The Western Conference is clearly superior to the East, and it looks like it could stay that way for a while.
More than a few teams in the West are set up for success beyond this season thanks to solid drafting, smart signings, and some shrewd trades.
Here are three Western Conference playoff teams with solid foundations for the future.
Anaheim Ducks
The Ducks are already one of the most dangerous teams entering the playoffs, and general manager Bob Murray has done an admirable job stockpiling and securing young talent to ensure they stay competitive for years.
Rickard Rakell ranked third on the team with 20 goals and Jakob Silfverberg is right behind him in his first season since signing a team-friendly four-year extension. They also have John Gibson who is coming into his own in goal at age 22.
The blue line also has plenty of promise with the likes of Cam Fowler, Hampus Lindholm, and Sami Vatanen, although the latter two are pending restricted free agents.
Throw in defensive prospect Shea Theodore and 20-year-old forward Nick Ritchie - the 10th overall pick in 2014 - and Anaheim is well positioned for a prolonged run.
Nashville Predators
The Predators are probably not getting Hobey Baker Award winner Jimmy Vesey, but given the foundation they already have in place, they shouldn't be too concerned.
Filip Forsberg is a superstar in the making and fellow 30-goal scorer James Neal is signed for another two seasons.
Ryan Johansen's production has increased since he was acquired for Seth Jones, and signing him is looking like a move the Predators could afford to make.
Captain Shea Weber is under contract until 2026, but they should get four or five more solid seasons from the dominant defenseman. His partner on the blue line, Roman Josi, is emerging as a star in his own right.
Nashville also has a few solid prospects, with 2014 11th-overall pick Kevin Fiala and goaltender Juuse Saros knocking on the door. Winger Viktor Arvidsson is also getting regular third-line minutes in his first full season.
Dallas Stars
The Stars were built to make a deep run this spring, but there are several reasons they'll be tough to beat beyond 2016.
Tyler Seguin, one of the game's best young scorers, and Jason Spezza, one of the league's best second-line centers, are both signed through 2019.
General manager Jim Nill inked John Klingberg, the Stars' potential franchise cornerstone on the blue line, to a seven-year extension at a team-friendly rate of $4.25 million per season until 2021-22.
Dallas goaltenders Kari Lehtonen and Antti Niemi are both locked in for another two seasons after 2015-16.
If 21-year-old Valeri Nichushkin can develop into a top-six forward over the next few years, the Stars could have an influx of secondary scoring along with fellow first-round pick Radek Faksa.
Dallas' top defensive prospect, 20-year-old Julius Honka, has more than 40 points in his second AHL season, and might be ready for the NHL sooner rather than later.
Related: Superstructure: 3 Eastern playoff teams with a solid base for the future
