List of NHL franchise post-season droughts
This article is a list of the active and all-time National Hockey League (NHL) franchise post-season appearance, post-season series win, Stanley Cup Finals and Stanley Cup droughts up to and including the 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs. Those teams which have never made it in franchise history are listed by the season that they entered the league, either as a new franchise or when they merged into the NHL from the defunct World Hockey Association (WHA) league.
Note: These lists do not include the cancelled 2004–05 NHL season when calculating "number of seasons".
Among the current thirty-two active NHL teams, twelve have never won the Stanley Cup, with the oldest of them being the Vancouver Canucks and the Buffalo Sabres (50 seasons). The longest Stanley Cup droughts in NHL history belong to the New York Rangers and the Toronto Maple Leafs (both 53 seasons). New York ended their drought in 1994, while Toronto's drought is still active, as they have not made the Finals since winning the last Stanley Cup before the expansion era. Five teams have never reached the Stanley Cup Finals, with the oldest of them being the Winnipeg Jets/Arizona Coyotes franchise (41 seasons). Toronto's active 53-season drought from the Finals is the longest in NHL history. In 2010, the Chicago Blackhawks ended what was the second-longest ever Stanley Cup championship drought at 47 seasons (now the sixth-longest). The end of that drought was the first of three consecutive years in which one of the eleven longest such droughts was broken (Chicago Blackhawks in 2010, Boston Bruins in 2011, and Los Angeles Kings in 2012).
The Florida Panthers have the longest active playoff series win drought (24 seasons). The all-time longest drought between series wins was that of the Winnipeg Jets/Arizona Coyotes franchise, broken in 2012 after 25 seasons. The Buffalo Sabres have the longest active playoff appearance drought (10 seasons). This is tied with the Panthers and Edmonton Oilers for the longest droughts of all time; Florida and Edmonton's droughts ended in 2012 and 2017 respectively.
Longest active droughts
Post-season appearance droughts
A postseason appearance drought is continued by not making the NHL playoffs after the regular season. Since the first round of the playoffs normally consists of eight series (sixteen teams) and there were thirty-two active teams in the NHL during the 2021–22 season, there are sixteen teams that did not make the most recent playoffs on this list.
| Team | Last appearance in post-season | Post-season drought |
|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Sabres | 2010–11 | 11 seasons |
| Detroit Red Wings | 2015–16 | 6 seasons |
| Ottawa Senators | 2016–17 | 5 seasons |
| Anaheim Ducks | 2017–18 | 4 seasons |
| New Jersey Devils | 2017–18 | 4 seasons |
| San Jose Sharks | 2018–19 | 3 seasons |
| Arizona Coyotes | 2019–20 | 2 seasons |
| Chicago Blackhawks | 2019–20 | 2 seasons |
| Columbus Blue Jackets | 2019–20 | 2 seasons |
| Philadelphia Flyers | 2019–20 | 2 seasons |
| Vancouver Canucks | 2019–20 | 2 seasons |
| Montreal Canadiens | 2020–21 | 1 season |
| New York Islanders | 2020–21 | 1 season |
| Seattle Kraken | never (inception of franchise in 2021–22) | 1 season |
| Vegas Golden Knights | 2020–21 | 1 season |
| Winnipeg Jets | 2020–21 | 1 season |
Post-season series win droughts
A post-season series winning drought is continued either by not making the playoffs in a season or by making the playoffs in a season but subsequently lost the first round series. Since the first round of the NHL playoffs consists of eight series (sixteen teams), there will be twenty-three teams in this list – the fifteen teams that do not qualify for the post-season, plus the eight teams that lose their first round series.
The other eight teams – the Boston Bruins, Carolina Hurricanes, Colorado Avalanche, Montreal Canadiens, New York Islanders, Tampa Bay Lightning, Vegas Golden Knights and Winnipeg Jets – all won a post-season series in the 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs.
Stanley Cup Finals droughts
This is a list of the teams and the number of seasons since they have reached the Stanley Cup Finals. This list does not include the two teams that made the 2021 Stanley Cup Finals: the Montreal Canadiens and the Tampa Bay Lightning.
