Hockey News Future Watch is generally accepted as a good guide. This year there were 23 NHL scouts involved in the rankings. The Flames prospects were ranked 22nd and that's about where they've been for the last four years (Sutter drafts).
The criticism from media-types is based on the assumption that the Flames will not be able to improve much by bringing in young talent. The Kings, Blues, Colorado etc have enough top-level young talent to make a real impact. As these players make the NHL, that top young talent should allow those teams to improve and become contenders. Of course, good drafting is only one of many factors in building a team.
Cap management, team budgets, trading and FA signings are other big factors. Unfortunately, the Flames GM lacks in those areas too except budget, which doesn't seem to help DS much.
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"Last season we couldn't win at home and we were losing on the road. My failure as a coach was that I couldn't think of anyplace else to play."
Harry Neale
Last edited by FastEddy; 04-11-2010 at 11:41 PM.
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