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 disbanded 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 drought in NHL history belongs to the Toronto Maple Leafs (54 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 54-season drought from the Finals is the longest in NHL history. In 2010, the Chicago Blackhawks ended what was the second-longest 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 Buffalo Sabres have the longest active drought for missing the playoffs at 13 consecutive seasons, a league record, and also the longest active playoff series winning drought at 17 seasons. The Florida Panthers have the longest playoff series winning drought in league history at 24 seasons. The 
==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 2023–24 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 	13 seasons
Detroit Red Wings 	2015–16 	8 seasons
Ottawa Senators 	2016–17 	7 seasons
Anaheim Ducks 	2017–18 	6 seasons
San Jose Sharks 	2018–19 	5 seasons
Arizona Coyotes 	2019–20 	4 seasons
Chicago Blackhawks 	2019–20 	4 seasons
Columbus Blue Jackets	2019–20 	4 seasons
Philadelphia Flyers 	2019–20 	4 seasons
Montreal Canadiens 	2020–21 	3 season
Calgary Flames 	2021–22 	2 seasons
Pittsburgh Penguins 	2021–22 	2 seasons
St. Louis Blues 	2021–22 	2 seasons
Minnesota Wild 	2022–23 	1 season
Seattle Kraken 	2022–23 	1 season
New Jersey Devils 	2022–23 	1 seasons
===Division championship droughts===
This is a list of the teams and the number of seasons since they have won the Division championship. This list does not include the division champions in the 2023–24 NHL season: the Dallas Stars, Florida Panthers, New York Rangers, and Vancouver Canucks.
Team 	Last Divisionchampionship win 	Divisionchampionship drought
Edmonton Oilers 	1986–87 	36 seasons
New York Islanders 	1987–88 	35 seasons
Los Angeles Kings 	1990–91 	32 seasons
Columbus Blue Jackets	never (inception of franchise in 2000–01)	23 seasons
Ottawa Senators 	2005–06 	18 seasons
Winnipeg Jets 	2006–07 	17 seasons1
Minnesota Wild 	2007–08 	16 seasons
Buffalo Sabres 	2009–10 	14 seasons
New Jersey Devils 	2009–10 	14 seasons
Detroit Red Wings 	2010–11 	13 seasons
Philadelphia Flyers 	2010–11 	13 seasons
San Jose Sharks 	2010–11 	13 seasons
Arizona Coyotes 	2011–12 	12 seasons2
Anaheim Ducks 	2016–17 	7 seasons
Chicago Blackhawks 	2016–17 	7 seasons
Montreal Canadiens 	2016–17 	7 seasons
Nashville Predators 	2018–19 	5 seasons
Tampa Bay Lightning 	2018–19 	5 seasons
Pittsburgh Penguins 	2019–20 	4 seasons
St. Louis Blues 	2019–20 	4 seasons
Washington Capitals 	2019–20 	4 seasons
Toronto Maple Leafs 	2020–21 	3 seasons
Seattle Kraken 	never (inception of franchise in 2021–22)	3 seasons
Calgary Flames 	2021–22 	2 seasons
Boston Bruins 	2022–23 	1 season
Carolina Hurricanes 	2022–23 	1 season
Colorado Avalanche 	2022–23 	1 season
Vegas Golden Knights 	2022–23 	1 season
:1 includes 4 seasons for Atlanta Thrashers (2007–08 through to 2010–11) + 13 seasons for Winnipeg Jets (2011–12 through to 2023–24)
:2 franchise changed its name in 2014 from Phoenix to Arizona Coyotes
===Presidents' Trophy droughts===
This is a list of the teams and the number of seasons since they have won the Presidents' Trophy as the regular season champions. This list does not include the most recent Presidents' Trophy champions: the New York Rangers.
