I can agree with that, to a degree. I cant agree that the same can be said for any team that has either missed the playoffs, or had minimal success while in the playoffs.
Take Florida for example, as one ridiculously described this whole debate "HF Florida Panthers effect."
Florida has had zero playoff success since making the SCFs in 96. But those playoff appearances after 96, and up until a few years ago, have zero effect on the team this year, or over the past two seasons where they lost the play in to the Islanders, and last playoffs to the eventual champs. There was never a time when they had an owner willing to spend money on the players, coaches, management staff, etc., or invest in the team itself. Viola has done all of that. He spends to the cap, spends the most on coaches, added to the scouting department, upgraded our training facility, and now builds our future training facility. The whole organization is focused on winning, and its the first time that can be said, from ownership to the players,. And its evident by the improvement of play of the last few seasons. Its been an upward trajectory for the Panthers just before the play in season.Now, if Florida goes the route of Toronto, and starts losing in the first round over the next few seasons, then you can bring up the character, or mental weakness, of the team. But you havent seen that yet.
Now the same cant be said about the Leafs. They were on the trajectory the Panthers are on now, a few seasons ago, but they have stalled. For one reason or the other, they havent been able to make it past the first round. Maybe its bad luck. An injury. Or like you said, a lack of character or mental strength. But they still are a talented team. They are flawed, and still will be doubted once the playoffs start, but I still have them better than some of the teams not yet voted in. I think the Leafs, Habs, and Bruins fight for the 3/4/5 slot, and I wouldnt be shocked if Montreal were to be ahead of either one of those teams towards the end of the season. If the Habs didnt have the offseason they had, and lose key players to injuries, maybe Id have them higher on my list. I just think that compared to the teams already voted, And while character does seperate the contenders from the pretenders, character also gives us Cinderella runs, like the Habs last year, or even the 96 Panthers.
