Team rankings come in all shapes and forms. We analyzed the rosters of all 31 teams to determine which franchise is best suited for the future behind a locked-in young core.
How is that determined? Given the average age of NHL players to begin the 2017-18 season was a shade over 27, we considered only players who are 27 or younger.
The rankings also factored in length of contracts -- the longer the better for young talent -- and accounted only for players who are inked for at least the next three seasons.