The blueprint for success was brought to the Habs many years ago by Frank Selke Sr. Basically find good young, self motivated, team oriented talent for their minor league teams. Players who hate to lose.
I have a book with a picture of the 1964-65 Habs in a circle around coach Toe Blake and the only players who did not come from that program were Dick Duff and Gump Worsley. The rest of the team was home grown. That team went on to break a four year Cup drought and won 4 Cups in the next 5 years (only missing in 1967 when they were upset by the Leafs). Set the team up for the run in the 1970's too.
It's a different era now especially with the cap, number of teams and free agency but I believe the principle of assembling and developing young players is the same. Several teams that have had good success with their AHL teams which has translated to their NHL roster (Tampa, Toronto, Columbus, Pittsburgh...).
At some point the Habs fell behind the league in scouting and developing. The number of NHL players originally drafted and developed by the Habs is among the lowest in the league (I have posted the numbers at the beginning of each season in the Timmins thread).
Is there is a direct correlation? The two teams who had originally signed the most NHL players on opening rosters this season were the Hawks and Pens winners of 6 cups in the last several years.
I do believe there have been signs that the organization is trying to get back to the principles that made them a dynasty all those years ago. Bringing the AHL team to Laval, stockpiling draft picks, new coaches, focusing on identifying team oriented players.
Mr Selke inherited some great players when he took over the team (including the Rocket) but it was still several years before he won his first Cup with the Habs. I hope they are finally pointed in the right direction, but it will require patience and commitment.
