I like the fact that Flames management has been open about the goal to be competitive next year. Obviously you don't want to overpay for free agents or trade your picks/prospects away, but an accelerated rebuild is possible. Other teams have proven it.
I don't have the answers, as fans none of us do. However a few ideas I have to rebuild while remaining competitive would be:
- Establish a new culture around team toughness and team defense.
- Emphasize a systems approach, focused on team defense. Hartley is not known as a defensive guy but he is an NHL coach with a full staff, they should be able to figure out a system and implement it. Shot blocking and defensive awareness can be taught.
- Bring in some size and character. Doesn't have to be top end skill but focus on some crash and bang type players. You can't let other teams run your show. Team toughness can help swing and keep momentum in games.
- Give your young skilled players the opportunity to shine. Lots of ice time, power play time. Let the next generation know that they are going to be counted on and not penalized for every mistake.
- Ship out the freeloaders. Tanguay and Cammallerri I'm looking at you. These two primadonnas need to go. Buyout/waivers/whatever it takes to get them off the team before training camp.
Finally, for Flames ticket holders who sell/give away tickets to Oilers fans, you should be ashamed of yourselves. It was truly disgraceful watching the Saddledome get overrun by Oilers fans last night. The Oilers were pointing and waving to their fans in the crowd everytime they scored a goal. Yes we've had similar games in Edmonton over the past 5-10 years, but I don't recall a time when Flames fans were able to out-cheer the Oilers fans at Rexall.