It may not seem like it sometimes, but every NHL team has a long-term plan. Even the teams that appear to be stuck in neutral or that run into the ground have a team vision which looks really good on paper and should work. The most challenging aspect of team building is actually seeing that vision through during the difficult times, when the pressure starts to seep in from external sources.

“The hardest part is execution,” Los Angeles Kings GM Dean Lombardi told ESPN.com on Wednesday.