List of NHL franchise post-season droughts
These are lists of active and all-time National Hockey League (NHL) franchise post-season appearance, post-season series win, Stanley Cup Final and Stanley Cup droughts up to and including the 2012 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 WHA league.
Note: These lists do not include the canceled 2004–05 NHL season.
Among the current 30 NHL teams, 12 have never won the Stanley Cup, including one (the St. Louis Blues) that is among the five oldest expansion teams. Additionally, one of the Original Six franchises – the Toronto Maple Leafs – has a Stanley Cup drought that includes the entire expansion era (44 seasons and counting). Of the six franchises that have never been to the Stanley Cup Final, the oldest is the Phoenix Coyotes (previously the Winnipeg Jets) (32 seasons), while the Maple Leafs and the Blues have even longer droughts (44 and 41 seasons, respectively). The longest Stanley Cup championship drought in history was that of the New York Rangers, broken in 1994 after 53 seasons. The second-longest was that of the Chicago Blackhawks, broken in 2010 after 47 seasons. Of the twelve longest such droughts, seven are active as of the end of the 2011-2012 season, with another ending in each of the three previous seasons.
There are only two franchises that have never won a post-season playoff series (the Atlanta Thrashers/Winnipeg Jets and the Columbus Blue Jackets), though the oldest is just 12 seasons old; two other franchises (New York Islanders and Florida Panthers) have longer win droughts (18 and 15 seasons respectively). The Panthers had not appeared in the playoffs at all for 10 seasons, the longest such streak in NHL history which ended in 2012.
Longest active droughts
Post-season appearance droughts
A post-season appearance drought is continued by not making the NHL playoffs after the regular season. Since the first round of the playoffs consists of 8 series (16 teams) and there are 30 teams in the NHL, there will always be 14 teams that did not make the most recent playoffs on this list.
The other 16 teams – Anaheim Ducks, Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, Minnesota Wild, Montreal Canadiens, New York Islanders, New York Rangers, Ottawa Senators, Pittsburgh Penguins, San Jose Sharks, St. Louis Blues, Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks, Washington Capitals – all made the post-season for the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs.
| Team | Last appearance in post-season | Post-season drought |
|---|---|---|
| Edmonton Oilers | 2005–06 | 7 seasons |
| Winnipeg Jets | 2006–07 | 6 seasons1 |
| Dallas Stars | 2007–08 | 5 seasons |
| Calgary Flames | 2008–09 | 4 seasons |
| Carolina Hurricanes | 2008–09 | 4 seasons |
| Columbus Blue Jackets | 2008–09 | 4 seasons |
| Colorado Avalanche | 2009–10 | 3 seasons |
| Buffalo Sabres | 2010–11 | 2 seasons |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | 2010–11 | 2 seasons |
| Florida Panthers | 2011–12 | 1 season |
| Nashville Predators | 2011–12 | 1 season |
| New Jersey Devils | 2011–12 | 1 season |
| Philadelphia Flyers | 2011–12 | 1 season |
| Phoenix Coyotes | 2011–12 | 1 season |
- 1 includes 4 seasons for Atlanta Thrashers (2007–08 through to 2010–11) + 2 seasons for Winnipeg Jets (2011–12 through to 2012–13)
Post-season series win droughts
A post-season series win drought is continued either by not making the playoffs in a season or by making the playoffs in a season but subsequently losing the first round series. Since the first round of the NHL playoffs consist of 8 series (16 teams), there will always be 22 teams in this list – the 14 teams that do not make the post-season plus the 8 teams that lose their first round series.
The other 8 teams – Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, New York Rangers, Ottawa Senators, Pittsburgh Penguins, San Jose Sharks – all won a post-season series in the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs.
- 1 includes 11 seasons for Atlanta Thrashers (1999–2000 through to 2010–11) + 2 seasons for Winnipeg Jets (2011–12 through to 2012–13)
Stanley Cup Final droughts
This is a list of the team and the number of seasons since they have reached the Stanley Cup Final. This list does not include the two teams that made the 2013 Stanley Cup Finals, the Chicago Blackhawks and the Boston Bruins.
- 1 includes 17 seasons for Winnipeg Jets (1979–80 through to 1995–96) + 16 seasons for Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97 through to 2012–13)
- 2 includes 11 seasons for Atlanta Thrashers (1999–2000 through to 2010–11) + 2 seasons for Winnipeg Jets (2011–12 through to 2012–13)
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 2012 Stanley Cup champion, the Los Angeles Kings.
