The 2026 NHL playoffs are right around the corner, as they will be kicking off on April 18. Almost all of the required teams for the postseason games have qualified, but there are still seven more spots available.
On the other hand, some other teams have maintained their postseason qualification droughts, and here are some of the teams’ active longest droughts in the league.
5 NHL Teams With Longest Ongoing Postseason Droughts
#5 Columbus Blue Jackets
The Columbus Blue Jackets have failed to qualify for the playoffs since 2020. The team has some significant great names, but in previous seasons, these names have simply not clicked.
The Jackets have also had numerous coaching changes, which have not provided them any stability. On top of that, the squad has been derailed by persistent injuries, and the loss of prominent names like Artemi Panarin has harmed the team’s long-term stability.
#4 Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks have also been unable to qualify for the playoffs since 2020. Since the team’s key core combo of Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane parted ways, the team’s long-term stability has gone completely off track.
With some extremely poor defensive strategies and faltering goaltenders, the Blackhawks were unable to restore themselves as one of the NHL’s best teams. They are currently developing their internal core, and this season they are expected to finish last in the Central Division.
#3 San Jose Sharks
The San Jose Sharks are on the verge of continuing their seven-year NHL postseason drought. While the team has not been confirmed to be out of the postseason games this year, they still have one of the NHL’s longest droughts.
They haven’t made the playoffs since 2019, owing primarily to their core team’s age. The squad never considered going for a reset and instead continued competing, resulting in poor netminding and defense.
#2 Detroit Red Wings
This season marks the 10th consecutive year since the Detroit Red Wings’ last playoff appearance. The crew has been having a difficult time as they work through a number of continuing issues.
Former Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman preferred a methodical, draft-based rebuild that took a long time. This caused the franchise to lose hope over numerous seasons, resulting in one of the NHL’s longest droughts.
#1 Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are engaged in an ongoing cycle of restarting structural concerns. The squad has been losing momentum for 14 consecutive seasons, with their last appearance in any postseason games coming in 2011.
The team also has defensive concerns, which have occasionally harmed their effective offense. Specifically, the inconsistency in their vision has resulted in one of the longest NHL playoff droughts in league history.
But that drought is going to break once the playoffs start and the Red Wings will be left with the unwanted record.
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