Quote:
Originally Posted by JiriHrdina
You have to be pretty clueless to not realize that what the Flames have done in the last few years is the worst thing you can do - miss the playoffs...but barely.
But it is moreso based around the quality of player available at the high end of this year's draft, and the need for this organization to need a new centerpiece to move on from the Iginla/Kipper era.
That centerpiece will be available at the top of this year's draft.
All of a sudden you start to look ahead a few years and the future isn't as dim, as you start to drop in key pieces.
XX-Mackinnon-Sven
Gaudreau-Jankowski-XX
Arnold-Reinhart-XX
Bouma-Horak-XX
XX-Brodie
Sieloff-Wotherspoon (shutdown pair)
XX-XX
Ramo
Gillies/Broissot
I think pieces start to fall into place as long as some kids continue to develop.
I think the Flames can address one long-term need in this year's draft - either the elite centerman or #1 dman (Jones). They then need to find the other piece in next year's draft.
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They can do a lot this season at the trade deadline (or before) as well. A quick sell-off this year could expedite things in a huge way (like Ottawa did a few years back, when they dealt Fisher and Kelly)
Standing pat and holding onto players on expiring contracts (especially Mr. Iginla) can't happen again...it just can't. As long as we get some proactive management this season, the turn around could end up being quite quick.