For the first time since the mid-1920s, none of the four American "Original Six" NHL franchises — the New York Rangers, Detroit Red Wings, Boston Bruins, or Chicago Blackhawks — will appear in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. This historic absence was confirmed after the Rangers and Red Wings were officially eliminated from contention on Saturday.
These storied franchises, which helped shape NHL history from 1942 to 1967, have combined for 27 Stanley Cup championships. And while teams like Boston, Detroit, and Chicago have hoisted the Cup in the last two decades, the 2025 NHL postseason will go on without them — a significant moment in league history.
Detroit Red Wings: A Once-Dominant Dynasty in Decline
The Red Wings, once the NHL’s powerhouse from 1995 to 2010, have now missed the playoffs for a franchise-record ninth consecutive season — second only to the Buffalo Sabres' 13-year drought. Despite early promise, Detroit fell short again this year, just one season after losing a tiebreaker for the final Eastern Conference spot.
Led by GM Steve Yzerman since 2019 — the architect of Tampa Bay’s rise — the Red Wings have failed to recapture their championship pedigree. Detroit has 11 Stanley Cups, with four earned in six Finals appearances between 1995 and 2008.
Chicago Blackhawks: From Dynasty to Draft Hopefuls
The Chicago Blackhawks, currently in last place in the Central Division for the third straight year, have also seen a dramatic fall from grace. Between 2010 and 2015, they captured three Stanley Cups, bringing their total to four.
Now, Chicago turns its focus to the 2025 NHL Draft Lottery, holding the second-best odds behind the San Jose Sharks. They’ll hope to add complementary talent alongside young star Connor Bedard, the No. 1 overall pick in 2023.
Bruins, Rangers Fall Short After High Expectations
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New York Rangers and Boston Bruins entered the season with playoff aspirations, but both collapsed under the weight of expectations.
New York Rangers: A Season That Unraveled
After reaching the Eastern Conference Finals and topping the league with 114 points last season, the Rangers were considered Cup contenders. However, under coach Peter Laviolette, the team faltered after a strong start.
- Captain Jacob Trouba was traded mid-season
- Power play units struggled
- Mika Zibanejad’s scoring dipped, with only 58 points so far
The Rangers have now won just one Stanley Cup in the past 85 years — in 1994.
Boston Bruins: From Presidents' Trophy to Rebuild
The Bruins, just two seasons removed from winning the Presidents’ Trophy, saw their season spiral early. Coach Jim Montgomery, 2023’s Jack Adams Award winner, was fired after 20 games. Injuries and inconsistent goaltending added to the woes.
By the trade deadline, GM Don Sweeney began a rebuild, trading veterans Brad Marchand and Charlie Coyle. Boston now owns the fourth-best draft lottery odds, with a slim chance at the No. 1 pick.
Sun Belt Surge & Canadian Drought Continue
While these legacy American teams falter, franchises in the Sun Belt — including Florida, Tampa Bay, and Vegas — have stepped into the spotlight. These teams have won the Stanley Cup in four of the last six seasons.
Meanwhile, the Canadian Stanley Cup drought continues. No Canadian team has won the Cup since the Montreal Canadiens in 1993.
When Do the NHL Playoffs Start?
The 2025 NHL Playoffs begin Saturday, with matchups and seeding finalized. Eleven teams, including the Bruins and Blackhawks, remain in the hunt for the No. 1 pick in the NHL Draft Lottery.
