3 Teams That Can Make The Jump Into Playoffs Next Season

While 16 teams make the NHL playoffs each season, 16 teams miss the cut. Of those 16 teams that weren't competing in the playoffs this season, there are a few of them that can come back stronger and make additions to make the jump back in.

Utah Mammoth

The Utah Mammoth were a pretty good team this season, their first in Utah. They finished seven games over .500, but it wasn't good enough for them to get into the playoffs. The Mammoth finished with 89 points which was seven back of a playoff spot. Clayton Keller put up a 90 point season, there were four 60 point players, and five players scored 20+ goals. The team's best players are all under 26 years old and starting goalie Karel Vejmelka has hit his prime nicely. With some health, this team is going to do some damage and gain those extra points they need to get into the playoffs.

New York Rangers

The New York Rangers had a blunder of a season where not much went right. There were a number of moves and more are expected this offseason, but the core group can get the job done as we've seen from them winning the Presidents' Trophy last season. Given more opportunity, Alexis Lafreniere can reach his potential, and that may come sooner than expected. The pieces are mostly there, but I expect Chris Kreider to be moved as well. The East is weaker and if the Rangers didn't have a horrible stretch in the middle of the season, they would have been competing in the playoffs this season.

Anaheim Ducks

The Anaheim Ducks are a team to watch out for, especially after hiring Joel Quenneville. He is one of the best coaches to ever coach and the team already improved by a lot from last season to this one. The group is relatively young with some veteran pieces mixed in and the expectation is that most of the younger players are going to take steps to get better again as well. Anaheim finished two games under .500 and 16 points out of a playoff spot, so even though they are the longest shot to make it, big positive strides have continued to be taken and Quenneville could be a real difference maker right off the bat.