The NHL offseason is full of possibilities for teams, including the draft and free agency. Here are the keys to success this summer for each team in the league.
The “list of nhl teams” is a list of nhl teams, including their draft and free. The list includes the team’s current standings in the league.
From the domination of the Colorado Avalanche and Florida Panthers, to the goal-scoring prowess of Auston Matthews and Chris Kreider, to fantastic goaltending from Igor Shesterkin, Frederik Andersen, and Jacob Markstrom, the 2021-22 NHL season had plenty of highlights.
However, only one club will be able to lift the Stanley Cup. For the rest, the summer will be a crucial time to replenish for another playoff run, make that big free-agent acquisition to go over the hump, or continue the slow but steady climb back into contention. With 14 clubs officially out of the playoffs, it’s time to assess their most pressing issues as well as potential remedies.
Continue reading to see what went wrong for each eliminated club, as well as an analysis of its most important players this offseason and reasonable expectations for 2022-23. As clubs are officially eliminated from the playoffs, they will be added to this narrative.
Use the links below to navigate through each team’s profile or to jump to your favorite team:
Kristen Shilton wrote the profiles for the Atlantic and Central clubs, while Greg Wyshynski examined the Metro and Pacific teams. Natural Stat Trick, Hockey Reference, and Evolving Hockey are some of the sites where statistics may be found. Spotrac’s projected cap space.
ANA | ARI | BUF | CHI CBJ | DET | MTL | NJ CBJ | DET | MTL | NJ NYI | OTT | PHI | SJ SEA | WPG
Teams that did not make the playoffs
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Prior to that, Anaheim seemed to be well on its way to regaining significance. Troy Terry, a forward, had a breakout offensive season. With his over-the-net passes and lacrosse-style goals, center Trevor Zegras captivated the NHL. For the most of the season, defenseman Jamie Drysdale, who was 19 at the time, played about 20 minutes every night. Until that setback, the Ducks had held their own in the Pacific.
At the trade deadline, new GM Pat Verbeek traded veterans Hampus Lindholm, Josh Manson, and Rickard Rakell, who were recruited on Feb. 2 to replace Bob Murray, who entered a treatment facility for alcohol consumption after accusations of professional misconduct. That meant the Ducks were giving up on the season and embarking on a generational transition, which was highlighted by center Ryan Getzlaf’s retirement announcement.
Offseason essentials
With free agents Sonny Milano (RFA), Sam Steel (RFA), Isac Lundestrom (RFA), Zach Aston-Reese (UFA), and defender Urho Vaakanainen, the Ducks have some housekeeping to do (RFA).
After that, it’s all systems go for a great future. Coach Dallas Eakins’ contract option for the 2022-23 season has been taken up. One conundrum for Verbeek is whether to put more of the team’s youngsters in prominent positions, such as forwards Jacob Perreault and Mason McTavish and defenseman Drew Helleson, or bring in veterans as fill-ins. Another question for Verbeek: How much of a squad he didn’t construct do you think the Ducks will have in the future?
Expectations for 2022-23 that are realistic
It’s difficult to forget the high-flying Ducks from earlier this season, brimming with the vigor of their youthful players and playing a fast-paced type of hockey. As the season progressed, the offense slowed, and the defense, which wasn’t very great to begin with, plummeted throughout the extended losing run. Both are signs of a youthful squad, and with a season under their belts, the Ducks might be poised to leap into the Pacific playoff picture next season. But there’s no need to hurry. They’re flying in the proper direction.
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The Blackhawks were always seeking for additional players to contribute outside of Patrick Kane, Alex DeBrincat, and Brandon Hagel (before to his trade). Some would, but only in spurts, never long enough to give Chicago the boost it needed. On defense, there was a lack of coordination at times, whether it was due to Seth Jones’ apparent transition period early on or just a lack of connection among teammates.
Then there was the question of certain players, such as Dominik Kubalik and Kirby Dach, having surprisingly bad seasons. And when Marc-Andre Fleury was dealt at the deadline, the goaltending faltered (the Blackhawks were in the bottom five in goals against after Fleury’s departure), and the regular-season ended on a poor note.
Offseason essentials
Chicago is undergoing a transformation. It’s seldom a straightforward procedure.
Kyle Davidson, the general manager, will have to review the company from top to bottom to determine who will remain and who will go. Behind the bench, it all begins with King. Will he stay or will Davidson begin a wider hunt for his successor?
