I always thought that was the Rangers plan anyway in 05-06. Sather walked ass backwards into 1996 Jaromir Jagr and a 7th round pick goaltender.
But now, years later, I read this thread and - wouldnt you know it - Jason Ward and Dominic Moore were players worth mentioning as some sort of pioneers of a pragmatic youth movement.
It didnt happen like that.
I agree that Moore and Ward weren't part of this youth movement. Or an important part anyways. However, Lundqvist, Staal, Callahan, Dubinsky, Girardi-these were the first wave. Followed by Stepan, Del Zotto, McDonagh, Anisimov, and most recently, Hagelin and Kreider. All of whom were drafted (or signed as an undrafted free agent), and developed within the organization. Except for McD, who was obviously targeted, but really, was not developed by the Habs at all.
This isn't the NBA. You can't have 2-3 superstars and expect to win. It just doesn't happen. You need depth. An elite goalie and a strong 1st line won't win anything. We haven't drafted superstars on the front end. That's OK. As Cally's Chicken Parm said, Crosby and Malkin won't be there at pick #15. Some teams get their superstars through the draft. We have two free agents, and a guy who was traded to us for the players that headed the youth movement. The core of players was drafted by the NYR.