Being from Toronto (though a Flames fan), I don't see the Flames as a laughing stock, though many of the moves reek of ownership not willing to do a proper rebuild. Getting into the playoffs isn't good enough, but to ownership, as long as they make the playoffs, that's money in their pockets. While I really really hate Cox's writing (because he is an egomaniac), there are parallels to the Leafs teams while Sundin was here. Signing guys past their prime (Lindros, Allison, etc) and refusing to deal their captain because of he was the face of the franchise, was a huge step back. The only team that I can think of that hasn't had a real rebuild that has been consistently successful has been Detroit, but they've also built through smart deals, and of course, drafting. No doubt Sutter left this team in a really bad situation with 14 or whatever, no movement clauses (!), but with a so-so aging team, and some decent prospects in the pipeline, this is the perfect year to start the rebuild. Baertschi, Gaudreau, Jankowski are guys who'll take time to develop but are solid prospects. Dealing Iggy will get a great return at the deadline in a year where mediocre teams in the thick of things will make an overpayment hoping to make the playoffs. Without question he could get picks and a high-end prospect. Kiprusoff could probably get a bit more on a team desperate for goaltending. Bouwmeester, if he keeps up his play could probably net a mid-first rounder. Other guys like Tanguay and Cammallari can get decent returns too. If ownership wants to take a step back to move a few steps forward, they'd set the Flames up for a much better future. The fans have shown they don't mind a few years to retool (as witnessed in the early 2000's). Time for ownership to step up and do the right thing.
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