There has been speculation regarding whether the Blackhawks should part ways with Kane and Jonathan Toews and pass the torch to the next generation. Davidson’s decision to move Hagel was already an indication that he won’t be afraid to make changes. Is this a deconstruction project? Or are there seasoned pillars in place that can help Chicago’s fresh generation of talent succeed? Those are big issues, and how they’re addressed will determine the Blackhawks’ future.
Expectations for 2022-23 that are realistic
Maintain a modest profile. It will take a long time for Chicago to regain its previous splendor. The team’s main aim for next season should be to become more difficult to play against. The Blackhawks have been an easy out far too frequently this season. Rebuilding may be emotionally draining for athletes, but whomever is on this squad in the coming years will have to stick it through.
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The Red Wings’ team defense was a serious issue, as they were among the league’s worst teams in terms of high-danger chances allowed. In the back end, Detroit didn’t have many standouts apart from rookie prodigy Moritz Seider. Over time, the bad behaviors that were being shown appeared to pervade everywhere else, impeding any progress Detroit was able to accomplish.
In addition, the Red Wings lacked auxiliary contributors. At moments, Dylan Larkin, Tyler Bertuzzi, and Lucas Raymond were electrifying, while Filip Zadina, Givani Smith, and Adam Erne struggled. There were too many passengers and not enough assistants, so it created a problem.
Offseason essentials
First and foremost, the defense in Detroit must be improved. The only veterans signed for next season are Filip Hronek and Jordan Oesterle. The Red Wings will need the appropriate individuals to guide them in improving their defensive execution.
Then there are the concerns that affect the overall picture. Is general manager Steve Yzerman still dedicated to the lengthy rebuild? Is he confident in Jeff Blashill as the team’s head coach? Those questions must be answered, not with words, but with acts. Larkin and Bertuzzi, both in their mid-20s, have one and two more seasons left on their contracts; are they willing to give up more of their prime years for a club that isn’t contending? Blashill has been in charge of the Red Wings since 2015-16, the last time they reached the playoffs. Is it possible for Yzerman to turn the corner with the same voice behind his bench?
On the ice, there are some excellent contributors in Seider, Raymond, and Alex Nedeljkovic, so the key will be finding out how to best assist that youthful core moving forward.
Expectations for 2022-23 that are realistic
It’s difficult to predict how much better the Red Wings will be next season until Yzerman begins working his magic in the summer. Detroit has a number of promising possibilities in its pipeline, including Simon Edvinsson and Jonatan Berggren, who might end up on the major club’s squad. If the Red Wings want to ride with their youthful core again to see how far they can go, another spring without playoffs may be in the cards.
But if the result is creating an identity and foundation for the club that will last for years to come, then it could be worthwhile.
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They went 5-8-0 in their first 13 away games while the finishing touches on their new arena were put in place. It was not a joyous homecoming for the Islanders when they finally played at UBS Arena: they were winless in their first seven games, part of an 11-game losing skid overall. The Islanders were 5-10-5 on December 5th. They never recovered enough to make the playoffs.
Over the previous two seasons, they went from being the 12th-best defensive club at even strength (per anticipated goals against) to 25th this season. Usually reliable players like Anthony Beauvillier and Kyle Palmieri struggled offensively, while forward Oliver Wahlstrom’s promising rookie season was cut short.
Brock Nelson’s finest goal-scoring season, Noah Dobson’s breakthrough season, and Ilya Sorokin’s Vezina-caliber goaltending were among the personal highlights. It didn’t make up for the Islanders, who seemed plodding and ancient in a league that was quick and youthful.
Offseason essentials
Lou Lamoriello, the team’s general manager, must address the team’s blue line. Dobson is in desperate need of a new contract. Free agents Andy Greene and Zdeno Chara are both beyond their prime, while Sebastian Aho was mostly unproductive. Sorokin and Semyon Varlamov, who will be in his last season with the Islanders next season, can only cover so much of the team’s defensive woes.
Lamoriello must next establish if the team’s problems were isolated or widespread. Will he attempt to deal off any of his long-term contract players in their 30s and 40s? Or does he start again next season, hoping that the parts he’s put together will still come together in time for a Cup run?
