[DeluxeMoustache]

Very good article. It is interesting to see how successful rebuilds have happened and also consider what the finished roster looked like. These teams not only put together the right cores but paid attention to the role players required too.

Not sure that Jankowski projects to be the third line C. This often is the guy that wins draws in the d zone, is tough to play against, shuts down the opposition, and moves the puck up ice. Guys like Staal, Bolland, etc. Stephane Yelle served the Flames well in this capacity though Staal had more offensive upside. Even the Oil recognize this adding Smithson.

The top line centers also have a very good 2 way game in these cases. Something that Olli unfortunately never progressed to above average.

That is what was perplexing about the patchwork approach the past few years. More and more interchangeable wingers. Generalists, not specialists. You can still have top talent on the wings, but you need good 2 way guys up the middle.

They also have guys that get under the other team's skin.

And on size, the Flames entered the season 30th at an average of 195 lbs. They started the season needing to use speed and compete but this faded. They lost confidence and compete.