There are numerous ways that an NHL team can add players during the offseason, including free agency, the draft and international signings. And all of those types of transactions are certain to occur this year.
While it's not clear when the offseason will take place, with the NHL potentially set to resume the 2019-20 season later this summer, seven teams won't be part of the expanded playoffs if/when that happens.
That group includes the Los Angeles Kings and Ottawa Senators, who are both likely to have top draft picks and important decisions to make prior to the 2020-21 season.