Rangers and Red Wings Out of 2025 Playoffs

The New York Rangers and Detroit Red Wings have both failed to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2025, marking a significant disappointment for both franchises. The Rangers, who were once Eastern Conference finalists, struggled due to underperformance from key players like Chris Kreider and goalie Igor Shesterkin, leading to potential trades in the offseason. Meanwhile, the Red Wings, despite a midseason coaching change that saw a brief resurgence, continue their playoff drought, extending their record to nine consecutive missed playoffs, with Vladimir Tarasenko as a potential trade candidate. The Pittsburgh Penguins also missed the playoffs for the third consecutive year, with hopes of avoiding a full rebuild by possibly acquiring new talent in the offseason. Lastly, the Buffalo Sabres have extended their playoff absence to 14 years, prompting considerations of trading players like Alex Tuch to rebuild for the future.