| Team | Last Stanley Cup | Subsequent Stanley Cup Final losses |
Stanley Cup drought |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto Maple Leafs | 1966–67 | 44 seasons | |
| St. Louis Blues | never (inception of franchise in 1967–68) | 3 : 1967–68, 1968–69, 1969–70 | 44 seasons |
| Buffalo Sabres | never (inception of franchise in 1970–71) | 2 : 1974–75, 1998–99 | 41 seasons |
| Vancouver Canucks | never (inception of franchise in 1970–71) | 3 : 1981–82, 1993–94, 2010–11 | 41 seasons |
| Washington Capitals | never (inception of franchise in 1974–75) | 1 : 1997–98 | 37 seasons |
| Philadelphia Flyers | 1974–75 | 6 : 1975–76, 1979–80, 1984–85, 1986–87, 1996–97, 2009–10 | 36 seasons |
| Phoenix Coyotes | never (franchise entered the NHL in 1979–80) | 32 seasons1 | |
| New York Islanders | 1982–83 | 1 : 1983–84 | 28 seasons |
| Calgary Flames | 1988–89 | 1 : 2003–04 | 22 seasons |
| Edmonton Oilers | 1989–90 | 1 : 2005–06 | 21 seasons |
| San Jose Sharks | never (inception of franchise in 1991–92) | 20 seasons | |
| Ottawa Senators | never (inception of franchise in 1992–93) | 1 : 2006–07 | 19 seasons |
| Montreal Canadiens | 1992–93 | 18 seasons | |
| Florida Panthers | never (inception of franchise in 1993–94) | 1 : 1995–96 | 18 seasons |
| New York Rangers | 1993–94 | 17 seasons | |
| Nashville Predators | never (inception of franchise in 1998–99) | 13 seasons | |
| Dallas Stars | 1998–99 | 1 : 1999–2000 | 12 seasons |
| Winnipeg Jets | never (inception of franchise in 1999–2000) | 12 seasons2 | |
| Minnesota Wild | never (inception of franchise in 2000–01) | 11 seasons | |
| Columbus Blue Jackets | never (inception of franchise in 2000–01) | 11 seasons | |
| Colorado Avalanche | 2000–01 | 10 seasons | |
| New Jersey Devils | 2002–03 | 1 : 2011-12 | 8 seasons |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | 2003–04 | 7 seasons | |
| Carolina Hurricanes | 2005–06 | 6 seasons | |
| Anaheim Ducks | 2006–07 | 5 seasons | |
| Detroit Red Wings | 2007–08 | 1 : 2008–09 | 4 seasons |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | 2008–09 | 3 seasons | |
| Chicago Blackhawks | 2009–10 | 2 seasons | |
| Boston Bruins | 2010–11 | 1 season |
- 1 includes 17 seasons for Winnipeg Jets (1979–80 through to 1995–96) + 15 seasons for Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97 through to 2011–12)
- 2 includes 11 seasons for Atlanta Thrashers (1999–2000 through to 2010–11) + 1 season for Winnipeg Jets (2011-12)
Closest approaches without winning
| Team | Conference Quarter-Final Appearances1 | Conference Semi-Final Appearances2 | Conference Final Appearances3 | Stanley Cup Final Appearances | Fewest Wins Short of Stanley Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vancouver Canucks | 25 | 11 | 3 | 3 | 1 win short : 1993–94, 2010–11 |
| Buffalo Sabres | 27 | 15 | 6 | 2 | 2 wins short : 1974–75, 1998–99 |
| Ottawa Senators | 14 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 wins short : 2006–07 |
| St. Louis Blues | 30 | 22 | 6 | 3 | 4 wins short : 1967–68, 1968–69, 1969–70 |
| Florida Panthers | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 wins short : 1995–96 |
| Washington Capitals | 24 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 4 wins short : 1997–98 |
| San Jose Sharks | 16 | 11 | 3 | 6 wins short : 2003–04 | |
| Phoenix Coyotes4 | 19 | 3 | 1 | 7 wins short : 2011–12 | |
| Minnesota Wild | 3 | 1 | 1 | 8 wins short : 2002–03 | |
| Nashville Predators | 7 | 2 | 10 wins short : 2010–11 | ||
| Winnipeg Jets5 | 1 | 16 wins short : 2006–07 | |||
| Columbus Blue Jackets | 1 | 16 wins short : 2008–09 |
- 1 includes Preliminary Rounds from 1974–75 through to 1980–81 and Division Semi-Finals from 1981–82 through to 1993–94
- 2 includes Quarter-Finals from 1967–68 through to 1980–81 and Division Finals from 1981–82 through to 1993–94
- 3 includes Semi-Finals up to and including 1980–81
- 4 includes 17 seasons for Winnipeg Jets (1979–80 through to 1995–96) + 16 seasons for Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97 through to 2012–13)
- 5 includes 11 seasons for Atlanta Thrashers (1999–2000 through to 2010–11) + 2 seasons for Winnipeg Jets (2012–13)
Longest all-time droughts
Post-season appearance droughts
- 1 includes 6 seasons for California Golden Seals (1970–71 through to 1975–76) + 2 seasons for Cleveland Barons (1976–77, 1977–78) + 1 season for Minnesota North Stars (1978–79)
- 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 no longer an active NHL franchise. Officially ceased operations 1946.
