What's the sample size on that, like 4 teams?
Since the '94 draft there are 11 teams that fall into this really specific set of circumstances (and that's only if I open it to top 4 picks).
Years Team Picks
94-96 Ottawa 311
95-97 Islanders 234
96-98 Sharks 223
99-02 Thrashers 1312
00-03 Jackets 4x14
01-03 Panthers 433
03-05 Canes 243
03-06 Pens 1212
04-07 Hawks 3x31
10-14 Panthers 33x21
10-15 Oilers 111x31
Ottawa, San Jose Pitt & Chicago definitely turned it around.
The Canes won the '06 cup, but then didn't make the playoffs until this past season. Is that a turn around?
After 4 years the Islanders make the playoffs 4 of 5 seasons (never making a conf final) and then miss for the next 5 years.
Florida is on here for 2 different stretches and in neither case did they turn things around.
After '03 the Blue Jackets made 1 playoff appearance in 9 years.
After the '02 pick the Thrashers made the playoffs 1 time and if you include the move to Winnipeg it was 1 time in 12 years.
Of course we know the tale of the mighty Oilers.
So 4 of 11 had sustained success with conference and cup finals appearances.
If you stick to the top 3 picks only in a 4 year span then 4 of 7 turned it around.