Team 	Last Presidents' Trophy1 	Subsequent Presidents'Trophy finalists	Presidents' Trophy drought
Toronto Maple Leafs 	1962–63 	 	60 seasons1
Los Angeles Kings 	never (inception of franchise in 1967–68) 	 	56 seasons1
New Jersey Devils 	never (inception of franchise in 1974–75) 	3 : 1993–94, 1997–98, 1998–99 	49 seasons1,2
Montreal Canadiens 	1977–78 	4 : 1978–79, 1987–88, 1988–89, 2014–15	45 seasons1
Carolina Hurricanes 	never (franchise entered the NHL in 1979–80)	1 : 2022–23 	44 seasons1,3
Arizona Coyotes 	never (franchise entered the NHL in 1979–80)	 	44 seasons1,4
New York Islanders 	1981–82 	1 : 1983–84 	41 seasons1
Philadelphia Flyers 	1984–85 	2 : 1985–86, 1986–87 	38 seasons1
Edmonton Oilers 	1986–87 	 	36 seasons
Calgary Flames 	1988–89 	2 : 1989–90, 2018–19 	34 seasons
Pittsburgh Penguins 	1992–93 	2 : 2012–13, 2016–17 	30 seasons
Anaheim Ducks 	never (inception of franchise in 1993–94) 	1 : 2013–14 	30 seasons
Dallas Stars 	1998–99 	3 : 2002–03, 2015–16, 2023–24 	24 seasons
Winnipeg Jets 	never (inception of franchise in 1999–2000) 	1 : 2017–18 	24 seasons5
St. Louis Blues 	1999–2000 	1 : 2019–20 	23 seasons
Columbus Blue Jackets	never (inception of franchise in 2000–01) 	 	23 seasons
Minnesota Wild 	never (inception of franchise in 2000–01) 	 	23 seasons
Ottawa Senators 	2002–03 	1 : 2005–06 	20 seasons
Buffalo Sabres 	2006–07 	 	17 seasons
Detroit Red Wings 	2007–08 	 	16 seasons
San Jose Sharks 	2008–09 	1 : 2009–10 	15 seasons
Vancouver Canucks 	2011–12 	 	12 seasons
Chicago Blackhawks 	2012–13 	 	11 seasons
Washington Capitals 	2016–17 	 	7 seasons
Vegas Golden Knights 	never (inception of franchise in 2017–18) 	1 : 2020–21 	7 seasons
Nashville Predators 	2017–18 	 	6 seasons
Tampa Bay Lightning 	2018–19 	 	5 seasons
Colorado Avalanche 	2020–21 	1 : 2021–22 	3 seasons
Seattle Kraken 	never (inception of franchise in 2021–22) 	 	3 seasons
Florida Panthers 	2021–22 	 	2 seasons
Boston Bruins 	2022–23 	 	1 season
:1 The trophy was introduced at the start of the 1985–86 NHL season.
:2 includes 2 seasons of the Kansas City Scouts (1974–75 through to 1975–76) + 6 seasons of the Colorado Rockies (1976–77 through to 1981–82) + 41 season of the New Jersey Devils (1982–83 through to 2023–24)
:3 includes 18 seasons of the Hartford Whalers (1979–80 through to 1996–97) + 26 seasons of the Carolina Hurricanes (1997–98 through to 2023–24)
:4 includes 17 seasons of the Winnipeg Jets (1979–80 through to 1995–96) + 27 seasons of the Phoenix/Arizona Coyotes (1996–97 through to 2023–24)
:5 includes 11 seasons of the Atlanta Thrashers (1999–2000 through to 2010–11) + 13 seasons of the Winnipeg Jets (2011–12 through to 2023–24)
===Post-season series winning 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-four teams in this list – the sixteen 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, Dallas Stars, Edmonton Oilers, Florida Panthers, New York Rangers, and Vancouver Canucks – all won a post-season series in the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs.