- 4 includes 5 seasons for Hartford Whalers (1992–93 through to 1996–97) + 1 season for Carolina Hurricanes (1997–98)
- 5 includes 4 seasons for Atlanta Thrashers (2007–08 through to 2010–11) + 2 seasons for Winnipeg Jets (2011–12 through to 2012–13)
Post-season series win droughts
- 1 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)
- 2 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)
- 3 includes 2 seasons of the Kansas City Scouts (1974–75, 1975–76) + 6 seasons for Colorado Rockies (1976–77 through to 1981–82) + 5 seasons of the New Jersey Devils (1982–83 through to 1986–87)
- 4 includes 12 seasons for Atlanta Thrashers (1999–2000 through to 2010–11) + 2 seasons for Winnipeg Jets (2011–12 through to 2012–13)
- 5 includes 9 seasons of the California Seals, Oakland Seals, California Golden Seals (1967–68 through to 1975–76) + 2 seasons of the Cleveland Barons (1976–77, 1977–78) + 1 season of the Minnesota North Stars (1978–79)
Stanley Cup Final droughts
- 1 includes 17 seasons for Winnipeg Jets (1979–80 through to 1995–96) + 16 seasons for Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97 through to 2012–13)
- 2 includes 18 seasons for Hartford Whalers (1979–80 through to 1996–97) + 4 seasons for Carolina Hurricanes (1997–98 through to 2000–01)
- 3 includes 2 seasons for Kansas City Scouts (1974–75, 1975–76) + 6 seasons for Colorado Rockies (1976–77 through to 1981–82) + 12 seasons for New Jersey Devils (1982–83 through to 1993–94)
- 4 the name of the team was Black Hawks for a majority of the drought (13 of the 18 seasons) before being renamed to Blackhawks in 1986
- 5 note that the although the Quebec Nordiques never made the Stanley Cup Finals during their entire 16 NHL season existence (1979–80 through to 1994–95), after the franchise relocated to Denver to become the Colorado Avalanche, they won the Stanley Cup in their first season, 1995–96
Stanley Cup droughts
- 1 it is common to refer to the duration of the New York Rangers' record Stanley Cup drought as 54 "years" as the length of time between Stanley Cup wins (1940 to 1994) as it is easily calculated and understood. However, in the measuring of post-season consecutive streaks and droughts the use of "seasons" is more appropriate.
- 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 the Winnipeg Jets were the defending Avco World Trophy champions of the WHA when the franchise entered the NHL for the 1979–80 NHL season.
- 4 includes 17 seasons for Winnipeg Jets (1979–80 through to 1995–96) + 16 seasons for Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97 through to 2012–13).
- 5 includes 26 seasons for Minnesota North Stars (1967–68 through to 1992–93) + 5 seasons for Dallas Stars (1993–94 through to 1997–98)
- 6 includes 18 seasons for Hartford Whalers (1979–80 through to 1996–97) + 7 seasons for Carolina Hurricanes (1997–98 through to 2003–04)
Cities/regions awaiting first Stanley Cup
This list only includes cities/regions currently hosting an NHL franchise.
| City/Region | Seasons waiting | Stanley Cup Final appearances |
Current NHL team |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis | 461 | 1967–682, 1968–692, 1969–702 | St. Louis Blues |
| Buffalo | 42 | 1974–75, 1998–99 | Buffalo Sabres |
| Minneapolis–Saint Paul | 383 | 1980–814, 1990–914 | Minnesota Wild |
| Washington, D.C. | 38 | 1997–98 | Washington Capitals |
| San Francisco Bay Area | 305 | never | San Jose Sharks |
| South Florida | 19 | 1995–96 | Florida Panthers |
| Phoenix | 16 | never | Phoenix Coyotes |
| Nashville | 14 | never | Nashville Predators |
| Columbus | 12 | never | Columbus Blue Jackets |
- 1 includes 1 season of the St. Louis Eagles (1934–35) + 45 seasons of the St. Louis Blues (1967–68 through to 2011–12)
- 2 all three Stanley Cup Final appearances by the St. Louis Blues
- 3 includes 26 seasons of the Minnesota North Stars (1967–68 through to 1992–93) + 12 seasons of the Minnesota Wild (2000–01 through to 2011–12)
- 4 both Stanley Cup Final appearances by the Minnesota North Stars
- 5 includes 9 seasons of the California Seals, Oakland Seals, California Golden Seals franchise (1967–68 through to 1975–76) + 21 seasons of the San Jose Sharks (1991–92 through to 2011–12)
- Although the Vancouver Canucks have not won a Stanley Cup in their 41 seasons of play (inception of franchise in 1970–71 through to 2011–12), 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 Ottawa Senators have never won the Stanley Cup in their 19 seasons of play (inception of franchise in 1992–93 through to 2011–12), 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 18 seasons playing in Winnipeg (as of 2011–12), the city celebrated three Stanley Cup championships by the Winnipeg Victorias, the last in 1902, prior to the founding of the NHL in 1917.
