"Consistent playoff team" for my purposes = 3+ seasons of making the playoffs in a row.
Feel free to knock off a single year for any teams going past the 04/05 lockout.
Edmonton has gone 20+ years without becoming a 'consistent playoff team.' But it only takes 7-9 years.
The last time the Buffalo Sabres were a 'consistent playoff team' was in 2001. Which was 20 years ago. But it only takes 7-9 years.
Tampa Bay went 6 years without being a 'consistent playoff team.' But it should take 7-9 years.
The last time the Ottawa Senators were a 'consistent playoff team' was in 2008. That was 13 years ago. But it only takes 7-9 years.
It took the Columbus Blue Jackets 15 years to become a 'consistent playoff team.' But it only takes 7-9 years.
The last time the New Jersey Devils were a 'consistent playoff team' was 2010. Which was 11 years ago. But it only takes 7-9 years.
The Florida Panthers have never been a 'consistent playoff team.' They were founded in 1994. That was 27 years ago. But it only takes 7-9 years.
Prior to their present slump, the Chicago Blackhawks were last a 'consistent playoff team' in 1997. They broke that in 2009, a period of 12 years. But it only takes 7-9 years.
The last time the Phoenix Coyotes were a 'consistent playoff team' was in 2012. Since it takes 7-9 years to make the playoffs, they clearly made the playoffs this year, right?
The last time the Dallas Stars were a 'consistent playoff team' was in 2008. That was 13 years ago. But it only takes 7-9 years.
The Toronto Maple Leafs, prior to becoming a 'consistent playoff team', were last a 'consistent playoff team' in 2004. They entered their current period of 'consistent playoff team' in 2017. A period of 13 years. But it only takes 7-9 years.
The last time the Calgary Flames were a 'consistent playoff team' was 2009. That was 12 years ago. But it only takes 7-9 years.
The Winnipeg Jets/Atlanta Thrashers have never been a 'consistent playoff team.' That franchise was founded in 2000. But it only takes 7-9 years.
St. Louis went 6 years without being a 'consistent playoff team.' But it should take 7-9 years. That 6 year stretch was also the longest period, ever, that the Blues had not been a 'consistent playoff team', with the Blues only missing the playoffs 3 seasons from 1968-2004. Clearly, the only logical conclusion you can make is that the Blues never had to rebuild in that 36 year stretch.
The Carolina Hurricanes, as a franchise, were last a 'consistent playoff team' in 1992. They have only become a 'consistent playoff team' in 2019. A period of 27 years. But it only takes 7-9 years.
The Nashville Predators became a 'consistent playoff team' in 2004. They have missed the playoffs 4 times since, remaining a 'consistent playoff team' for 17 years. Clearly, they have never had to rebuild and 52 year old Tom Fitzgerald boldly soldiers on, still leading the Predators all these years later.
The last time, prior to their current stretch, the Pittsburgh Penguins were a 'consistent playoff team' was in 2001. They regained that status in 2007. 6 years. But, clearly, it takes 7-9 years.
The last time the Washington Capitals were a 'consistent playoff team', prior to their current run, was in 1996 before going into a blackhole that lasted 12 years. But it only takes 7-9 years.