Team 	Last post-seasonseries win	Subsequent post-seasonseries losses 	Postseasonseries winning drought
Buffalo Sabres 	2006–07 	2 : 2009–10, 2010–11 	017 seasons
Detroit Red Wings 	2012–13 	3 : 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16 	011 seasons
Los Angeles Kings 	2013–14 	5 : 2015–16, 2017–18, 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24 	010 seasons
Minnesota Wild 	2014–15 	7 : 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2019–20, 2020–21, 2021–22, 2022–23	09 seasons
Anaheim Ducks 	2016–17 	1 : 2017–18 	07 seasons
Ottawa Senators 	2016–17 	 	07 seasons
Nashville Predators 	2017–18 	5 : 2018–19, 2019–20, 2020–21, 2021–22, 2023–24 	06 seasons
Pittsburgh Penguins 	2017–18 	4 : 2018–19, 2019–20, 2020–21, 2021–22 	06 seasons
Washington Capitals 	2017–18 	5 : 2018–19, 2019–20, 2020–21, 2021–22, 2023–24 	06 seasons
San Jose Sharks 	2018–19 	 	05 seasons
Arizona Coyotes 	2019–20 	 	04 seasons
Chicago Blackhawks 	2019–20 	 	04 seasons
Columbus Blue Jackets	2019–20 	 	04 seasons
Philadelphia Flyers 	2019–20 	 	04 seasons
Montreal Canadiens 	2020–21 	 	3 seasons
New York Islanders 	2020–21 	2 : 2022–23, 2023–24 	3 seasons
Winnipeg Jets 	2020–21 	2 : 2022–23, 2023–24 	3 seasons
Calgary Flames 	2021–22 	 	2 seasons
St. Louis Blues 	2021–22 	 	02 seasons
Tampa Bay Lightning 	2021–22 	2 : 2022–23, 2023–24 	2 seasons
New Jersey Devils 	2022–23 	 	1 season
Seattle Kraken 	2022–23 	 	1 season
Toronto Maple Leafs 	2022–23 	1 : 2023–24 	1 season
Vegas Golden Knights 	2022–23 	1 : 2023–24 	1 season
===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 2024 Stanley Cup Finals: the Edmonton Oilers and the Florida Panthers.
Team 	Last appearancein Stanley Cup Finals 	Subsequent ConferenceFinals losses 	Stanley CupFinals drought
Toronto Maple Leafs 	1966–67 	5: 1977–78, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1998–99, 2001–02	56 seasons
Arizona Coyotes 	never (franchise entered the NHL in 1979–80)	1: 2011–12 	44 seasons1
New York Islanders 	1983–84 	3: 1992–93, 2019–20, 2020–21 	39 seasons
Buffalo Sabres 	1998–99 	2: 2005–06, 2006–07 	24 seasons
Winnipeg Jets 	never (inception of franchise in 1999–2000) 	1: 2017–18 	24 seasons2
Columbus Blue Jackets	never (inception of franchise in 2000–01) 	 	23 seasons
Minnesota Wild 	never (inception of franchise in 2000–01) 	1: 2002–03 	23 seasons
Calgary Flames 	2003–04 	 	19 seasons
Carolina Hurricanes 	2005–06 	3: 2008–09, 2018–19, 2022–23 	018 seasons
Anaheim Ducks 	2006–07 	2: 2014–15, 2016–17 	017 seasons
Ottawa Senators 	2006–07 	1: 2016–17 	017 seasons
Detroit Red Wings 	2008–09 	 	015 seasons
Philadelphia Flyers 	2009–10 	 	014 seasons
Vancouver Canucks 	2010–11 	 	013 seasons
New Jersey Devils 	2011–12 	 	012 seasons
Los Angeles Kings 	2013–14 	 	010 seasons
New York Rangers 	2013–14 	3: 2014–15, 2021–22, 2023–24 	010 seasons
Chicago Blackhawks 	2014–15 	 	09 seasons
San Jose Sharks 	2015–16 	1: 2018–19 	08 seasons
Nashville Predators 	2016–17 	 	07 seasons
Pittsburgh Penguins 	2016–17 	 	07 seasons
Washington Capitals 	2017–18 	 	6 seasons
Boston Bruins 	2018–19 	 	5 seasons
St. Louis Blues 	2018–19 	 	5 seasons
Dallas Stars 	2019–20 	2: 2022–23, 2023–24 	4 seasons
Montreal Canadiens 	2020–21 	 	3 seasons
Seattle Kraken 	never (inception of franchise in 2021–22) 	 	3 seasons
Colorado Avalanche 	2021–22 	 	2 seasons
Edmonton Oilers 	2021–22 	 	2 seasons
Vegas Golden Knights 	2022–23 	 	1 season
:1 includes 17 seasons for Winnipeg Jets (1979–80 through to 1995–96) + 27 seasons for Phoenix/Arizona Coyotes (1996–97 through to 2023–24)
:2 includes 11 seasons for Atlanta Thrashers (1999–2000 through to 2010–11) + 13 seasons for Winnipeg Jets (2011–12 through to 2023–24)
===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 Vegas Golden Knights.
