Which teams will be the next wave of contenders?

[LaymanX]

In the next 3-5 years, who would you expect to become the next Winnipeg Jets/Nashville Predators (ie. perennial contenders)?

My picks:

Vancouver - Generational player Elias Pettersson with a strong supporting cast of young players/prospects in Hughes, Boeser, Woo, DiPietro and Demko

Colorado - At that time, they'll have a seasoned veteran core of Ratanan, Mackinnon, Landeskog, Makar along with 2 possibly lottery picks from this year's draft.

Click to read more...

 

[Hockeyholic]

Vancouver, Colorado, Buffalo, and Toronto come to mind. That's if they do everything right of course.

I believe the following teams are candidates to be basement dwellers within five years. Note: Some are already there.

Pittsburgh, Minnesota, LA, Chicago, Detroit, Blues, Seattle, Sharks, Ducks, Oilers, Rangers, and Isles.

There's probably more to both. But that's all I can think of for now.

 

[Jacob]

How are the Jets “perennial contenders”?

 

[triggrman]

How are the Jets “perennial contenders”?

Or us.

Until you win it all, you're just like every other hopeful.

So maybe it should say like Pittsburgh/Washington.

 

[LaymanX]

How are the Jets “perennial contenders”?

Those guys are stacked and young. If you had to put money on 4 teams to make the playoffs, who else would you bet on?

 

[Mathew Barzal]

I think the Senators and Rangers have a solid youth pool if everything goes well for them.

 

[kylbaz]

Just last season everyone talked about how bare and terrible Vancouver's system was and what bad shape they are in. Now they're the next big thing. Funny how people here think they know everything, but in reality they don't.

 

[kylbaz]

Or us.

Until you win it all, you're just like every other hopeful.

So maybe it should say like Pittsburgh/Washington.

Then the word would have been 'winners' not contenders. Contenders are teams that have a good shot at the cup, which the Jets do. And they will next year and for the next few years at the very least.

 

[BlueBaron]

Impossible to predict. Love the OP trying to sneak in the Generational comment. Everyone is generational!

Canucks have some good pieces but in 5 years you'll see some current teams still trying to hold their spots. How can you predict drafting, trades, injuries etc?

A team I like the look of though is Philly.

 

[LaymanX]

I think the Senators and Rangers have a solid youth pool if everything goes well for them.

Senators? Why them? I know Dorion is an excellent drafter, but they're already handicapped with the absence of their 2019 1st rd pick.

 

[LaymanX]

Impossible to predict. Love the OP trying to sneak in the Generational comment. Everyone is generational!

Canucks have some good pieces but in 5 years you'll see some current teams still trying to hold their spots. How can you predict drafting, trades, injuries etc?

A team I like the look of though is Philly.

Yeah, I was going to add Philly too but decided to only pick 2 to mirror my Jets/Nashville comparison.

And man.. Pettersson is just.. wow.

 

[Sam Spade]

My first thought was the Avs, not sure what they have in the goalie pipeline, but the rest seems decent and about to get better.

Leafs are young, so for sure them. Sabres would be my other pick.

 

[AchtzehnBaby]

Sens may be in a couple of years if they get a few more young pieces this year and next.

 

[Chardo]

Loseapeg? I think a team needs to actually have been a contender before being considered perennial.

 

[Master P]

Buffalo

 

[AvsFan29]

Avs / Toronto / Vancouver / Buffalo