League: NHL Sport: Hockey Country: United States Category: Scores & Results

Discussion centers on Eastern Conference's last place team for next season

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 23, 2026, 1:03 PM

Last updated Jul 23, 2026

Discussion centers on Eastern Conference's last place team for next season

Summary

The debate about which team will finish last in the Eastern Conference next season continues, sparked by a friend's question. Despite several teams underperforming last year, all 16 teams are attempting to compete for playoff spots this summer. Notable candidates discussed include the Detroit Red Wings, New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Islanders, and Columbus Blue Jackets. Each team contends with various challenges, including player trades, injuries, and uncertain futures. The conversation highlights the unpredictability of the NHL as teams seek improvement for the upcoming season.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

By the Numbers

•Debate ongoing about the last place team in the Eastern Conference.
•Teams like Detroit, New York Rangers, and Pittsburgh face significant challenges.
•All Eastern teams aim to improve and compete for playoffs next season.
•Last season's standings do not predict future performance in the NHL.

Latest Updates

1:03 PMYahoo Sports — Hot takes: Who is going to be last in the East?

What they're saying

"
A friend of mine offered an interesting question, mostly just to chat about for a little and move on but it’s been sticking in my mind for a while now. The question was who will be in last place in the Eastern Conference next season? It’s been an interesting point to ponder on in the […]
— Yahoo Sports

Related Teams & Leagues

Detroit Red Wings New York Rangers Pittsburgh Penguins NHL Hockey