- 1 includes 17 seasons for Winnipeg Jets (1979–80 through to 1995–96) + 25 seasons for Phoenix/Arizona Coyotes (1996–97 through to 2021–22)
- 2 includes 11 seasons for Atlanta Thrashers (1999–2000 through to 2010–11) + 11 seasons for Winnipeg Jets (2011–12 through to 2021–22)
Stanley Cup droughts
This is a list of the teams and the number of seasons since they have won the Stanley Cup. This list does not include the most recent Stanley Cup Champions: the Tampa Bay Lightning.
- 1 includes 17 seasons for Winnipeg Jets (1979–80 through to 1995–96) + 25 seasons for Phoenix/Arizona Coyotes (1996–97 through to 2021–22)
- 2 includes 11 seasons for Atlanta Thrashers (1999–2000 through to 2010–11) + 11 seasons for Winnipeg Jets (2011–12 through to 2021–22)
Closest approaches without winning
| Team | First NHL season | First Round Appearances1 |
Second Round Appearances2 |
Conference Finals Appearances3 |
Stanley Cup Finals Appearances |
Fewest Wins Short of Stanley Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vancouver Canucks | 1970–71 | 27 | 12 | 3 | 3 | 1 win short : 1993–94, 2010–11 |
| Buffalo Sabres | 1970–71 | 27 | 15 | 6 | 2 | 2 wins short : 1974–75, 1998–99 |
| San Jose Sharks | 1991–92 | 21 | 15 | 5 | 1 | 2 wins short : 2015–16 |
| Nashville Predators | 1998–99 | 13 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 wins short : 2016–17 |
| Ottawa Senators | 1992–93 | 16 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 3 wins short : 2006–07 |
| Vegas Golden Knights | 2017–18 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 wins short : 2017–18 |
| Florida Panthers | 1993–94 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 wins short : 1995–96 |
| Arizona Coyotes4 | 1979–80 | 20 | 3 | 1 | 7 wins short : 2011–12 | |
| Winnipeg Jets5 | 1999–2000 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 7 wins short : 2017–18 | |
| Minnesota Wild | 2000–01 | 10 | 3 | 1 | 8 wins short : 2002–03 | |
| Columbus Blue Jackets | 2000–01 | 6 | 1 | 10 wins short : 2018–19 |
- 1 includes Preliminary Rounds from 1974–75 through to 1980–81, Division Semi-Finals from 1981–82 through to 1992–93 and Conference Quarterfinals from 1993–94 through to 2012–13
- 2 includes Quarter-Finals from 1967–68 through to 1980–81, Division Finals from 1981–82 through to 1992–93 and Conference Semifinals from 1993–94 through to 2012–13
- 3 includes Semi-Finals up to and including 1980–81 and Stanley Cup Semifinals in 2021–22
- 4 includes 17 seasons for Winnipeg Jets (1979–80 through to 1995–96) + 25 seasons for Arizona Coyotes/Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97 through to 2021–22).
- 5 includes 11 seasons for Atlanta Thrashers (1999–2000 through to 2010–11) + 11 seasons for Winnipeg Jets (2011–12 through to 2021–22).
Longest all-time droughts
Post-season appearance droughts
| Team | Previous post-season appearance | Next post-season appearance | Post-season drought |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Sabres | 2010–11 | 11 seasons | |
| Florida Panthers | 1999–2000 | 2011–12 | 10 seasons1 |
| Edmonton Oilers | 2005–06 | 2016–17 | 10 seasons |
| Colorado Rockies / New Jersey Devils | 1977–78 | 1987–88 | 9 seasons2 |
| Carolina Hurricanes | 2008–09 | 2018–19 | 9 seasons |
| California Golden Seals / Cleveland Barons3 | 1969–70 | never (merger of franchise after 1977–78) | 8 seasons4 |
| Boston Bruins | 1958–59 | 1967–68 | 8 seasons |
| Washington Capitals | never (inception of franchise in 1974–75) | 1982–83 | 8 seasons |
