Deja vu all over again: Assessing the 'Groundhog Day' division of NHL's non-playoff teams

7. Pittsburgh Penguins | 38-32-12, 88 points, 19th

Longtime center Jeff Carter retired after a difficult final season, and the Penguins allowed several fringe players to walk, including once-highly touted defense prospect Pierre-Olivier Joseph. Journeyman defender Matthew Grzelcyk joining Pittsburgh is an upgrade. 

The Penguins are banking on a different mix in their depth in dealing winger Reilly Smith, who struggled to score. They added center Blake Lizotte and winger Anthony Beauvillier in free agency and traded for centers Kevin Hayes from St. Louis and Cody Glass from Nashville.

Glass is a former sixth overall draft pick who has had an up-and-down career. Hayes has struggled to find his game for a few seasons now, but he offers experience as a big forward who can play on both special teams units.

Pittsburgh is hoping these small gambles hit before its veteran core, which includes 37-year-old Sidney Crosby, becomes a burden.

6. Seattle Kraken | 34-35-13, 81 points, 25th

Seattle had a difficult time scoring last season, finishing 28th as a team in five-on-five goals and 24th in high-danger chances created per 60 minutes, according to Natural Stat Trick.

In the offseason, Seattle invested heavily in offense. It hopes to get contributions from 2021 fourth overall pick Shane Wright, a center, and free-agent forward Chandler Stephenson. The best addition, though, is defenseman Brandon Montour, who the Kraken hope will spark a middling power play. 

Seattle paid big money to Stephenson and Montour in the hopes that they'd help improve the team immediately. If those signings don't pan out, Seattle could be in purgatory for a while.  

5. Detroit Red Wings | 41-32-9, 91 points, 18th

After making the playoffs for 25 consecutive seasons, the Red Wings have missed the postseason for eight straight seasons. Last season, Detroit seemed primed to end that streak, but it limped to an 8-12-3 finish and missed the postseason.

In addition to re-signing winger Patrick Kane in the offseason, the Wings added longtime scoring winger Vladimir Tarasenko to replace Vancouver-bound Daniel Sprong. They also signed depth forwards Tyler Motte and William Lagesson, replaced defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere with a similar player in Erik Gustafsson and added goalie depth in veterans Cam Talbot and Jack Campbell — both of whom are likely to see action this season. 

Additionally, Detroit dealt defenseman Jake Walman to San Jose — a move that caught some by surprise — to clear a roster spot for top defensive prospect Simon Edvinsson.

The question for Detroit is whether it actually goes anywhere with these moves. It feels like the Wings hopped on the treadmill. 

Next up: The Long National Nightmare Division