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond, who are expected to play pivotal roles in the team’s resurgence. The addition of Chicago Blackhawks legend Patrick Kane has added some much-needed star power and experience to the side, and he will be aiming to lead his side to the playoffs next season at the ripe old age of 35.
