When an NHL team is successful year after year the organization does everything in its power to keep that group together. When a team is not good year after year, the organization makes changes to improve morale in the room. This season many teams failed to live up to expectations. A fe of them have not had success in many seasons, which is why these three teams should seriously think of doing a full rebuild.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Where to begin? Once a proud member of the NHL and a team that won Stanley Cups and had many good seasons has suddenly gone into hiding. While they still have stars, teh team as a whole is not getting the job done. After losing star forward Mitch Marner to the Vegas Golden Knights, everything about this team has failed. Trdes and signings have not worked out. No playoff success. Managaement is failing to do a proper job. This is not the same franchise it was years ago as everything seems to be falling apart.
Toronto has a record of 32-30-13 good for 77 points but are seventh in the Atlantic Division. GM Brad Treliving has lost his job and nobody has filled that position as of yet. The Maple Leafs have made the playoffs 10 of the past 15 seasons, making the quarterfinals in 2012-23 but have failed since then to get passed the second round.
The organization should take a serious look at trading star Auston Matthews to turn this thing around. They still have WIliam Nylander, John Tavares, and Matthew Knies up front and a solid goaltender in Joseph Woll to build around. Scott Wheeler recently put out his latest prospect pool rankings and the Maple Leafs ar #29. Toronto has a combines 20 draft picks over the next three drafts which could account for something. This organization needs a major shakeup to get everyone on track again as this will be the same result if nothing changes.
Players with no movement clauses include Matthews, Nylander, Tavares, Chris Tanev, and Morgan Reilly. PLayers with no trade clauses include Brandon Carlo (8-team no-trade list), Max DOmi (13-team no-trade list), Oliver Ekman-Larsson (16-team no-trade list), Calle Jarnkrok (10-team no-trade list), Dakota Joshua (12-team no-trade list), David Kampf (10-team no-trade list), Jake McCabe, and Anthony Stolarz (16-team no-trade list).
New York Rangers
Another historic hockey franchise that has completely fallen off. The Rangers are 31-35-9 for 71 points and are eighth in the Metropolitan Division. This is their lowest point total since the 2020-21 season, but have made the playoffs five of the past 10 seasons. GM Chris Drury has made some questionable moves including moving captain Jacob Trouba, Chris Kreider, and Filip Chytil.
The Rangers have implemented a roster change ahead of next season as thy have slotted young players Gabe Perreault, Noah Laba, Braden Schneider, and DYlan Garand into the lineup. Liam Greentree, acquired from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for Artemi Panarin, in not NHL-ready and may not be ready for a couple of more seasons. New York has to tear this down completely and trade pieces for younger assets and draft picks. The players they do have are not living up to their potential.
Players with no movement clauses include Adam Fox, Vladislav Gavrikov, J.T. MIller, and MIka Zibanejad. Players with no trade clauses include William Borgen, Jonathan QUick (20-team no-trade list), Igor Shesterkin (10-team no-trade list), Carson Soucy (12-team no-trade list), and Vincent Trocheck (12-team no-trade list).
Calgary Flames
Calgary in an interesting team. They are in a tight division but remain competitive. However, thier spirited play has not put them in a position to win. They traded away key pieces in Nazim Kadri (Colorado Avalanche) and Rasmus Andersson (Vegas Golden Knights) and seem to be heading into rebuild mode. They do have young pieces that could make a difference going forward.
Calgary is 31-35-8 for 70 points and are in seventh place in the tough Pacific Division. They have missed the playoffs in 10 of the past 15 seasons and failed to make it to the second round. Calgary has not finished above fourth place in the last four seasons.
While their average age is 26.71, they do have some nice young players whoa re already making an impact on the roster. Goaltender Dustin Wolf looks like an NHL starter. Defenseman Zayne Parekh has star potential in all three zones. Forwards Samuel Honzek, Matt Coronato, and Joel Farabee are being looked at to make a statement starting next season.
Moves need to happen for the Flames to be serious contenders again. The Pacific Division is one of the toughest divisions in hockey and if Calgary wants to make noise changes need to be made throughout the organization. They are a solid team but in order to move ahead of the teams ahead of them within the division they will need to get creative this offseason to prepare for the 2026-27 season. This offseason will be critical to see how they approach the upcoming season.