Blackhawks, Kings, & Penguins; which team makes it back to the Finals first?

[Bounces R Way]

These three teams from 2010-2017 won every cup with only the 2011 Bruins as the exception.



Penguins still have a decent team, likely in the playoffs again this year. Crosby, Malkin, Letang obviously not getting any younger so if that window isn't closed already it likely shuts soon without much in the way of prospect depth. Probably still a playoff team this year and if they're healthy not a team to be looking past.

Kings have an interesting retool on the go, still a team largely led by their veterans but have a dearth of promising young players. Especially on the blueline. Their top picks up front of Turcotte, Vilardi, and Byfield haven't exactly lit it up yet and LA might need them to soon if they plan on competing with Kopitar and Doughty. Could see them on the playoff bubble this season but more likely to make it.

Blackhawks are in full on tank mode. Whatever Bowman's plan was it has failed. But they have the cleanest slate(as far as a team rebuilding goes) with only the Jones deal as being a major drawback after this season. They're looking to draft high in 2023 and if the hype is to be believed about that draft they could just be getting another Kane level talent.

Which team do you think makes it back to the Stanley Cup Finals first?

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[Rengorlex]

Voted Blackhawks. It's going to take a while and may fail completely, but they are in a position to land some super high end talent to produce an elite core that will be a contender of the next generation.

The Kings, I don't see them becoming a contender with what they have now, although obviously even teams like Dallas or Montreal can make that finals run. The Pens feel like the least likely option, could potentially happen in the next 1-2 years but they are olllld and there hasn't been a team that old with any major success in the cap era at all.

 

[bobholly39]

Pittsburgh.

I say they have one more run in them with this core.

And even if they somehow don't, you know they're due to draft their next 2 generational prospects in the next 2-3 years, so the wait shouldn't be long.

 

[reino]

Pittsburgh will win cup next year

 

[Luigi Lemieux]

I think the pens are going to do everything in their power to load up for one more run. See big moves coming still.

 

[Blackhawkswincup]

Went with Kings

They have nice crop of young talent on NHL roster and more coming and have made moves to strengthen team around them (Fiala trade)

Need to look for long-term solution in net soon though. I don't see Peterson as a viable #1 in NHL at this point going forward

 

[Love]

It’s close between Chicago or Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh because they could put it together for one more run this season or next. Chicago because they’re doing a true rebuild and could very well be adding Bedard/Michkov/Fantilli next year.

What LA is doing all but guarantees they won’t be in the finals any time soon.

 

[JaegerDice]

Kings, cause they were smart enough to start their rebuild/retool first.

 

[Rob Brown]

While I do think the Pens could put together a run over the next few years, I think the Kings are set up nicely and will break out soon.

 

[frisco]

Penguins were seven points back of the team that went to the Finals on their side, Tampa.

Kings were 20 back of Colorado, the Western Conference champs.

Blackhawks were 52 back of Colorado.

I know we're looking forward, but Pittsburgh still has a legit shot of making the Finals in the next couple of years. Kings more of an outside chance and the Hawks practically zero. If it goes beyond that then it's anyone's guess.

My Best-Carey

 

[Kaners Bald Spot]

Maybe it's because I think more of Byfield and Clarke than most, but I think the Kings are the answer here.

 

[bambamcam4ever]

While I do think the Pens could put together a run over the next few years, I think the Kings are set up nicely and will break out soon.

The more I think of it, I'm not sure how the Kings are going to acquire elite talent after Kopitar and Doughty decline. They have good young players, but I'm not sure who the guy to lift them to an elite team would be.

 

[Artorius Horus T]

Kings.

 

[Empoleon8771]

The Penguins are the most likely in the short term while the Kings are the most likely in the long term. I'd go with the Kings just because they'll have more chances to go for the cup due to the age of the Penguins core.

The Penguins have maybe 2 or 3 legitimate playoff appearances left. The Kings should have way more and should be getting better.

 

[nbwingsfan]

Pens have one, maybe two runs left but after that they’re done for a while unless they have two franchise level players land in their lap again.

Hawks seem to have no idea what the hell they’re doing

Kings seem pretty set up for a while and I really like what they have as long as they can develop Byfield into what some people think he can be (personally I think he’s not a great prospect).

 

[JKG33]

I think this Pens group has one more run.

LA looks like a good pick, and they probably have the easiest route to the finals. But once the clock strikes midnight on Kopitar/Doughty/Quick they're in big trouble. So far all the top picks aren't looking good, and most of the secondary pieces were acquired via trade/free agency (Iafallo, Fiala, Danault, Arvidsson, Moore, Durzi). Even Kempe and Roy were drafted when the Kings were fresh off the cup wins.

 

[Hatter of the Beach]

Went with LA. If I was a betting man I’d break it down as these percentages

LA - 65% as they are really the only team of the 3 I expect to be relevant in 5 years. Also think if there’s any division you want to be in to get by the first two rounds, it’s the Pacific. Oilers and Flames are good but still have exploitable flaws. If they get past them then all they have to do is upset a round in the WCF and they’re in. Easier said than done ofc, but I can see the Central teams beating each other up. Maybe someone does them a favor and upsets Colorado or St Louis

Penguins -20% though the window is closing and the East has gotten scary good, they may have one last miracle run in them.

Blackhawks -15% scorched earth rebuilds can take close to a decade but they may land a generational talent next draft that could expedite the process. Also a chance that even if they take a decade neither of the others have made it

 

[HockeyWooot]

LAK has a wider window, followed by Pens

 

[dalewood12]

I can maaaybe see the Pens crack the Conference Finals in one last run for the Crosby-Malkin era, but that’s as far as they get.

Kings in the SCF in five years seems like a real possibility. They have such a deep young roster in their system.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I feel like Pens have to do it in the next year or two if at all so went with them

Kings might have a slightly longer 'window' but I just dont' see it yet

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

None anytime soon.

Best chancee would be Hawks because I think like they are going in the right direction, even if there's a long way to go. Pittsburgh is really close to a long rebuild. Kings are stagnant.

 

[isles55]

Penguins would’ve beat the Rangers this playoffs if Crosby didn’t get Injured. And would’ve beat the Islanders the year before if Jarry didnt choke.