Can they finally break through? Assessing the 'Long National Nightmare' division of NHL's non-playoff teams

Hope springs eternal in the summer for NHL fans who haven't watched their team play since early April.

Could 2024-25 be the season that non-playoff teams from the past campaign make the postseason?

In a four-part series, we examine the non-playoff teams from last season and whether they have improved enough to give their fans hope they'll play beyond early April.

We've put the 16 teams in four tiers — the "Long National Nightmare" division, "Groundhog Day" division , "Scratch-off" division and our bottom tier, the "Puh-leeze" division.

Here's an assessment of teams in the top tier, the "Long National Nightmare Division."

In this particular division, it's starting to feel like an unending nightmare for these teams and their fanbases. These franchises are close to figuring things out, but will they?

4. St. Louis Blues | 43-33-6, 92 points, 17th

The Blues' poaching of winger Dylan Holloway and defenseman Philip Broberg from reigning Western Conference champion Edmonton Oilers were the surprises of the offseason. By going the route of the rarely used offer sheet, St. Louis kept its first-round picks and still acquired two NHL players.

Ownership admitted that a full teardown was not likely in the cards for financial reasons. Instead, the Blues have supplemented a core that while not lacking for talent, struggled to score last season. St. Louis ranked in the bottom five of the NHL in goals scored per 60 minutes, expected goals per 60 minutes and high-danger chances per 60 minutes, according to Natural Stat Trick .

The nightmare: By failing to commit to a true rebuild, the hamster wheel just keeps spinning for the Blues.

3. Minnesota Wild | 39-34-9, 87 points, 20th

The team has a record of overachieving, but the coach responsible (Dean Evason) for much of that is now in Columbus after a rough 5-10-4 start in the Twin Cities last season. Over the offseason, the Wild made two small additions and one minor subtraction, bringing in forwards Yakov Trenin and Jakob Lauko while letting fringe forward Vinny Lettieri walk in free agency. Trenin's defensive play and forechecking should make Minnesota a frustrating team to play during the coming season.

With Minnesota's commitment to team defense, depth in the lineup, star power and goaltending, there's a path for this team to be good. But can it be great?

The nightmare: Minnesota has failed to win a playoff series since 2015.

2. Buffalo Sabres | 39-37-6, 84 points, 22nd

The Sabres are tied with the New York Jets for the longest playoff drought in major North American sports. They haven't won a playoff series since 2007.

In April, the Sabres hired Lindy Ruff — who led the team from 1998-2013 — as head coach.

GM Kevyn Adams has overhauled the bottom six this summer, signing forwards Sam Lafferty, Jason Zucker and Nicolas Aube-Kubel in free agency. The organization also paid a hefty price in trading for forwards Ryan McLeod from Edmonton and Beck Malenstyn from Washington.

The Sabres placed an emphasis on speed and experience with these acquisitions. So, is this finally the answer?

The nightmare: Does Buffalo need a rebuild to fix the problems that developed during their rebuild that they committed to while trying to fix the problems of their original rebuild?

1. New Jersey Devils | 38-39-5, 81 points, 23rd

New Jersey hired former Toronto head coach Sheldon Keefe, tasking him with overhauling the defensive environment in New Jersey, something he had some success with in Toronto .

This offseason, the Devils have added bottom-six forwards Stefan Noesen, Tomas Tatar and Paul Cotter. Top defenseman Dougie Hamilton returns after missing nearly all of last season with a torn pectoral muscle. The team also added Brendan Dillon and Jonathan Kovacevic to the blue line.

The Devils made significant changes in net, supplementing their trade-deadline move of acquiring Jake Allen by also completing a trade for Jakob Markstrom. Much of their season will hinge on Markstrom, Allen and the structure in front of them installed by Keefe.

The Devils have only made the playoffs twice in the past 10 seasons. Can they finally take the next step?

The nightmare: Losing to the Rangers.