5 Fringe Playoff Teams to Buy Stock On

Looking ahead to the 2024-25 season, there are a lot of fringe playoff teams. There’s a tier of elite teams but after that, there are at least 15 teams that can make the playoffs or conversely see the season blow up in their face. 

Let’s look at five of those borderline teams that aren’t getting a lot of recognition but will make the playoffs. If these teams were stocks, they would be the ones to buy (although it must be noted that, unlike Coca-Cola, these stocks have a lot more risk).

Buffalo Sabres

The Buffalo Sabres haven’t made the playoffs since 2011, it’s the longest drought in the NHL. Every time they look like they have the pieces to get into the playoffs, they flop and let everyone down. So, what will make this season different?

For starters, their offense has a lot of firepower in it led by Tage Thompson, one of the more dynamic and explosive forwards in the NHL. If he’s healthy, this offense will be fun to watch but more importantly, one of the best in the game. Then there’s the defense which with the Bowen Byram addition, looks incredible.

The goaltending will make or break the Sabres as it did at times last season. That said, this team looks to be great and with the Lindy Ruff hiring, they will play with discipline and accountability. The Sabres were one point away from making the playoffs in 2022-23 and this might be the season they get it done.

Minnesota Wild

Everything went wrong for the Minnesota Wild last season as they never recovered from the slow start. Now, they head into this season with some star power that might make them one of the best teams in the Western Conference.  

They have a great forward unit led by the fast and dynamic Kirill Kaprizov, who can change a game on any shift. The defense meanwhile is anchored by Brock Faber who is one of the best young players in the league. While a slow start doomed them last season, the same won’t happen this time around with this great team.

New Jersey Devils

There’s an argument to be made that the New Jersey Devils aren’t even a fringe playoff team. They overhauled their roster but the top-end talent is too good to let them down for a second season in a row. 

The big thing is if Jack Hughes and Dougie Hamilton can stay healthy. Hughes is a Hart Trophy-caliber forward when he’s on the ice as he can gash any team with open ice. Hamilton is a great two-way defenseman who makes an impact on both ends of the ice. If both skaters remain in the lineup, the Devils will be one of the league’s best teams plus a fun one to watch.

Ottawa Senators

There’s plenty of reason to be hesitant of the Ottawa Senators. They were a mess last season and didn’t upgrade in the offseason. However, the big move they did make this summer might be the big fix that they needed. They finally have a good goaltender with the addition of Linus Ullmark. 

A lot must go right for the Senators. Joshua Norris must return to form, something he hasn’t done since his shoulder injury in 2022. Shane Pinto must step up and fill the middle-six center void. Ullmark will be tasked as the primary start and won’t split start as he’s done previously in his career. 

That said, with the roster the Senators have, expect them to finish in a playoff position. The top six, led by Brady Tkachuk and Tim Stutzle, can overwhelm anybody while the defense has two reliable pairings, even with Jakob Chychrun playing elsewhere.

Winnipeg Jets

It’s easy to doubt this team and expect a dropoff from the Winnipeg Jets. They are older and lost a few big names in the offseason. That said, there’s good reason to buy in on a team that finished in second place in the Central Division a season ago. 

The Jets have a great defensive unit and better goaltending. Connor Hellebuyck is the reigning Vezina Trophy winner and is the most dominant goaltender in the NHL. His great play paired with a shutdown defense can get this team back to the playoffs.

Other Fringe Teams to Buy 

The New York Islanders are a team that stands out. They are easy to write off but with the Mathew Barzal and Bo Horvat connection taking off, plus the goaltending duo of Ilya Sorokin and Semyon Varlamov holding down the fort, expect this team to be back in the playoffs.   

Another team to consider is the Chicago Blackhawks with their young skaters continuing to improve. Connor Bedard is a generational talent and in his second season in the NHL, he can make this team competitive.

Speaking of young teams, the Utah hockey team (which is still pending a nickname) can leap into the playoffs. They have a great young core led by Clayton Keller and Logan Cooley that can make them one of the best teams in the Central Division.  

With more than half the league being in this fringe category, there are a lot of teams to choose from. Ultimately, there are a handful worth believing as they will make that push for the playoffs.