Quote:
Originally Posted by longsuffering
I honestly hope you're right.
I'm more in the "fool me once ..." camp.
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I think it is fair to feel that way... it has been a tough 3 years, no question. I think that as long as the fans are patient next season (and the remainder of this season), they won't do anything stupid. If the fans react by not supporting this team (or booing them), then I would expect (unfortunately) knee-jerk reactions from management.
I think the Flames don't intend to go too 'deep' in removing bodies, and if you look back at their moves for the last 12 months, they have all been of the 'younger player' variety when trying to acquire them. I think their "rock solid plan" was:
1)Remain competitive by identifying and signing free agents that can fit holes now, and into the future.
2)Focus on rebuilding the team slowly through the draft or trades, targeting young players.
Needless to say, they failed miserably this season. I just can't see how they would possibly spin a positive angle in the media about spending some of their futures on players to help them win now. I just don't think they are THAT incompetent (and I really don't like Feaster).
I do think their rebuild will be quicker than the Oilers', but based purely on SEEMINGLY drafting better than them, having a bit more in the pipeline than the Oilers did when they started theirs, and not tearing it down too badly (still have younger contributing guys to build around, and to support the influx of young bodies).
Whose to say what will really happen? I would just be surprised if they just deviated from this track that they have moved onto now.