Since I am still up working, I'm going to put a few more thoughts into this thread.
Coaching.
Many of these teams who have undergone successful "rebuilds" have changed coaches because they were underperforming. It may be just coincidence, but all of these powerhouse "model" drafting teams (save Phoenix) either hired or created Jack Adams winners. Only one of these coaches won a cup in their first season behind the bench.
Chicago (Savard) decided to upgrade to Quenneville 4 games into the season. Pittsburgh (Therrien) decided to upgrade to Bylsma as they were struggling to make the playoffs. St. Louis (Payne) decided to upgrade to Hitchcock. Hell, even Phoenix (Gretzky) upgraded to Tippett, Boston (Lewis, who lost to CGY in 04) to Julien.
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