Here is my analysis re the NHL since last time Oilers won the cup. If there are errors, please feel free to correct me.
This is based on league success and cup winning success since 1991:
Boston - league success no cups
NJ - league success cups
Wash - no league success no cups BUT WITH OVECHKIN SHOULD WIN CUPS IN FUTURE
Philly - league success no cups
Habs - no league success cup
Panthers - no league success no cups
NYR - league success cup
Pitts - league success cups WITH CROSBY ETC IN LINE FOR MORE SUCCESS
Buff - league success no cups
Carolina - no league success cup
TO - no league success no cups
Sens - league success no cups
Tampa - no league success cup
Atlanta - no league success no cups
NYI - no league success no cups
Wings - league success cups
SJ - league success no cups
Flames - no league success no cups
Hawks - no league success no cups
Nucks - no league success no cups
CBJ - no league success no cups
OILERS - no league success no cups
Preds - no league success no cups
Ducks - no league success cup
Stars - league success cup
Wild - no league success no cups
Blues - league success no cups
Kings - no league success no cups
Yotes - no league success no cups
Avs - league success cups
We are now left with 14 teams who have neither had much success in the league, or in cup wins.
Now, subtract the expansion teams since 1991: Florida, Atlanta, Columbus, Nashville, Minnesota
We are now left with 9 teams:
From this we subtract the Capitals, because with Ovechkin only an idiot would argue they aren't virtually guaranteed a cup or more.
We now have 8 teams.
Of these, it's fairly obvious that the Hawks might be about to make a move to the top of the ladder.
We now have 7 teams: Toronto, NY Islanders in the east; Calgary, Canucks, Oilers, Kings and Yotes.
I would probably argue that the Flames look pretty decent right now, as does the Kings future-wise.
We now have 5 teams: Toronto, NY Islanders, Canucks, Oilers, and Yotes = the dregs of the NHL