via Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star,

The Blackhawks have won the Stanley Cup three times since 2010, the Kings twice since 2012. Neither were able to repeat as champions. But the Blackhawks claim to the word "dynasty" remains strong, while the Kings seem suddenly adrift.

In Chicago, there's a great deal of faith in GM Stan Bowman, who is able to remake his team each year around his core. The master of the salary cap world. He may have a couple of issues to deal with: the ages of Brent Seabrook, who has a lot of miles for a 31-year-old, and Marian Hossa, who at 37 may not be around much longer.

In Los Angeles, there is less faith in GM Dean Lombardi, who squandered his chance to make Mike Richards a compliance buyout a few years ago -- i.e., get him off the salary cap altogether. Instead, by waiting, Richards will cost the Kings $1.32 million in cap space until 2020. The Kings are a cap team with an aging core. Their time may have past.