| Detroit Red Wings | 1969–70 | 1977–78 | 7 seasons |
| New York Islanders | 1993–94 | 2001–02 | 7 seasons |
| Calgary Flames | 1995–96 | 2003–04 | 7 seasons |
| New York Rangers | 1996–97 | 2005–06 | 7 seasons1 |
| Columbus Blue Jackets | never (inception of franchise in 2000–01) | 2008–09 | 7 seasons1 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | 2003–04 | 2012–13 | 7 seasons1 |
| Atlanta Thrashers / Winnipeg Jets | 2006–07 | 2014–15 | 7 seasons5 |
| Phoenix / Arizona Coyotes | 2011–12 | 2019–20 | 7 seasons6 |
- 1 no post-season occurred in 2005, due to the 2004–05 NHL Lockout
- 2 includes 4 seasons for Colorado Rockies (1978–79 through to 1981–82) + 5 seasons for New Jersey Devils (1982–83 through to 1986–87)
- 3 franchise dissolved in 1978 in a merger with the Minnesota North Stars (current Dallas Stars)
- 4 includes 6 seasons for California Golden Seals (1970–71 through to 1975–76) + 2 seasons for Cleveland Barons (1976–77, 1977–78)
- 5 includes 4 seasons for Atlanta Thrashers (2007–08 through to 2010–11) + 3 seasons for Winnipeg Jets (2011–12 through to 2013–14)
- 6 franchise changed its name in 2014 from Phoenix to Arizona Coyotes
Post-season series winning droughts
- 1 franchise renamed in 2014 as Arizona Coyotes
- 2 includes 9 seasons of the Winnipeg Jets (1987–88 through to 1995–96) + 14 seasons of the Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97 through to 2010–11)
- 3 includes 11 seasons for Atlanta Thrashers (1999–2000 through to 2010–11) + 6 seasons for Winnipeg Jets (2011–12 through to 2016–17)
- 4 includes 11 seasons of the Hartford Whalers (1986–87 through to 1996–97) + 4 season of the Carolina Hurricanes (1997–98) through to 2000–01
Stanley Cup Finals droughts
| Team | Previous Stanley Cup Finals | Intervening Conference Finals losses |
Next Stanley Cup Finals | Stanley Cup Finals drought |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto Maple Leafs | 1966–67 | 5: 1977–78, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1998–99, 2001–02 | 53 seasons | |
| St. Louis Blues | 1969–70 | 4: 1971–72, 1985–86, 2000–01, 2015–16 | 2018–19 | 47 seasons |
| Arizona Coyotes | never (franchise entered the NHL in 1979–80) | 1: 2011–12 | 42 seasons1 | |
| New York Islanders | 1983–84 | 2: 1992–93, 2019–20 | 37 seasons | |
| Detroit Red Wings | 1965–66 | 2: 1986–87, 1987–88 | 1994–95 | 28 seasons |
| Montreal Canadiens | 1992–93 | 2: 2009–10, 2013–14 | 2020–21 | 26 seasons |
| Los Angeles Kings | never (inception of franchise in 1967–68) | 1: 1968–69 | 1992–93 | 25 seasons |
| Florida Panthers | 1995–96 | 24 seasons | ||
| Buffalo Sabres | 1974–75 | 2: 1979–80, 1997–98 | 1998–99 | 23 seasons |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | never (inception of franchise in 1967–68) | 1: 1969–70 | 1990–91 | 23 seasons |
| Washington Capitals | never (inception of franchise in 1974–75) | 1: 1989–90 | 1997–98 | 23 seasons |
| San Jose Sharks | never (inception of franchise in 1991–92) | 3: 2003–04, 2009–10, 2010–11 | 2015–16 | 23 seasons |
- 1 includes 17 seasons for Winnipeg Jets (1979–80 through to 1995–96) + 25 seasons for Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97 through to 2021–22)
Stanley Cup droughts
- 1 it is common to refer to the duration of the New York Rangers' record Stanley Cup drought as 54 "years" (1940 to 1994), but that only encompasses 53 seasons (1940–41 to 1992–93).
- 2 the name of the team was Black Hawks for a majority of the drought (25 of the 47 seasons) before being renamed to Blackhawks in 1986.
