I'll preface this article by saying that I am not an expert, I've never won anything. I have, however, learned some things from a lot of the GMs in this league, and have a pretty good idea of where things are headed, who's good, etc. I also believe that almost any GM in this league can turn their team into a cup contender within 5 years. It doesn't take THAT long, unless you're me.

 

Boston Bruins

Short Term Outlook: This roster is quite good as it stands, and GM Greg doesn't stand to lose much this offseason. Bergeron is a tough loss, but Greg will have the cap space (and the pieces) to insert a replacement for him if he chooses to do so this off-season. This team is probably one or two pieces awy from being a cup contender.

 

Long Term Outlook: More good news. The Bruins aren't just built for this year. Panarin, Pastrnak, Gaudreau, Mantha, Saros, Lindholm are all controlled for at least three more years. With that said, that isn't a cup winning core in this league. Greg will need more, and he probably knows that. But it's a good start.

 

Core 4 of the future: Pastrnak, Panarin, Saros, Mantha. B+

 

Notable futures: Not a ton to speak of here. Barrett Hayton & Lukkonen could prove to be valuable assets down the line, though.

 

Chances of winning a cup over the next three years: I think pretty slim. But Greg has the power to change that. It's more a matter of if he'll invest the time/assets to do so.

 

Montreal Canadiens

Short Term Outlook: This hasn't been the Habs best year. I really don't envision Steve going all in to fix that, either. Could maybe some noise this year, but unlikely at this point. The good news is that this roster isn't losing anyone notable, and could drastically improve next year.

 

Long Term Outlook: I think the Habs will be very competitive for a long time. There are plenty of players in or entering their prime over the next few years. Steve knows how to build a winner, and I expect long term success from this organization.

 

Core 4 of the future: Huberdeau, Necas, Samsonov, Horvat. B+

 

Notable futures: I'm going to list Samsonov here, even though he's already NHL proven and 24. I don't believe he's anywhere close to peaking yet. Rees is a promising forward, but the list ends there for high end futures in my eyes.

 

Chances of winning a cup over the next three years: I think this team competes in the conference finals either next year or the year after. I'm going to say they fall short of a cup appearance, but have a chance if Steve makes the right moves.

 

Toronto Maple Leafs

Short Term Outlook: Things don't look great for the Leafs this year. Garrett probably expected that, sacrificing a lot to build the powerhouse he had last year. Much like Montreal and Boston though, he isn't losing anything of note next year. And next year should be much better.

 

Long Term Outlook: The core of this team will be at, or in their primes over the next few years. This is definitely one of the more promising organizations in the East. They will need to address their goaltending situation.

 

Core 4 of the future: Kuznetsov, Larkin, Dubois, Werenski. B

 

Notable futures: Cal Foote could prove to be a valuable D for BRHL purposes. Same could be said for Matthew Robertson. Cody Glass could wind up panning out, though I don't believe in him personally. Garrett does have all of his picks to use over the next couple years as well.

 

Chances of winning a cup over the next three years: I'm going to say slim, and I'm going to say that because I could see Garrett dealing some of his players entering their 30s and look towards the future - maybe 4-5 years out.

 

Florida Panthers

Short Term Outlook: Not great. I won't sugar coat that. This team isn't built to win any time soon.

 

Long Term Outlook: This organization is absolutely filled with guys in their early 20s that COULD become something. There are so many in the sytem, that it's almost a guarantee that the Panthers will become a deep (if nothing else) team in the future.

 

Core 4 of the future: Connor McMichael, Cole Caufield, Lukas Reichel, Rodion Amirov. D

 

Notable Futures: See above. McMichael, Caufield, Richel and Amirov headline the future of this organization. Plenty of notable draft picks as well.

 

Chances of winning a cup over the next three years: I really don't see this happening. I do believe in Tynz as a GM and I think he'll get there one day.

 

Buffalo Sabres

Short Term Outlook: Not great. This team isn't built to win any time soon. It's be a slow but solid build up for Jared.

 

Long Term Outlook: Much better than short term. The core of this team is developing around the same time, and should hit their stride in a few years.

 

Core 4 of the future: Thomas Chabot, Evan Bouchard, Jamie Drysdale, Nils Hoglander. B-

 

Notable Futures: Drysdale, Hoglander, Bouchard (if they count). Dahlen, Vilardi, Veleno, Turcotte should all play significant roles when the Sabres rise up the standings. All draft picks in tact as well.

 

Chances of winning a cup over the next three years: See Florida. I don't see it happening, but I do very much believe in Jared as a GM and I like what he's doing.

 

Red Wings

Short Term Outlook: Not much to say other than not good.

 

Long Term Outlook: The beauty of having a bad short term outlook is that it usually means a better long term outlook. That is the case with the Red Wings. It'll be a while, but the process of rebuilding is well underway.

 

Core 4 of the future: Jack Hughes, Jason Robertson, Shea Theodore, Lucas Raymond. B+

 

Notable Futures: Seth Jarvis, JJ Peterka, Nolan Foote headline a pretty loaded prospect group. Plenty of picks to add to it.

 

Chances of winning a cup over the next three years: Almost zero. This organization will absolutely get there one day though.

 

Ottawa Senators

Short Term Outlook: Really not good. That's putting it gently.

 

Long Term Outlook: This team has a chance to turn things around sooner than later. It depends on the return for Eichel & the use of the draft picks.

 

Core 4 of the future: Eichel, Cirelli, whatever Steph gets with the picks. D

 

Notable Futures: Six 1sts over the next two years. Plenty of picks to fuel the rebuild.

 

Chances of winning a cup over the next three years: I can't see it happening. Steph is gonna have to work some magic. I've seen it happen in BRFL, will it happen here?

 

Tampa Bay Lightning

Short Term Outlook: Not good. That's a good thing for a tanking team.

 

Long Term Outlook: I think Eric will be patient with this team. He's done a good job of accumulating pieces of all ages to work some magic with. It's really a matter of how patient the GM is.

 

Core 4 of the future: Jake Sanderson, Troy Terry, Justin Barron, Noel Gunler. D

 

Notable futures: Plenty of picks in tact. Sanderson, Gunler, Barron, Thrun headline a relatively deep prospect pool.

 

Chances of winning a cup over the next three years: I think Eric will be patient with this group as I stated above. I don't see a cup appearance happening any time soon. This is a long term rebuild.