In the high-stakes world of the NHL, making the playoffs is everything. With 32 franchises battling for just 16 coveted spots each season, the margin for error is razor-thin. Yet despite the league’s parity, some teams seem perpetually stuck on the outside looking in, their fans’ Stanley Cup dreams deferred year after agonizing year. Today, we shine a spotlight on the teams mired in the longest postseason droughts, both active and all-time.
The Buffalo Sabres’ Playoff Misery
No team knows postseason futility quite like the Buffalo Sabres. This once-proud franchise has not tasted playoff hockey since 2011, a staggering 13-season drought that now stands alone as the longest in NHL history. To put that in perspective, the last time the Sabres suited up for a playoff game:
- Lindy Ruff was their head coach (he’s since returned in 2024 after 7 other coaching changes)
- Ryan Miller was their starting goalie (he retired in 2021)
- Beyoncé had just released her 4th studio album (she’s now on her 9th)
The Sabres have become a cautionary tale of mismanagement and squandered potential. Despite rostering elite talents like Jack Eichel and Rasmus Dahlin over the years, the team has consistently found ways to underachieve. Constant front office turnover and ill-advised trades have left the franchise rudderless, grasping for an identity. As the playoff drought reaches its teenage years, long-suffering Sabres fans are left to wonder: when will the suffering end?
Detroit’s Downfall
If the Sabres are the face of playoff futility, the Detroit Red Wings are the once-shining example of excellence laid low. For a staggering 25 straight seasons from 1991-2016, the Red Wings were postseason mainstays, winning 4 Stanley Cups and becoming a model NHL franchise. But the bill for all that success finally came due, as an aging core gave way to a painful rebuild. Detroit has now missed the playoffs for 8 straight seasons, tied for the 2nd-longest active drought.
Unlike Buffalo, there are signs of hope in the Motor City. GM Steve Yzerman, the architect of Tampa Bay’s recent juggernaut, has quietly stockpiled top picks and promising prospects. Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond look like future superstars. Simon Edvinsson and Marco Kasper could make an impact soon. There’s finally a light at the end of the tunnel for the Red Wings – the only question is how much longer the playoff train will take to arrive.
Canada’s Capital of Disappointment
When you think of Canada’s capital, what springs to mind? Majestic Parliament Hill? The world-class museums? Or the Ottawa Senators and their 7-year playoff drought, tops among Canadian teams? Despite a surprise run to the 2017 Eastern Conference Finals, the ensuing half-decade has been bleak in the nation’s capital. A series of dreadful finishes, high-profile departures (Mark Stone, Erik Karlsson), and a penny-pinching owner have sapped fan enthusiasm. The 2022-23 Senators showed promise with a late-season surge, but fell just short of the playoffs once again.
Still, there’s undeniable talent here. Brady Tkachuk is a heart-and-soul leader. Tim Stützle oozes game-breaking skill. Jake Sanderson looks like a future Norris candidate. If they can get decent goaltending and ownership is willing to spend, the Sens have the potential for a quick turnaround. But after 7 years in the wilderness, fans could be forgiven for keeping expectations low.
California Dreamin’
The Anaheim Ducks (6 years) and San Jose Sharks (5 years) round out the top 5 active playoff droughts, as the sun sets on California’s NHL empire. These teams dominated the Pacific for a decade, combining for 4 Stanley Cup Finals appearances from 2003-2017. But age and hefty contracts caught up to both clubs, ushering in bleak rebuilding eras. The Ducks have amassed an enviable prospect pool but seem perpetually a few years away. The Sharks are paying for their dogged “win-now” ethos, as massive deals for declining stars like Erik Karlsson and Brent Burns hamstring the future. The light is dimmer at the end of these tunnels.
Drought Breakers
Not all playoff droughts last forever though. The Florida Panthers (10 seasons, 2001-11) and Edmonton Oilers (10 seasons, 2007-16) prove that with the right mix of luck and savvy management, even the most woebegone franchise can turn things around. The Panthers’ dogged pursuit of talent, along with young stars like Sasha Barkov and Aaron Ekblad finally realizing their potential, fueled a surprise run to the 2022 Presidents’ Trophy. The Oilers made some wise draft picks (Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl) and smart deals to quickly vault from also-ran to contender status.
“Making the playoffs is hard. It’s even harder when you’re trying to do it year after year. It requires a lot of things to go right: Players playing well, staying healthy, getting hot at the right time. When you miss one year, it’s easy for that to snowball as players get frustrated, systems break down, etc. And suddenly you’re in a 5, 6, 10 year drought.”
– Chris Johnston, TSN Senior Hockey Reporter
For fans in Buffalo, Detroit, Ottawa, and elsewhere, these turnaround tales provide a glimmer of hope. No playoff drought lasts forever. With the right mix of patience, astute management, and a sprinkle of good fortune, the most downtrodden franchises can rise from the ashes. Until then, the long-suffering diehards in these cities are left to watch the postseason from afar, wondering if next year will finally be their year.
