Scholars must still be debating whether that had an effect on their cup success before and after that point.
of course it had an effect (I/M/O - but I'm not an expert). I think Larry Robinson was the first great non-Gallic surnamed player for them. I think Dryden was post the Gallic draft. Richard x2, Bellevue, Lafleur, Tremblay . . .
I suppose the counter was that, up through the 60s, the Leafs did pretty well.
If only Exposfan87 was here to settle the issue.