Quote:
Originally Posted by Textcritic
I was only pointing to the fact that teams can actually succeed with a rotation of starting goalies, and I don't think acquisition cost is relevant to that point. I realize that you are fixated on draft picks that are spent every year, but there comes a point where the value of the asset outweighs the <20% chance to draft a NHL player. I would argue that the accumulation of picks is not as important at this stage of their cycle as it was three years ago.
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When you are at a geographical disadvantage in attracting free agents picks will always be significant. At this stage, with this much evidence, I don't see how you can argue otherwise.
Picks have serious value and serious flexibility attached to them (hence the value). So far this year the Flames have traded away 2 third round picks, a second rounder and as yet to be determined 5th rounder.
If the flames end up making the playoffs next year that will be 3 consecutive years the team has moved a second round draft pick. In the last two years the flames have spent a second, a third and a 5th rounder on goaltending. This is potentially a larger package of picks than either San Jose or Edmonton gave up their starters, and it looks like all Calgary will have to show for their 2nd rounder was a 4 game sweep in the playoffs.
You just can't throw that amount of picks at a problem without it hurting you. As a contender, you need those picks in the next few years to round out your cap-strapped roster with cheap rookie salaries. Backlund might double his salary, you hope Bennett has justified a top salary and Tkachuk looks like he's on pace to be a 6 million dollar player when his deal is up as well. At that point you'd better hope there are some guys in the system who could conceivably step into the lineup without costing an arm and a leg.
The kings have drafted 33 times in the last 4 drafts. The hawks 41. The Flames 35 selections over the same span. The Flames have made 7 second round selections in that span, the hawks 6 and the kings 5. That is just not good enough to outcompete the competitive advantage those franchises enjoy when those other teams are also deficit spending chasing a cup. The flames are deficit spending to field a competitive roster.
If the flames don't start hitting some home runs with picks outside the first round, they may never actually reach contender status.
It's no coincidence that the best prospects in the organization right now were all drafted in the second round, or that the organization hit rock bottom after not drafting in the second round for essentially the entirety they were a contending team during the Iginla era.
I'm not suggesting you can't trade picks, but they matter more to a team like Calgary than they do a team like the hawks, so the Flames have to be craftier with them. If you're going to move 2x2nd round picks in a calendar year, do it at one time to get the right player instead of spreading that pain over 2 trades.
The flames were in a cap crunch which is what made Elliott so attractive last year at 2.5, but then if that is the case, be patient, stay the course and stomach missing the playoffs and keeping your 2nd round pick while adding another one by moving assets at the deadline.
I like treliving a lot, but the Flames at this point basically can't afford to move any more picks out without getting a bunch, or significant, picks in return.