Team 	Last Stanley Cup 	Subsequent Stanley CupFinals losses 	Stanley Cupdrought
Toronto Maple Leafs 	1966–67 	 	56 seasons
Buffalo Sabres 	never (inception of franchise in 1970–71) 	2 : 1974–75, 1998–99 	53 seasons
Vancouver Canucks 	never (inception of franchise in 1970–71) 	3 : 1981–82, 1993–94, 2010–11 	53 seasons
Philadelphia Flyers 	1974–75 	6 : 1975–76, 1979–80, 1984–85, 1986–87, 1996–97, 2009–10	48 seasons
Arizona Coyotes 	never (franchise entered the NHL in 1979–80)	 	44 seasons1
New York Islanders 	1982–83 	1 : 1983–84 	40 seasons
Calgary Flames 	1988–89 	1 : 2003–04 	34 seasons
Edmonton Oilers 	1989–90 	1 : 2005–06 	32 seasons
San Jose Sharks 	never (inception of franchise in 1991–92) 	1 : 2015–16 	32 seasons
Ottawa Senators 	never (inception of franchise in 1992–93) 	1 : 2006–07 	31 seasons
Montreal Canadiens 	1992–93 	1 : 2020–21 	30 seasons
Florida Panthers 	never (inception of franchise in 1993–94) 	2 : 1995–96, 2022–23 	29 seasons
New York Rangers 	1993–94 	1 : 2013–14 	29 seasons
Nashville Predators 	never (inception of franchise in 1998–99) 	1 : 2016–17 	25 seasons
Dallas Stars 	1998–99 	2 : 1999–2000, 2019–20 	24 seasons
Winnipeg Jets 	never (inception of franchise in 1999–2000) 	 	24 seasons2
Columbus Blue Jackets	never (inception of franchise in 2000–01) 	 	23 seasons
Minnesota Wild 	never (inception of franchise in 2000–01) 	 	23 seasons
New Jersey Devils 	2002–03 	1 : 2011–12 	20 seasons
Carolina Hurricanes 	2005–06 	 	018 seasons
Anaheim Ducks 	2006–07 	 	017 seasons
Detroit Red Wings 	2007–08 	1 : 2008–09 	016 seasons
Boston Bruins 	2010–11 	2 : 2012–13, 2018–19 	013 seasons
Los Angeles Kings 	2013–14 	 	010 seasons
Chicago Blackhawks 	2014–15 	 	09 seasons
Pittsburgh Penguins 	2016–17 	 	07 seasons
Washington Capitals 	2017–18 	 	06 seasons
St. Louis Blues 	2018–19 	 	05 seasons
Tampa Bay Lightning 	2020–21 	1: 2021–22 	02 season
Seattle Kraken 	never (inception of franchise in 2021–22) 	 	3 seasons
Colorado Avalanche 	2021–22 	 	02 seasons
Vegas Golden Knights 	2022–23) 	 	01 season
: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 RoundAppearances1	Second RoundAppearances2	Conference FinalsAppearances3	Stanley Cup FinalsAppearances	Fewest wins short of Stanley Cup
Vancouver Canucks 	1970–71 	28 	13 	3 	3 	01 win short : 1993–94, 2010–11
Florida Panthers 	1993–94 	8 	3 	2 	2 	01 win short : 2023–24
Buffalo Sabres 	1970–71 	27 	15 	6 	2 	02 wins short : 1974–75, 1998–99
San Jose Sharks 	1991–92 	21 	15 	5 	1 	02 wins short : 2015–16
Nashville Predators 	1998–99 	15 	5 	1 	1 	2 wins short : 2016–17
