Because the NHL gears up for the 2024/25 season, the joy and anticipation are palpable throughout the league. The Florida Panthers will head into their October curtain raiser in opposition to the Boston Bruins because the reigning champions after knocking off Connor McDavid’s Edmonton Oilers to say the Stanley Cup for the primary time in historical past final time period. Nevertheless, it’s the group that they vanquished earlier this yr that head into the brand new marketing campaign as favorites, with the mercurial McDavid and Leon Draisaitl main the cost.
However whereas these two are on the high of the pile, spare a thought for these two groups who will head into the 2024/25 season with the longest postseason droughts of anybody within the league.
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres maintain the unenviable report for the longest present postseason drought within the NHL, having missed the playoffs for 13 consecutive seasons. Through the years, the New York State outfit has tried numerous rebuild methods, usually with little success, whereas a revolving door of coaches and normal managers has additional compounded their struggles.
Nevertheless, there’s a glimmer of hope on the horizon for Sabres followers. After ending simply seven factors off of a wildcard spot final time period, there may be hope {that a} brighter future is simply across the nook, and the most recent NHL betting odds at the moment make them a +5000 outsider for the championship subsequent season.
The group has made vital modifications during the last yr, together with the acquisition of promising younger abilities by the draft. Gamers like Owen Energy and Jack Quinn characterize a brand new core that would doubtlessly lead the franchise again to the playoffs for the primary time since a 4-3 sequence defeat within the first spherical of the 2011 postseason. Ought to they qualify this time period, they are going to then intention to finish one other streak, progressing within the playoffs for the primary time since 2007.
PATRICK KANE WINS IT IN OT IN HIS RETURN TO CHICAGO 😱 pic.twitter.com/evBAqP1E5w
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 26, 2024
Detroit Purple Wings
The Detroit Purple Wings is a storied franchise with a wealthy historical past of success, however they at the moment discover themselves amid an eight-season playoff drought. For a group that after set the usual for excellence within the NHL, this dry spell has been notably difficult for its loyal fanbase. The Purple Wings have been the dominant pressure on the rink on the flip of the millennium, profitable the Stanley Cup in back-to-back seasons in 1997 and 1998, earlier than including additional crowns in 2002 and 2008.
Regardless of their current woes, the Motor Metropolis outfit has proven indicators of life in recent times. Below the management of Basic Supervisor Steve Yzerman, they’ve been methodically rebuilding their roster with an eye fixed towards the longer term. This technique has included a concentrate on drafting and growing younger expertise, comparable to Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond, who’re anticipated to play pivotal roles within the group’s resurgence. The addition of Chicago Blackhawks legend Patrick Kane has added some much-needed star energy and expertise to the aspect, and he will probably be aiming to steer his aspect to the playoffs subsequent season on the ripe outdated age of 35.
