Quote:
Originally Posted by traptor
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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Lightning also had Luke Schenn. 5th overall pick by TO.
Blues had Brayden Schenn. 5th overall pick by LA.
Avs had Landeskog. 2nd overall pick by them.
Kings had Gaborik. 3rd overall pick by Minnesota.
Going through the rosters, it's remarkable how many top-10 picks and even just how many first-round picks in general these teams had when they won.