I don’t think the argument is that top 10 guarantees success. The argument is that the path to success typically involves having elite forward talent that is most often only found at the top of the draft.
I can’t think of too many Stanley cup teams in the last 10-20 years that lacked top forward talent drafted at the top of the draft. St. Louis and the kings maybe?
Those draft picks listed are literally all forwards.
Other than a "not invented here" bias, why try to have it both ways? Fact is we already have top 10 pick forwards. We did not draft them. We have them anyway.
Whether someone likes those players or thinks they suck is an opinion and this post isn't meant to sway that opinion. Regardless it does not change where these guys were drafted.
PS: I think there is a bias towards the superstars on a roster. We're not a Cup contender this year, but every time I watch a national telecast with the Preds, the commentators gush praise for Roman Josi, Matt Duchene, etc. Those are the faces of the franchise and they get the headlines.
On the other hand, winning a Cup is more about a team in my opinion. You have to have depth and be able to roll lines and have decent defensive pairings that don't give up goals consistently. Not to mention a goalie on a hot streak in the playoffs may be the most important aspect of all. Take Vegas. They overhauled a deep roster of non-stars that played an aggressive style that really worked well for them, and turned it into a team with some highly paid (super)stars. They gutted their depth. A few injuries later, they are playing golf and not in the playoffs...
At any rate, there is more than one way to get there.