As the NHL’s free agency period kicks off, some teams appear to be playoff certainties. However, not all of last season’s playoff teams are guaranteed to make it again.
The five teams listed below are still quite strong, with one even being among the league’s most improved this off-season. Nonetheless, due to various factors that we’ll delve into, they might find themselves on the fringe of the postseason or potentially missing out altogether. Here, in no specific order, are the teams that might have to fight for a wild-card spot or miss the playoffs entirely according to this writer.
New York Islanders
Los Angeles Kings
Winnipeg Jets
Tampa Bay Lightning
Washington Capitals
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