Every cup winning team in the last decade has had atleast one impactful top 5 pick.
2019 Blues and 2014 Kings only had one each.
2023 Knights had two but didn't draft either.
This is a trend and not the gospel obviously. Also almost every team has atleast one top 5 pick, including the flames in Lindholm, Huberdeau and Hanifin.
The more interesting trend to me is that all the teams except one had an impactful top 5 pick that they drafted. The one that didn't being Vegas who obviously had a very good expansion draft.
My key takeaway is that it seems like bottoming out works, although it may take awhile.
2023 - Golden Knights – Eichel (Traded 2nd) and Pietrangelo (signed 4th)
2022 - Avalanche – Mackinnon (Drafted here 1st) and Makar (drafted here 4th)
2021 - Lightning – Hedman (Drafted here 2nd), Stamkos (Drafted here 1st)
2020 - Lightning – Hedman (Drafted here 2nd), Stamkos (Drafted here 1st)
2019 – Blues - Pietrangelo (drafted 4th)
2018 – Capitals – Ovechkin (drafted 1st), Backstrom (drafted 4th)
2017 – Penguins – Crosby (Drafted 1st), Malkin (drafted 2nd), Fleury (drafted 1st), Kessel (Trade 5th)
2016 – Penguins - Crosby (Drafted 1st), Malkin (drafted 2nd), Fleury (drafted 1st), Kessel (Trade 5th)
2015 – Blackhawks – Kane (drafted 1st), Toews (drafted 3rd)
2014 – Kings – Doughty (drafted 2nd)
2013 – Blackhawks – Kane (drafted 1st), Toews (drafted 3rd)
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