I always hear people speculating that the owners/management don't want to do a full rebuild because they're afraid the fan base will disappear like it did in the late 90's. Obviously we know that most fans "in the know" would be okay with the decision, if it meant returning to being a division title competitor. The worry is always that the average fan would lose interest.
With the highly publicized rebuilds of the last 5-10 years, such as Pittsburgh, Chicago (and Edmonton, even if they haven't seen any actual success), could it be that even the general hockey fan now recognizes the value of being less than competitive for a few seasons in order to gain some valuable players for the future?
When I talk with my mom, who is a very casual fan, she's always asking me why I think the Flames aren't trying to do what the Oilers etc...are doing. Seems like this opinion now stretches beyond those unreasonably attached to the team, like most of us.
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