Best case scenario is we win the cup, but realistically that's unlikely. Worst case would be trying to pursue the cup too soon and be middling, giving up the 11th pick next year.
Soooo my thoughts on best case and pie in the sky over the next coming year or two:
1. Bottom out, win lottery, pick 1st overall in 2025. But lose games 2-1, 3-2 with Wolf showing he can be an NHL goalie while Huberdeau goes back to PPG.
2. Florida goes on another run, Montreal gets their 30-32nd pick.
3. Ras is traded at the deadline for another 2025 1st ++
4. Mantha goes PPG, traded at the deadline for 2026 1st ++
5. Trade various pick assets, gain another top 10 pick in 2025
6. NJ picks 10th, slides their pick to 2026 unprotected
7. Both NJ and VGK continue to regress, 2 chances at lottery for McKenna in 2026 (pick 1st and 2nd
)
8. We sneak into the playoffs and win the cup 2025-2026 but still have 2 top 10 picks ala above
9. EDM misses playoffs upcoming year, 9th by a point. Draisatl walks. They miss next year as well, by 1 point. McDavid leaves following year.
10. With McKenna from 2026 and everything else in last few years, we start the next dynasty with cups in 3 of the following 4 seasons (lose on in the finals just to be reaslitic you know)
Edit: Obviously over the top in wishful thinking but I do think points 1-6, maybe 7 could potentially happen, while E=NG always