The success of an NHL franchise heavily relies on its front office, which is led by the general manager. This team is responsible for hiring coaches, scouting opponents, identifying promising young talent, and ultimately constructing the roster. A recent exemplary case is the Florida Panthers, who transformed from a struggling franchise into Stanley Cup champions under the guidance of general manager Bill Zito since he took the helm in 2020. However, several other teams may benefit from a reevaluation of their front office strategies, including notable franchises such as the New York Islanders. The Islanders, for instance, are overdue for a roster rebuild, yet the management has remained attached to its veteran players in light of a discernible decline in performance. Additionally, some teams in the rebuilding phase have shown little sign of tangible progress, underscoring the necessity for a thoughtful analysis of front office effectiveness.

The Buffalo Sabres are facing a particularly grim situation, currently holding the NHL record for the longest postseason drought, having missed the playoffs for the past 13 seasons. Unless there is a remarkable turnaround in the second half of the current season, this streak is set to extend to 14 years. With Kevyn Adams as the fourth general manager since the streak began in the 2011-12 season, his tenure may come to an end if the team fails to qualify this year. Notably, Adams, who lacks prior general manager experience, follows in the footsteps of Tim Murray and Jason Botterill, both of whom also entered the role as assistant general managers. The Sabres' ownership might consider appointing someone with a proven track record in building a competitive team. Rumors surrounding Adams have emerged since November, hinting at possible roster changes, particularly in the pursuit of a top-six forward. Center Dylan Cozens has frequently surfaced in trade discussions, often linked to Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson. However, the timeline for impactful changes may be slipping away from Adams. During a press conference in December, he expressed frustrations regarding the club's attractiveness to potential players for trades and free agency, emphasizing his commitment to the existing roster despite its struggles. Observations from The Athletic highlight ongoing issues with team discipline, a lack of experienced leadership, and a scouting staff that has not been successfully replenished, maintaining concerns for the Sabres' future.

Steve Yzerman, celebrated as one of the greatest players in the history of the Detroit Red Wings, has taken on the role of general manager for the team since 2019. Upon his return, the Red Wings were entrenched in a rebuilding process, having missed the playoffs for three consecutive years. Yzerman cautioned fans about the extensive work ahead, and their patience yielded optimism as the team approached a possible playoff berth in the 2023-24 season. However, a significant portion of Red Wings supporters demonstrated waning confidence in the front office, particularly after a poll conducted last August by Max Bultman from The Athletic indicated a decline in trust regarding roster management and strategic vision for the future. A failure to make the playoffs again this season could extend their playoff drought to nine years, surpassing a previous record of seven years in the 1970s, potentially prompting ownership to contemplate changes within the front office, including Yzerman's position.

Upon Lou Lamoriello's hiring on May 22, 2018, as president of hockey operations for the New York Islanders, the franchise enjoyed a resurgence, reaching the Eastern Conference Finals in 2020 and the semifinals during the COVID-shortened 2021 season. However, the following seasons saw a steep decline, culminating in a missed playoff berth in 2021-22 and the subsequent dismissal of head coach Barry Trotz. Lamoriello's decision to maintain an aging core rather than orchestrating a significant roster overhaul has drawn criticism, particularly after the team finished seventh in the Eastern Conference in two consecutive campaigns. As of early February 2025, the Islanders' playoff aspirations appeared tenuous, with management having made yet another coaching change, replacing Lane Lambert with Patrick Roy. The lack of depth in the prospect pool, exacerbated by a series of first-round pick trades, raises concerns about the team's future direction. Voices calling for a reevaluation of Lamoriello's leadership have grown stronger, primarily due to the ownership's failing to update other operational staff that continue to reflect the previous regime's decisions.

The Seattle Kraken made their NHL debut in the 2021-22 season, drawing comparisons to the early success of the Vegas Golden Knights. While the Golden Knights reached the Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural season and secured a championship five years later, the Kraken have faced their own challenges. Despite securing a playoff spot in 2023 and upsetting the Colorado Avalanche, their offensive performance dramatically declined in the following season, leading to head coach Dave Hakstol's departure. The new coaching staff under Dan Bylsma has shown slight improvements in scoring, but defensive vulnerabilities have persisted, raising questions regarding team development. Kraken general manager Ron Francis has attempted to bolster the roster through costly free-agent signings, yet the team's inconsistent performance has prompted speculation about potential changes in the front office as ownership weighs the effectiveness of Francis’ strategies.

Brendan Shanahan has served as president of the Toronto Maple Leafs since 2014. Despite consistent regular-season success, achieving 100-plus points multiple times and qualifying for the playoffs eight consecutive seasons, the team's postseason records fall short of expectations. With only one second-round appearance in this timeframe, the mounting playoff frustrations and a franchise-record 57-year Stanley Cup drought have amplified criticism directed at Shanahan, particularly among passionate fans. Following the departure of general manager Kyle Dubas in 2023, and subsequent changes to the coaching staff, concerns regarding Shanahan's management have intensified, leading to an inquiry about his future with the organization. As the 2024-25 season progresses and the team remains poised for another playoff appearance, the prospect of a significant front office shakeup looms in the background should the Leafs fail to make notable progress once it is time for the postseason.