For the first time in NHL history, the Original Six teams of Detroit, Boston, Chicago, and the New York Rangers all missed the playoffs. Detroit Red Wings, with 11 league championships, struggled under general manager Steve Yzerman despite expectations of improvement. The Chicago Blackhawks, once a dominant force in the league, finished last in the Central Division for the third consecutive year and will rank above only San Jose in the NHL.
The New York Rangers, after a strong previous season, fell short of playoff contention under coach Peter Laviolette. Meanwhile, the Boston Bruins, who started the season with high hopes, finished with the fewest points in the Eastern Conference and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2016. The team's rebuilding phase was highlighted by trading captain Brad Marchand last month, marking the end of an era for the franchise that won the Stanley Cup in 2011.