Expectations for 2022-23 that are realistic
Lamoriello’s decision to re-sign Cal Clutterbuck and Zach Parise indicates that he wants to keep this core intact for another shot at the title. With a few modifications, particularly on defense, the Islanders could be able to make another run, especially with their goaltending. With a stronger start and some new faces in the lineup, they should be much closer to the playoffs than they were this season.
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Hayes’ season was also overshadowed by sadness, as his brother, former NHL player Jimmy Hayes, passed away in August. The tale of captain Claude Giroux, a career Flyer whose stint with the organization ended following a deadline trade to the Florida Panthers, was similarly overlooked.
GM Chuck Fletcher’s offseason signings of Ellis, Rasmus Ristolainen, Keith Yandle, and Martin Jones have resulted in too many injuries, mediocre performances, and a lack of impact (although Cam Atkinson played well in his first season in Philly).
Offseason essentials
Fletcher has spoken about a “aggressive retool” in the winter, thinking that the club already has the elements to compete next season with some tweaking. That retool will have to be aggressive: the Flyers will need to replace Giroux’s offense and, more than likely, sign another proven scorer.
Will they try to trade James van Riemsdyk, who is in the last year of his deal and has a $7 million cap hit? Will the speculations that Ivan Provorov is available lead to a trade? The retool might go in a variety of ways.
Obviously, winning the NHL draft lottery would be beneficial. At center, the Flyers might utilize Shane Wright or Logan Cooley, and on defense, Simon Nemec.
Fletcher will need to appoint a new head coach in addition to the roster. The Flyers have been said to be looking for TNT analyst and Philly fan favorite Rick Tocchet to take over the bench. Or does a club looking to improve its basic 5-on-5 play make overtures to John Tortorella, another coach-turned-commentator?
Expectations for 2022-23 that are realistic
If they’re in better health. If their offseason additions are consistently more significant than last season’s and do not distract from the team’s other strengths. If they choose the appropriate coach. If some of the younger players who have seen action this season, such as Noah Cates, Ronnie Attard, Bobby Brink, Morgan Frost, and Owen Tippett, improve, Hart will be able to return to his prior levels. The Flyers might return to postseason contention if all of this transpires, or at least the most of it. But there are a lot of ifs there.
The Jets have a lot of good players on their roster, including winger Kyle Connor, but they haven’t been able to put it all together this season. Getty Images/Darcy Finley/NHLI
Cap space projected for 2022-23: $16,271,310
1st, 2nd (STL), 2nd (NYR), 3rd (CBJ), 4th (ARI), 6th, 7th (ARI) draft selections in 2022
What went wrong, exactly?
Some clubs lack the necessary skill to compete with the top in the NHL. Winnipeg has a lot of talented players, but too many of them had a bad year at the same time. So much so that coach Paul Maurice resigned in December after realizing he couldn’t get enough out of the team any more.
It’s not every day that a coach departs on a squad that isn’t playing well. Is there any influence on the Jets’ general confidence as a result of this? Maybe. The club’s underperforming stars, though, were the main problem.
Both Mark Scheifele and Blake Wheeler lost time early in the season and didn’t regain their offensive stride until later in the season. Nikolaj Ehlers was one of the Jets’ finest forwards, but he, too, was sidelined by injury in the middle of the season, jeopardizing the team’s prospects of making a playoff push. One thing after another seemed to take Winnipeg’s assets out of the equation, and the more they tried to remain afloat, the harder another wave of disaster landed.
That emotional roller coaster eventually took its toll on the whole club, ultimately putting an end to any last-ditch hopes of making the playoffs.
Offseason essentials
Kevin Cheveldayoff, the team’s general manager, will have to make a decision on his next coach. Dave Lowry has taken over for Maurice, but is it a long-term position for him? Most likely not.
Whoever fills the position will have to deal with the Jets’ next most essential task: putting this squandered season behind them and beginning again. It’s not like the Jets are in desperate need of a makeover. They have strong players and a bright future. Connor Hellebuyck is an excellent goalie. In practically every way, this season was a disaster.
Cheveldayoff will almost certainly change some individuals or make minor adjustments. He’ll also be in charge of Pierre Luc-Dubois’ next contract, which will be a top priority for the club and its pending restricted free agent.
Expectations for 2022-23 that are realistic
Winnipeg should come into training camp with a big chip on their shoulder. This was not the Jets’ year, and there are just too many talented players in this lineup for it to happen again. Both within and beyond the organization, there should be great expectations for the Jets in the future.
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