Quote:
Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe
I don't think Feaster has 'built around' Iginla for the last 2 seasons. The Flames haven't been trying to get a #1 center to play with him, they are not trading away future pieces for vets. They seem to have been employing a strategy of building for the future (taking Jankowski for the 'home run' who needs a few years of development at least over selecting another player that could help sooner was a great example of this).
Either way, the Flames are building towards the future, and adding pieces that should be around by the time they hope to be finished. All their FA acquisitions have been in the mid to late 20's, and there is an emphasis on drafting in this organization. Jarome staying doesn't mean that the team will not rebuild, or that they will build around Iginla - merely they will just continue to do what they are doing with an aim of staying competitive and building for the future.
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I think you are misinterpreting Feaster's moves. The way I see it is that when Feaster took over as GM, he saw that Iginla had a few years of productivity left. That's why 2 summers ago Feaster tried to sign Brad Richards. They recently tried to acquire Ryan O'Reilly, whom Feaster believed to be a "franchise player" so presumably he was a #1 center to play with Iginla, but he was young to boot. Hudler turned 29 this year and Wideman turned 30 this year. Richards was just 31 when Feaster tried to sign him. They acquired Cammalleri. These were deals for the present and for the near future. Also, Feaster acknowledged that Weisbrod suggested trading the team's 1st round pick before Weisbrod saw Jankowski.
I'm not suggesting that Feaster is mortgaging the future for the present or building the future around Jarome. No. But Feaster has thus far emphasized the ability of acquisitions to contribute to the present. If the focus is on drafting and the future he would not have traded 2nd round picks in the Regehr and Cammalleri deal.