As the National Hockey League's (NHL) offseason heats up, fans of the Carolina Hurricanes and Vegas Golden Knights are left wondering: will their teams make a return to the playoffs next season? Both teams had promising campaigns in the 2022-23 season, but ultimately fell short of their goals. The Hurricanes, who have been a consistent playoff contender in recent years, lost in the first round, while the Golden Knights, who were expected to make a deep run, were eliminated in the second round. With the NHL draft and free agency period on the horizon, the Hurricanes and Golden Knights will have opportunities to bolster their rosters and make a push for the Stanley Cup. But can they overcome their past disappointments and make a return to the playoffs?

What's next for Hurricanes, Golden Knights? Could they be back?  USA Today