- 3 includes 17 seasons for Winnipeg Jets (1979–80 through to 1995–96) + 25 seasons for Phoenix/Arizona Coyotes (1996–97 through to 2021–22)
Cities/regions awaiting first Stanley Cup
This list only includes cities/regions currently hosting an NHL franchise.
| City/Region | Seasons waiting | Stanley Cup Finals appearances |
Current NHL team |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo | 51 | 1974–75, 1998–99 | Buffalo Sabres |
| Minneapolis–Saint Paul | 461 | 1980–812, 1990–912 | Minnesota Wild |
| San Francisco Bay | 393 | 2015–16 | San Jose Sharks |
| Miami | 27 | 1995–96 | Florida Panthers |
| Phoenix | 25 | Never | Arizona Coyotes |
| Nashville | 22 | 2016–17 | Nashville Predators |
| Columbus | 21 | Never | Columbus Blue Jackets |
| Las Vegas Valley | 5 | 2017–18 | Vegas Golden Knights |
- 1 includes 26 seasons of the Minnesota North Stars (1967–68 through to 1992–93) and 20 seasons of the Minnesota Wild (2000–01 through to 2020–21).
- 2 both Stanley Cup Finals appearances by the Minnesota North Stars.
- 3 includes 9 seasons of the California Seals, Oakland Seals, California Golden Seals franchise (1967–68 through to 1975–76) and 30 seasons of the San Jose Sharks (1991–92 through to 2021–22).
- Although the Vancouver Canucks have not won a Stanley Cup in their 50 seasons of play (inception of franchise in 1970–71 through to 2020–21), Vancouver has one Stanley Cup to its credit - the Vancouver Millionaires of the Pacific Coast Hockey Association won the Stanley Cup in 1915 prior to the founding of the NHL in 1917.
- While the current Ottawa Senators have never won the Stanley Cup in their 27 seasons of play (inception of franchise in 1992–93 through to 2019–20), Ottawa celebrated 11 Stanley Cup championships with the original era Ottawa Senators, the last one in 1927.
- While neither team called the Winnipeg Jets ever won the Stanley Cup in their combined 26 seasons playing in Winnipeg (as of 2019–20), the city celebrated three Stanley Cup championships by the Winnipeg Victorias, the last in 1902, prior to the founding of the NHL in 1917.
- The Seattle Kraken begin play in 2021–22; however, the city of Seattle has one prior Stanley Cup championship as the Seattle Metropolitans of the Pacific Coast Hockey Association became the first U.S.-based team to win the Stanley Cup in 1917.
Canadian droughts
Despite having fewer Canadian-based teams than U.S.-based ones throughout much of the NHL's existence (dating back to the Original Six era when it was two Canadian clubs to four American ones, and now seven to twenty-five since 2021), there have been only two times in league history where none of the Canadian teams qualified for the postseason: 1969–70 and 2015–16.[1] The 1992–93 Montreal Canadiens remain the last Canadian club to go all the way and win the Stanley Cup.[2]
- Last time that none of the Canadian teams qualified for the playoffs: 2015–16
- Last all-Canadian first round series: 2020–21 (Toronto vs. Montreal and Edmonton vs. Winnipeg)
- Last all-Canadian first round series without North Division: 2014–15 (Montreal vs. Ottawa and Vancouver vs. Calgary)
- Last time all the Canadian teams were eliminated in the first round: 2018–19 (Calgary, Toronto, Winnipeg)
- Last all-Canadian second round series: 2020–21 (Winnipeg vs. Montreal)
- Last all-Canadian second round series without North Division: 2001–02 (Ottawa vs. Toronto)
- Last time all the Canadian teams were eliminated by the end of the second round: 2019–20 (Vancouver)
- Last Conference Finals appearance by a Canadian team: 2020–21 (Montreal)
- Last Conference Finals appearance by a Canadian team without North Division: 2017–18 (Winnipeg)
- Last all-Canadian Conference Finals: 1993–94 (Toronto vs. Vancouver)
- Last Stanley Cup Finals appearance by a Canadian team: 2020–21 (Montreal)
- Last all-Canadian Stanley Cup Finals: 1988–89 (Calgary vs. Montreal)
- Last Stanley Cup won by a Canadian team: 1992–93 (Montreal)
See also
References
- Stubbs, Dave (March 31, 2016). "Woe Canada. No playoffs this year north of border". NHL.com. NHL Enterprises, L.P. Retrieved March 31, 2016.
- Tim Warnsby (June 15, 2011). "Bruins win Stanley Cup". CBC Sports. Retrieved Feb 5, 2012.
The Canucks weren't going to become the first Canadian-based team since the 1992-93 Montreal Canadiens to win the Stanley Cup with such little production.
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