Ottawa Senators 	1992–93 	16 	7 	3 	1 	03 wins short : 2006–07
Arizona Coyotes4 	1979–80 	20 	3 	1 	 	07 wins short : 2011–12
Winnipeg Jets5 	1999–2000 	7 	2 	1 	 	7 wins short : 2017–18
Minnesota Wild 	2000–01 	12 	3 	1 	 	08 wins short : 2002–03
Seattle Kraken 	2021–22 	1 	1 	 	 	9 wins short : 2022-23
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 	 	013 seasons
Florida Panthers 	1999–2000 	2011–12 	10 seasons1
Edmonton Oilers 	2005–06 	2016–17 	010 seasons
Colorado Rockies / New Jersey Devils 	1977–78 	1987–88 	09 seasons2
Carolina Hurricanes 	2008–09 	2018–19 	09 seasons
California Golden Seals / Cleveland Barons3	1969–70 	never (merger of franchise after 1977–78)	08 seasons4
Boston Bruins 	1958–59 	1967–68 	08 seasons
Washington Capitals 	never (inception of franchise in 1974–75)	1982–83 	08 seasons
Detroit Red Wings 	2015–16 	 	08 seasons
Detroit Red Wings 	1969–70 	1977–78 	07 seasons
New York Islanders 	1993–94 	2001–02 	07 seasons
Calgary Flames 	1995–96 	2003–04 	07 seasons
New York Rangers 	1996–97 	2005–06 	07 seasons1
Columbus Blue Jackets 	never (inception of franchise in 2000–01)	2008–09 	07 seasons1
Toronto Maple Leafs 	2003–04 	2012–13 	07 seasons1
Atlanta Thrashers / Winnipeg Jets 	2006–07 	2014–15 	07 seasons5
Phoenix / Arizona Coyotes 	2011–12 	2019–20 	07 seasons6
Ottawa Senators 	2016–17 	 	07 seasons
: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
===Division championship droughts===
Team 	Last Divisionchampionship win 	Next Divisionchampionship win	Divisionchampionship drought
Edmonton Oilers 	1986–87 	 	36 seasons1
New York Islanders 	1987–88 	 	35 seasons1
Toronto Maple Leafs 	1937–382 	1999–00 	32 seasons
Los Angeles Kings 	1990–91 	 	32 seasons1
Winnipeg Jets / Phoenix Coyotes 	never (franchise entered the NHL in 1979–80)	2011–12 	31 seasons1,3
New York Rangers 	1931–322 	1989–90 	28 seasons
Los Angeles Kings 	never (inception of franchise in 1967–68) 	1990–91 	23 seasons
Pittsburgh Penguins 	never (inception of franchise in 1967–68) 	1990–914 	23 seasons
Columbus Blue Jackets 	never (inception of franchise in 2000–01) 	 	23 seasons1
Kansas City Scouts / Colorado Rockies / New Jersey Devils	never (inception of franchise in 1974–75) 	1996–97 	22 seasons5
:1 no post-season occurred in 2005, due to the 2004–05 NHL Lockout
:2 from 1938–1967 the NHL did not have any divisions.
:3 includes 17 seasons of the Winnipeg Jets (1979–80 through to 1995–96) + 14 seasons of the Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97 through to 2010–11)
:4 won the Stanley Cup in the same year.
