Which NHL teams could make postseason after missing last season?

Among the six team that dropped out were the Toronto Maple Leafs , who tumbled after a nine-season playoff run. The Florida Panthers ' back-to-back championship run also ended as major injuries kept them out of the playoffs.

A six-team turnover might be a little ambitious this year, but plenty of teams showed improvement during the offseason .

Forward Brady Tkachuk was traded to the Florida Panthers, where he will join brother Matthew.