Allen:Three non-playoff NHL teams from '21 could qualify in '22. HBSL Live

With 16 days remaining before the start of the season, here are three teams that missed the playoffs in 2021 and now have a good chance of making them in 2022.

Five reasons why the Blackhawks can qualify

1. Marc-Andre Fleury is in net: At 36, he is a short-term fix for the Blackhawks. But he should post enough quality starts to keep the Blackhawks' competitive. Their goals-against will drop.

2. Jonathan Toews is back: Even if he has rust on his game, the psychological lift this will provide the 'Hawks will be significant.

3. Offense will be improved: They were middle of the pack in scoring last season and Toews' return, and the continued development of Kirby Dach and Dominik Kubilik could move them into the top 10.

4. Revamped defense: The talk is about Seth Jones, but Jake McCabe was a quality acquisition. If he stays healthy, he will be a very reliable contributor. 5. Tyler Johnson a wild card: He will get more playing time on the Blackhawks than he received in Tampa and he could score 15+ goals.

Five reasons why the New York Rangers can qualify

1. The Rangers are tougher, harder to play against: They added Ryan Reaves to deal with Tom Wilson and Barclay Goodrow and Samuel Blais are feisty competitors.

2. Boast a bushel of young talent: Adam Fox is 23 and owns a Norris Trophy. Alexis Lafreniere will be a beast, and Kaapo Kakko will eventually find his way. K'Andre Miller and Nils Lundqvist are going to be impact performers on defense. Ryan Lindgren is Mr. Reliable. Vitali Kravtsov. 3. Artemi Panarin will 30 goals and register 90 points:: He is among the NHL's most consistent elite scorers. Look at his numbers. Every season, he produces what he is expected to produce.

4. Igor Shesturkin, 25, will be better this season: Would expect his goals-against average to be in the 2.40 range with a .920 save percentage. 5. A big deal is coming: Maybe it will be Jack Eichel, maybe not. But Chris Drury is going to make a monumental move this season to land a center.

Five reasons why the Los Angeles Kings will qualify 1. Underrated goaltending: Cal Peterson can be the consistent goaltender that every coach covets. This could be his breakthrough season.

2. Offseason Top 6 Upgrade: Viktor Arvidsson and Phillip Danault will bolster the Kings' top six forward group. Danault will help as much defensively as he helps offensively.

3. Impressive collection of young talent: All it would take is a couple of youngsters like Arthur Kaliyev, Quinton Byfield or Alex Turcotte to step up this season to give the team an added spark. Gabriel Vilardi, 21, could also go from 11 to 20 goals this season.

4. Anze Kopitar can still play: He had 50 points in 56 games for a poor team. With more talent on the roster, Kopitar could turn back the clock a season or two.

5. West Division the weakest division: It feels wide open after the Vegas Golden Knights. With Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, the Oilers should be second. But do you believe in the Oilers' goaltending? The Kings only need to find some momentum and they can make the playoffs for the first time since 2018. They haven't won a playoff game since 2016.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Be sure to register your team for another season of the HockeyBuzz Super League Fantasy Game!

Sign up here: HBSL sign up

It's the best fantasy game every created! The HBSL is a hybrid between a salary cap game and a head-to-head fantasy game. Each week you create your 20 man roster based on the actual NHL salary cap and the actual salary cap hits. You then face-off with a fellow hockey fan. At the end of the regular season, we throw the best 128 teams into a 7-week playoff.

There is a Season Ticket Holder bracket and a Free bracket.

HBSL Season Ticket Bracket Entrants who were season ticket holders at the start of the NHL season are eligible for the following prizes:

Grand Prize: 4K ultra HDTV Runner-up: Replica Stanley Cup Semi-Finals Losers: Customized NHL Jersey Quarter-Finals Losers: $50 Amazon.com Gift Card

HBSL Free Bracket Entrants that were NOT season ticket holders at the start of the NHL season are eligible for the following prizes:

Grand Prize: Customized NHL Jersey Runner-up: $50 Amazon.com Gift Card Semi-Finals & Quarter-Finals Losers: $25 Amazon.com Gift Card

Good luck! HBSL sign up

Last season's winners were announced here Last season's winners and most responded and received their prizes. A few have yet to reach out to support@hockeybuzz.com to claim theirs.