:5 includes 2 seasons of the Kansas City Scouts (1974–75 through to 1975–76) + 6 seasons of the Colorado Rockies (1976–77 through to 1981–82) + 14 seasons of the New Jersey Devils (1982–83 through to 1995–96)
===Presidents' Trophy droughts===
Team 	Last Presidents' Trophy1 	Subsequent Presidents'Trophy finalists	Next Presidents' Trophy	Presidents' Trophy drought
Toronto Maple Leafs 	1962–63 	 	 	59 seasons
Los Angeles Kings 	never (inception of franchise in 1967–68) 	 	 	55 seasons
New York Rangers 	1941–42 	4 : 1957–58, 1967–68, 1970–71, 1971–72	1991–92 	49 seasons
Kansas City Scouts / Colorado Rockies / New Jersey Devils	never (inception of franchise in 1974–75) 	3 : 1993–94, 1997–98, 1998–99 	 	48 seasons2
Montreal Canadiens 	1977–78 	4 : 1978–79, 1987–88, 1988–89, 2014–15	 	44 seasons
Hartford Whalers / Carolina Hurricanes 	never (franchise entered the NHL in 1979–80)	1 : 2022–23 	 	43 seasons3
Winnipeg Jets / Arizona Coyotes 	never (franchise entered the NHL in 1979–80)	 	 	43 seasons4
Chicago Black Hawks 	never (inception of franchise in 1926–27) 	3 : 1962–63, 1963–64, 1965–66 	1966–67 	40 seasons
New York Islanders 	1981–82 	1 : 1983–84 	 	40 seasons
Vancouver Canucks 	never (inception of franchise in 1970–71) 	 	2010–11 	39 seasons
:1 trophy was introduced at the start of the 1985–86
:2 includes 2 seasons of the Kansas City Scouts (1974–75 through to 1975–76) + 6 seasons of the Colorado Rockies (1976–77 through to 1981–82) + 40 season of the New Jersey Devils (1982–83 through to 2022–23)
:3 includes 18 seasons of the Hartford Whalers (1979–80 through to 1996–97) + 25 seasons of the Carolina Hurricanes (1997–98 through to 2022–23)
:4 includes 17 seasons of the Winnipeg Jets (1979–80 through to 1995–96) + 26 seasons of the Phoenix/Arizona Coyotes (1996–97 through to 2022–23)
===Post-season series winning droughts===
Team 	Previous post-seasonseries win 	Intervening post-seasonseries losses 	Next post-seasonseries win	Post-seasonseries winning drought
Florida Panthers 	1995–96 	6 : 1996–97, 1999–2000, 2011–12, 2015–16, 2019–20, 2020–21 	2021–22 	24 seasons
Winnipeg Jets / Phoenix Coyotes1 	1986–87 	12 : 1987–88, 1989–90, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1995–96, 1996–97, 1997–98, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2001–02, 2009–10, 2010–11	2011–12 	23 seasons2
New York Islanders 	1992–93 	07 : 1993–94, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2003–04, 2006–07, 2012–13, 2014–15 	2015–16 	21 seasons
New York Rangers 	1949–50 	08 : 1955–56, 1956–57, 1957–58, 1961–62, 1966–67, 1967–68, 1968–69, 1969–70 	1970–71 	20 seasons
Atlanta Thrashers / Winnipeg Jets 	never (inception of franchise in 1999–2000)	02 : 2006–07, 2014–15 	2017–18 	17 seasons3
Columbus Blue Jackets 	never (inception of franchise in 2000–01) 	04 : 2008–09, 2013–14, 2016–17, 2017–18 	2018–19 	17 seasons
Toronto Maple Leafs 	2003–04 	7 : 2012–13, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2019–20, 2020–21, 2021–22 	2022–23 	17 seasons
Buffalo Sabres 	2006–07 	2 : 2009–10, 2010–11 	 	17 seasons
Chicago Black Hawks 	1943–44 	04 : 1945–46, 1952–53, 1958–59, 1959–60 	1960–61 	16 seasons
Hartford Whalers / Carolina Hurricanes	1985–86 	08 : 1986–87, 1987–88, 1988–89, 1989–90, 1990–91, 1991–92, 1998–99, 2000–01 	2001–02 	15 seasons4
