Quote:
Originally Posted by kermitology
Pretty much. I think the Flames are at a crux. If Gaudreau was coming up on free agency this year, or last year, I think that he would easily turn down the Flames, and that will continue to be the case unless we are showing signs of starting to turn the corner.
We will 100% present Gaudreau with the opportunity to play, but I think he will want to be in a position to win. I am worried about the amount of time this team will be in a bad situation when it comes to an ability to win. Gaudreau would certainly help there, but we need to make sure that we have a decent building block in place for a team that can be successful in 3-5 years.
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You know what young players want? An opportunity to play and to contribute. They don't want to go to a team where you'll be stuck in the minors behind some journeyman that has little to offer other than being an NHL name. Kids want to play in the NHL, learn in the NHL and help whatever team they are on be better. All this winning garbage is just that. These kids believe they can be a difference maker and they just want a chance to show it. Playing behind a bunch of veterans means not getting opportunity. The Flames can provide that opportunity and young players are happy to take it. That is why Schultz went to Edmonton. They were willing to give him top four ice time and let him play. Anaheim wasn't, so Schultz is an Oiler. Unless the Flames completely turn not a gong show, Gaudreau will be here and be a big part of our future because we can afford him opportunity to play.