2026-27 NHL playoff contenders: 10 teams poised to return after missing in 2025-26
A look at 10 teams that missed in 2025-26 but could be 2026-27 NHL playoff contenders, analyzing offseason moves, goalie situations and roster health.
The NHL’s postseason picture reshapes every year, and the list of potential 2026-27 NHL playoff contenders includes several clubs that fell short last season but retooled over the summer. This preview examines roster changes, goaltending questions and health variables that could push ten teams back into contention. The focus is on measurable upgrades and lingering uncertainties that will determine whether each club can close the gap when the regular season begins.
Islanders still rely on Sorokin amid limited offensive gains
New York’s offseason did not dramatically alter a roster that leaned heavily on Ilya Sorokin last season, when goaltending masked uneven scoring and a weak power play. With modest cap room and departures that included Carson Soucy and former captain Anders Lee, the Islanders entered the year without major reinforcements up front. Development of young defenseman Matthew Schaefer and coaching changes could help, but the club must generate more goals to avoid repeating last season’s near-miss.
The team’s special teams and overall goals-for figures remain the clearest performance hurdles. If Sorokin delivers Vezina-caliber play again, the Islanders can stay competitive, but sustainable offense will be necessary for a genuine playoff push.
Predators add depth under new president and general manager Chris MacFarland
Nashville finished close to a wild-card spot despite a challenging goals-against average and inconsistent goaltending in 2025-26. Incoming president and general manager Chris MacFarland acted aggressively, bringing in veteran forwards and depth pieces such as Mavrik Bourque, Ross Colton and Jack Drury while bolstering the blue line with Ilya Lyubushkin and adding Alexander Kerfoot. Those moves aim to stabilize both scoring and defensive play in a Western Conference that projects to be more open.
The key for the Predators will be a rebound from Juuse Saros and a clearer defensive identity. If Saros regains elite form and the new acquisitions fit quickly, Nashville could capitalize on a softer conference and slip into a playoff berth.
Blues’ offseason transactions create a new forward mix and added experience
St. Louis made several under-the-radar swaps that reshape its forward group, trading Jordan Kyrou and receiving scorers like Connor McMichael and prospects in return. The Blues also acquired Mason McTavish and veteran defenseman Brandon Carlo to pair with younger forwards such as Jimmy Snuggerud and Dylan Holloway. Development from those younger pieces, combined with a healthier Jordan Binnington, will determine how far the team can climb.
Consistency in net remains the unanswered question for St. Louis. If Binnington returns to a reliable form, the Blues’ incremental upgrades could translate into enough wins to crack the playoff field.
Jets’ season outlook hinges on the Connor Hellebuyck decision and team health
Winnipeg’s projection swings dramatically based on the club’s handling of Connor Hellebuyck, who publicly requested a trade as camps opened and remains under contract for several more seasons. A trade could yield picks and prospects but would reshape the roster; keeping Hellebuyck gives the Jets an elite netminder but creates uncertainty about long-term assets and chemistry. Outside of the goalie saga, the team’s health and the availability of core scorers will be pivotal after the recent decline in results.
Two seasons removed from a Presidents’ Trophy campaign, Winnipeg has the underlying pieces to contend if injuries are contained. The early-season status of Hellebuyck will likely be the most tangible indicator of the club’s playoff potential.
Blue Jackets’ culture reset and Devils’ injuries-driven rebound potential
Columbus enters 2026-27 under a mandate to change its internal culture following public criticism from interim coach Rick Bowness and a subsequent short-term extension. Additions such as Valeri Nichushkin and Ryan Lomberg, plus expected growth from young players like Adam Fantilli and Denton Mateychuk, give the Blue Jackets a clearer path to a competitive roster. The team’s response to the coaching message and integration of new veterans will show whether the club can close the gap in the Metropolitan Division.
New Jersey’s season is a reminder of how quickly fortunes can shift when injuries strike. The Devils started 2025-26 strongly but slipped after several key absences; offseason additions including Anthony Mantha and Evan Rodrigues aim to fortify depth. Goaltending durability — notably whether veteran Jake Allen can handle a heavier workload or the club pursues an upgrade — will be central to any revival.
Maple Leafs, Sharks and Capitals show different routes back to contention
Toronto’s strategy combined lottery luck with veteran acquisitions such as Sergei Bobrovsky and Darren Raddysh, positioning the Maple Leafs as a team that expects to rebound if its stars stay healthy. The Toronto roster still depends on the availability of Auston Matthews and a more reliable backup netminding plan to convert talent into wins. A relatively conservative approach could nonetheless be effective in the Atlantic Division.
San Jose’s rapid youth development around Macklin Celebrini and a strong draft position brought Ivar Stenberg and several experienced additions, including Mason Marchment and Jacob Trouba, making the Sharks a natural candidate for a step forward. Washington pursued top-end wingers and depth scorers, adding Alex Tuch and Filppo Kyrou to complement returning rookies and give the Capitals a high-upside forward corps. Each of these teams followed different blueprints — veteran infusion, youth progression or targeted wing acquisitions — but all possess plausible routes back to the postseason.
Florida’s core recovery and blockbuster additions make the Panthers among the most frequently mentioned teams to return to the playoffs, though they were not part of the ten-team list that missed in 2025-26. The club’s health and integration of newcomers will determine whether they simply return or emerge as a divisional favorite.
The coming season will test how durable offseason planning and midlevel roster tweaks are when matched against injuries, goaltending form and divisional competition. These 2026-27 NHL playoff contenders each have clear reasons for optimism, but their actual fates will be decided by performance in close games, the availability of top players and how quickly new pieces fit into established systems.
