We all think that we can do better when it comes to our favorite team and how the organization is run. Call it a Monday through Sunday morning quarterbacking or managing. Unless the season ends with the Stanley Cup being lifted, there will always be room for second-guessing.

This summer is no different than any other. There were plenty of transactions that made sense to all and then there were the decisions that made us appreciate our team’s general manager a little bit more. Championships are won by the franchise that builds successfully through the draft, free agency and managing their salary cap effectively.

One good summer does not thrust a team into Stanley Cup contention, but it can certainly eliminate it from the short list of contenders. Of course there is a distinct possibility that some of the following teams could defy the odds and do the impossible. Don’t bet on it folks, unless you have a ridiculous amount of disposable income; in which case I’ll be happy to place wagers on your behalf.

5. Pittsburgh Penguins

The Penguins and their general manager Ray Shero seemed to have outsmarted everyone last spring when he put the finishing touches on an unstoppable roster by adding Jarome Iginla, Brenden Morrow and Douglas Murray. We had all but anointed the Pens as the prohibitive Stanley Cup favorites. Until they ran into a Boston team that held them to two goals in a four game sweep. Rather than address how the Penguins roster could improve and overcome Boston, the Pens and their mastermind Shero poured a ton of money into a contract extension for Evgeni Malkin (eight years-$76million) and Kris Letang (eight years-$58 million). Sure it’s great to have those two stars locked up long-term, but what about the rest of the roster? What about the $1 million over the salary cap? Come on Ray Shero, it’s time to be a genius again.

4. Philadelphia Flyers

Paul Holmgren has had the distinction of making some big trades that have blown up in his face. In 2012, former Flyers Jeff Carter and Mike Richards won the Stanley Cup after being traded from the Flyers. In 2013, Sergei Bobrovsky won the Vezina Trophy for Columbus almost 12 months after being traded by Holmgren. When Tampa cut Vincent Lecavalier loose, the Flyers were the surprise suitors backing up a dump truck full of Benjamin’s to the free agents trunk.

Philadelphia, like Tampa Bay was expected to address goaltending and defense this summer and signed an aging center who has statistically declined for the past seven years. In fairness, Holmgren did sign Ray Emery to the vacant Flyers starting spot. He did well as the backup for the Stanley Cup champ Chicago Blackhawks, but he’ll be on center stage in Philly.

3. San Jose Sharks

It’s not as if the Sharks made any terrible moves this summer. However, it is the moves that they haven’ t made that  keep them on this list. San Jose has too many old, high dollar players headed into the final year of their contracts. Instead of making a deal to get younger or more salary friendly, the Sharks stood pat hoping to make one final run with their old dogs. Between Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau and Dan Boyle the Sharks have almost $22 million in cap room tied up. It would have been prudent for GM Doug Wilson to move one or two of the aging stars while there was still some value attached. Young stars Logan Couture and Joe Pavelski are taking over as the stars of the club, and San Jose missed a chance to get younger and build for the future instead of gambling on players who have collectively won nothing together.

2. New Jersey Devils

We can’t blame New Jersey for Ilya Kovalchuk bouncing back to the KHL, but they fanned the dumpster fire that Kovy left in his wake. With his abominable contract voided and a bunch of money left to spend, the Devils invested about $18 million in Jaromir Jagr, Ryane Clowe, Michael Ryder and Patrik Elias. Not that these guys are terrible, but with an average age of 35 between the four the Devils aren’t exactly investing in the future. The only good thing the Devils did this summer was to square their goaltending situation for the future with Cory Schneider coming to New Jersey from Vancouver.

1. Tampa Bay Lightning

Let it be known that my favorite NHL player of all time is Steve Yzerman. However, his departure from the Red Wing franchise and subsequent maneuverings in Tampa Bay has made him one of my not-so-favorite GM’s. Tampa had some clear needs this offseason and Tampa cleared space under their cap by cutting captain Vincent Lecavalier. Instead of filling the $7 million void left by the outgoing Lecavalier with a top tier goaltender or defenseman, Yzerman instead chose a top six forward in Valtteri Filppula. The Finnish forward has always played second fiddle for Detroit but will be asked to assume a much larger role in Tampa. Good luck with that Stevie Y.