Third time around seems to be the charm for me.
Currently in my 2nd season (2015-2016). First season, started off 0-9-0, was in last or second to last in the conference for most of the season, but I made some moves and started to finally figure out tactics towards the end of the season and ended up with the 8th overall pick in the draft and got Marner.
In 15-16, my roster is:
Boedeker - Giroux - Voracek
Schenn - Couturier - Simmonds
Umberger - Laughton - Read
Cleary - Carter - Raffl
Andersson, Akeson
Del Zotto - Myers
Lashoff - (Connor) Murphy
Oduya - Streit
Manning
Andersen
Zepp (progressed surprisingly well in the AHL last season)
I don't usually like to play like this and make a bunch of trades, but I figured I need to figure out how to actually win in this game before I put those types of rules on myself. In general, I've found that you can get some pretty good deals if players are put on the block by their GMs. While Oduya and most of my 4th line were FA signings, I think everyone but Murphy were acquired when they were put on the block. Usually only takes a good prospect (****, maybe ***) and a 2nd or 3rd round pick. Was out of the playoffs for most of the season, but we've skyrocketed up to 7th in the conference and are rising.
Gostisbehere, Hagg, and Morin are all doing well in the minors, and each have a chance to progress to the NHL next season depending on their off-season progression. Gostisbehere is lighting up the league offensively, but his defense needs some work before he makes the jump.
Taylor Leier and Michael Joly are both tearing up the AHL, either near or at PPG. Leier has a chance to win a 4th line spot next season. Not sure Joly will ever crack the NHL, but he's already exceeded expectations as a 4th round pick.
Stolarz is meh. Not really progressing, not doing great in the AHL either. At one point, I know he had a .920 SV%, but he's down to a .888 now. Not sure he's ever going to make it.
Outside the AHL, my top prospects are Marner, Aube-Kubel, Ilya Sampsonov, and Jesper Lindgren. Sanheim isn't doing too hot, and my scouts don't think too highly of him. He surprised in my last save in the same scenario, so we'll see how that goes.
Thanks for the advice you gave about prospects and ELCs Appleyard. I've found that giving prospects once they've hit 19 years old (or earlier if they really prove it) an ELC and calling them up really help, as well as perhaps over-ripening them in the AHL. I'm trying to give each prospect a full AHL season before they even sniff the NHL.