Calgary Flames 	1988–89 	06 : 1989–90, 1990–91, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1994–95, 1995–96 	2003–04 	14 seasons
: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 ConferenceFinals 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	 	56 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 	 	44 seasons1
New York Islanders 	1983–84 	3: 1992–93, 2019–20, 2020-21 	 	39 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 	 	2022-23 	25 seasons
Buffalo Sabres 	1998–99 	2: 2005–06, 2006–07 	25 seasons 	
Buffalo Sabres 	1974–75 	2: 1979–80, 1997–98 	1998–99 	23 seasons
Atlanta Thrashers / Winnipeg Jets	never (inception of franchise in 1999–2000) 	1: 2017–18 	24 seasons2 	
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) + 27 seasons for Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97 through to 2021–24)
===Stanley Cup droughts===
Team 	Previous Stanley Cup 	Intervening Stanley CupFinals losses 	Next Stanley Cup	Stanley Cup drought
Toronto Maple Leafs 	1966–67 	 	 	56 seasons
New York Rangers 	1939–40 	3 : 1949–50, 1971–72, 1978–79 	1993–94 	53 seasons1
Buffalo Sabres 	never (inception of franchise in 1970–71)	2 : 1974–75, 1998–99 	 	53 seasons
Vancouver Canucks 	never (inception of franchise in 1970–71)	3 : 1981–82, 1993–94, 2010–11 	 	53 seasons
St. Louis Blues 	never (inception of franchise in 1967–68)	3 : 1967–68, 1968–69, 1969–70 	2018–19 	50 seasons
Philadelphia Flyers 	1974–75 	6 : 1975–76, 1979–80, 1984–85, 1986–87, 1996–97, 2009–10	 	48 seasons
Chicago Black Hawks2	1960–61 	5 : 1961–62, 1964–65, 1970–71, 1972–73, 1991–92 	2009–10 	47 seasons
Arizona Coyotes 	never (inception of franchise in 1979–80)	 	 	44 seasons3
Los Angeles Kings 	never (inception of franchise in 1967–68)	1 : 1992–93 	2011–12 	43 seasons
Washington Capitals 	never (inception of franchise in 1974–75)	1 : 1997–98 	2017–18 	42 seasons
Detroit Red Wings 	1954–55 	6 : 1955–56, 1960–61, 1962–63, 1963–64, 1965–66, 1994–95	1996–97 	41 seasons
: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 CupFinals appearances	Current NHL team
Buffalo 	530 	1974–75, 1998–99 	Buffalo Sabres
Minneapolis–Saint Paul	491 	1980–812, 1990–912 	Minnesota Wild
San Francisco Bay 	413 	2015–16 	San Jose Sharks
Miami 	300 	1995–96, 2022–23, 2023–24 	Florida Panthers
Phoenix 	270 	Never 	Arizona Coyotes
Nashville 	250 	2016–17 	Nashville Predators
Columbus 	23 	Never 	Columbus Blue Jackets
: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 began 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. The 1992–93 Montreal Canadiens remain the last Canadian club to go all the way and win the Stanley Cup.
* Last time that all Canadian teams qualified for the playoffs: 1985–86
* Last time that no 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: 2023–24 (Edmonton vs. Vancouver)
* Last time all the Canadian teams were eliminated by the end of the second round: 2022–23 (Edmonton and Toronto)
* Last Conference Finals appearance by a Canadian team: 2023–24 (Edmonton)
* Last all-Canadian Conference Finals: 1993–94 (Toronto vs. Vancouver)
* Last Stanley Cup Finals appearance by a Canadian team: 2023–24 (Edmonton)
* Last all-Canadian Stanley Cup Finals: 1988–89 (Calgary vs. Montreal)
* Last Stanley Cup won by a Canadian team: 1992–93 (Montreal)
==See also==
*List of NHL franchise post-season appearance streaks
==References==
Post-season droughts
Post-season droughts
NHL
Post-season droughts