We let go of Toews and Kane pretty recently.
Pens haven't been real contenders for a long time. About to lose to the Flyers.
Kings have been floating around being a playoff team in the weakest division. They always have to face Edmonton in the first round and got even worse luck this year playing the Avs.
It hurts being a rebuilding team. I think it's worse being a team that makes the playoffs then always gets bounced in the first round.
Ten years ago, the Kings, Blackhawks, and Penguins were the class of the NHL. At the end of that period, the Kings held on to Doughty/Kopitar, the Pens hung on to Crosby Malkin, and the Hawks let go of Kane and Toews. The Pens and Kings are about to be swept in their final runs of mediocrity, while Chicago is gearing up for a decade of playoffs.
Tear down when you tear down. Donβt half ass rebuilds.