Quote:
Originally Posted by GGG
We are getting to the end of the cycle. In retrospect trading iggy for schenn, simmonds and a first would have started the rebuild sooner but not really changed the duration of it. Instead management decided that while we have the best player to ever play for the flames and a vezina caliber goalie we will take our best shot at winning. I think this was a reasonable approach despite the long odds.
This year is clearly different, we arent competitive at all, the Jarome Iginla era of the flames is clearly over. As long as management realizes this at this deadline I am okay with how the last three years were handled.
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It may have been a reasonable approach, but ultimately good management requires a sense of what the future holds, and the wisdom and courage to take bold steps. Feaster and the collective brain trust blew it in this regard. The easy, safe path was to stay the course and hope for a 6th-8th place finish. Even if that happened the team would still be in the same place today. If... that deal involving Shenn, Simmons and a first was on the table, then Feaster and King should not only be shown the door, but a mental health evaluation should be court ordered.
Despite his struggles during his tenure, I still like Jay Feaster for some reason. He may be a dead man walking, but if he still has any power it's time to drop a set and get bold. Given the hole they've put themselves in by refusing to be proactive, stockpiling picks is probably the best the team can do, but that doesn't mean those players are 3+ years from contributing. Every year guys jump from juniors/NCAA and impact at the NHL level. The Flames just need to identify these guys. It ain't easy, but thats how its going to have to be done.
I truly believe that there is a scouting staff in place to accomplish this, its just time for Feaster and Co. to lay caution aside and trust what they have in place. In short a culture change is in order and it starts with management. This team has mirrored management's survival mentality and its time to be aggresive and start rewardinig risk instead of merely attempting to avoid failure. Somehow I trust that this will happen with this deadline being very productive, but fans must accept that picks and not second tier prospects are the first step in this renovation.