Yeh, there are key pieces that every team really has to have to be a contender... not a fluke 1 year in Conference Semis... not 1-2 years where flirt with 100 points... but a team that will be in the mix amongst top ~8 teams in the league consistently for ~4-5 years minimum.
And it is crazy that more teams, writers etc don't speak about it... but SURELY they know that without a 1C and 1D they are going to be a ~2nd round exit team even with Michkov. Even if Farabee, Tippett, Frost, Foerster, Brink, Cates, York, Drysdale, Bonk, Andrae, Ersson etc ALL hit like the ~75th-90th centile of their potential.
Because even with great depth? 4 lines you can roll? ~6x 50 point forwards? A solid goalie? 4x top 4 Dmen?
If you don't have ~3 guys who are top tier talents, like best ~12-15 in their position in the league? Just so hard to contend vs the teams that have those gamebreakers.