Avs are still in talk with Manson and chances are Lehks will make more than 4M. Add a 2C and there's nothing left.
I don't believe that for a second. It's dater's dumb take that's difficult to disprove but if I had to bet, I'd say he's making it up. Just like his... It's 50/50 at this point non-sense.
Just keeps getting proven over and over that he really has no sources for the Avs but keeps putting out all that bullshit that he reads on the internet.
I figured Tampa traded mcdonagh knowing they could keep Palat. Wonder who they get now?
I'll tell you who they WON'T get... Valeri Nichushkin!!!!
It's a continuous pattern. The best teams in the league have ~3-5 years of being the top contenders before a combination of salary cap/age takes it toll on the team. Tampa and Vegas is pretty much in year ~5 right now. Colorado and Toronto are in year ~3 each. Pittsburgh is past that point, as is Washington. The previous top contenders before this group were pretty much Chicago/LA/San Jose/Boston and they're all obviously not in the top contender group anymore. Three of them are well into rebuilds.
And, you can also see the next line of teams coming up to contend as well tbh. New Jersey(They are set up phenomenally cap space wise moving forward, very reminiscent of us ~5 years ago), Los Angeles, NYR, Ottawa... They're all right on the cusp of being contenders in the next couple of years as long as they don't try and rush the process. In the Rangers case this was basically year one of the window already, the other 3 teams should make big progress next year.
I agree with what you're saying that it's cyclical but at the same time, the very best teams don't tend to stay down too long and some teams that are 'up-and-coming' never truly get over the hump.
The difference is usually good management vs bad management. Knowing when to 'go for it' and when to hold back usually separates the good ones from the bad ones.
Out of the teams you listed, I believe you are right with New Jersey though they'll have to proceed carefully and build it the right way without trying to take shortcuts. Los Angeles looked a lot better when Alex Turcotte was supposed to be a top notch prospect. The jury is still out on Byfield as well but if neither pan out, that's going to hurt their chances going forward.
As far as Ottawa goes, I just don't think Dorion is a good enough manager to get it done. They'll end up a good team though for sure at some point but probably not a true contender. I think Mr. "The Rebuild is over" is going to find a way to f*** it up.
Lastly, the NYR's core is probably older than ours. Apart from Fox, Shesterkin and the 2 "Top-2" wingers they got in recent drafts, they are severely lacking in the young center department. Panarin is 30, Zibanejad is 29, Kreider is 31. If they sign Kadri as rumored, that's not going to add to getting younger.
I would add Detroit to the list as I think they've done a good job since Yzerman took over. You can tell he's not going to rush it and he's going to build that team the right way.