[Caged Great]

To me, talent is the #1 most important thing.

However, if you are significantly deficient in areas compared to the other team it equalizes things.

If the other team out works you significantly, you are in trouble.

If you are shorter than the other team by quite a bit, it is harder to push through that.

If you are slower than the other team they can contain you a bit easier.

If they have a lot better of a goalie, that can stop your team dead.

Talent alone does not get you anywhere, it does usually seed teams close to the right order in each conference. When the playoffs hit, if you are very talented, but the team that you are facing are better in a couple areas above you are in trouble. Your team can get through a round or two on talent alone, just like your goalie could steal a round or two, or your hard working team could frustrate the opposition (see Flames 04).

The key to being truly successful, you need to have balance. You need to be decently sized, decently fast, with a good goalie and good work effort in addition to being talented.