Making the playoffs two years in a row is a pretty good metric for determining if a team is closer to ending a rebuild than starting one. However, many teams work a hybrid system to keep them competitive in the long term instead of having a great 5 year run and having to tear down again.
It's hard to do in the NHL but it seems like a trend. GMs see what happened in EDM and it is the last thing they want. Good drafting will save a franchise from having to go scortched earth like EDM.
I really don't think there is 1 thing that indicates if a team is done rebuilding but should be seen in the context they are in. Also advanced stats are good as a companion to all other stats as well as watching how a player plays. People get pissed off at the advanced stats evangelists because they ram them down throats as if they are the do all end all and constantly bring up MLB as evidence that they work.
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