Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - Difference between rebuild and business as usual

CliffFletcher · 02-13-2013, 07:39 AM

Since this fanbase has finally woken up to the prospect of a rebuild, it might be useful if we come to some understanding of what a rebuild is.

Some are claiming that carefully drafting and developing homegrown talent and feeding it into the roster is rebuilding. That turning over second tier players with free agents is a renewal. Well, that may be a fresh strategy for the Calgary Flames franchise, but it's business as usual for 80 per cent of the teams in the NHL. Everyone drafts and develops players. Everyone fills out their roster with free agents. Everyone has several prospects who look like they could be NHL calibre talents.

No, a rebuild is where you exchange depreciating assets for appreciating assets. It's where you set a horizon in the future - typically 3-6 seasons - where you want to maximize your strength, and you're willing to accept a loss of short-term assets to increase that long-term potential. In a rebuild, all assets that have peaked or are declining are on the table. And no, that strategy wasn't invented by the Oilers. It has been employed by many franchises in all leagues that are built through a draft.

Not all fans are going to like, or agree with, a strategy of short-term pain for long-term gain. Not all fans think it's worthwhile for the Flames to rebuild. And that's okay. Just don't call business a usual a rebuild. Because building through the draft with the normal allotment of draft picks is business as usual for NHL teams.

02-13-2013, 07:39 AM	#1
CliffFletcher Franchise Player Join Date: May 2006 Exp:	Difference between rebuild and business as usual Since this fanbase has finally woken up to the prospect of a rebuild, it might be useful if we come to some understanding of what a rebuild is. Some are claiming that carefully drafting and developing homegrown talent and feeding it into the roster is rebuilding. That turning over second tier players with free agents is a renewal. Well, that may be a fresh strategy for the Calgary Flames franchise, but it's business as usual for 80 per cent of the teams in the NHL. Everyone drafts and develops players. Everyone fills out their roster with free agents. Everyone has several prospects who look like they could be NHL calibre talents. No, a rebuild is where you exchange depreciating assets for appreciating assets. It's where you set a horizon in the future - typically 3-6 seasons - where you want to maximize your strength, and you're willing to accept a loss of short-term assets to increase that long-term potential. In a rebuild, all assets that have peaked or are declining are on the table. And no, that strategy wasn't invented by the Oilers. It has been employed by many franchises in all leagues that are built through a draft. Not all fans are going to like, or agree with, a strategy of short-term pain for long-term gain. Not all fans think it's worthwhile for the Flames to rebuild. And that's okay. Just don't call business a usual a rebuild. Because building through the draft with the normal allotment of draft picks is business as usual for NHL teams.