Quote:
Originally Posted by Enoch Root
There is no minimum time period required.
However, there is a certain amount of assets required. And the Flames simply don't have the assets for a quick rebuild.
Three firsts is awesome, but in all likelihood, only one of them will make the team next year.
Add Baertschi, the lottery pick, Horak, Bouma and maybe Reinhart and Breen to this team, along with a couple UFAs and is there a rational hockey fan alive that thinks that team could make the playoffs?
I am not trying to be a Debbie Downer here, but our D and our goaltending next year is going to be less than stellar
Nothing wrong with a little patience and sticking to a plan
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I'm not expecting it to be a quick rebound at all, but stranger things have happened. What if Wotherspoon and Cundari also step up and prove to be ready. (Feaster and co. say Cundari could be up with the Flames before this season is even done) What if Ramo/Berra prove to be able to bail out this team while it suffers through its inevitable hiccups. Another year of development from Backlund, who looks to be on a steady climb production-wise. Baertschi could break out at any moment, and a guy like MacKinnon could be good enough to be effective right off the bat.
And what about UFA signings (a guy like Khudobin) or cap-relief trades with teams that will be against it coming into next season? Too many factors.
There could be a lot more alterations to the current roster when 13/14 rolls around. Maybe they actually put together a roster that can gel under Hartley and compete.. crazier things have happened.
I personally think a 2-3 season rebound is more realistic, but we'll see.