Quote:
Originally Posted by Buff
The Flames need to go out and get a #1 center to play with Baertschi.
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#1 centers under the age of 28 don't grow on trees. They'll need to draft one. In fact, outside of Baertschi, the Flames pretty much need to draft a new core. That's the reality ownership and management need to recognize. You can't build a winner through free agency.
Look at the Blues. They have a payroll $13 million lower than the Flames. Take Hudler, Wideman, Cervenka, Stajan out of the picture and replace them with entry-level contracts. That will give you an idea of the resources they have to work with. So what was their strategy under Davidson? Stockpile picks and prospects. Eschew free agents. Draft and develop their own core of young players. Forego the quick fix.
But that takes discipline and patience - two qualities Flames ownership and management have not demonstrated.