Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - The Flames and Oilers rebuilds similar beginings

Meers · 08-06-2013, 08:15 PM

Today's model for success with a complete rebuild is Chicago during the half decade from 02/03 to 07/08 when they missed the playoffs.

Ideally, I'd rather have Feaster looking to the Windy City rather than Calgary's neighbor to the North for a blueprint.

Accordingly, I think the pertinent question is not how the Flames' rebuild compares with the Oilers'. Rather the question should be whether the Flames are where the Blackhawks were four years into their rebuild?

When you look at how Chicago rebuilt from 02/03 to 07/08 and put in place the key players for it's 2010 Cup win, a few things become clear:

Players Drafted

Keith 02 - 54th
Seabrook 03 - 14th
Byfuglien 03 - 245th
Bolland 04 - 32nd
Bickell 04 - 41st
Brouwer 04 - 214th
Hjalmarsson 05 - 108th
Toews 06 - 3rd
Kane 07 - 1st

Players Acquired in Trades

Sharp 05/06
Versteeg 06/07
Havlat 06/07
Ladd 07/08

Free Agents

Niemi 08/09
Campbell 08/09
Hossa 09/10

Firstly, the Hawks' draft picks were the most vital element to their Cup success. But, aside from Toews and Kane, many of these players were not high draft picks. Chicago did very well with their drafting in the late first round and subsequent rounds to find key talent and role players. So scouting junior talent is key. Secondly, Chicago was active in the trade market and able to bring in talent via trades. Finally, top end free agents like Hossa and Campbell were added after the rebuild had been largely completed to push an already solid team over the top.

So, are the Flames where the Blackhawks were four years into their rebuild?

The answer, to my mind, is . . . probably not. I can't quite see Monahan being the next Toews. But, more importantly, I don't see a Norris calibre Keith/Seabrook-type blue line pairing slowly honing their craft on the Flames, or a serviceable monster like Byfuglien on the squad, or an emerging checking centre like Bolland developing, or a quality second-liner like Sharp having been brought aboard.

The Hawks managed to accumulate quite a bit of talent during their first four years wandering the non-playoff wilderness. The Flames, sadly squandered some of their years of suckage - and not having any first or second rounders in the 2010 draft certainly didn't help.

Ah well, as a famous American advice columnist once said, "It gets better."

(Unfortunately, that author also assumed that the advice recipient would be repeatedly sodomized for years on end . . . which, sadly, is how the next few seasons of Flames hockey are shaping up.)

08-06-2013, 08:15 PM	#40
Meers Powerplay Quarterback Join Date: Jun 2007 Exp:	Today's model for success with a complete rebuild is Chicago during the half decade from 02/03 to 07/08 when they missed the playoffs. Ideally, I'd rather have Feaster looking to the Windy City rather than Calgary's neighbor to the North for a blueprint. Accordingly, I think the pertinent question is not how the Flames' rebuild compares with the Oilers'. Rather the question should be whether the Flames are where the Blackhawks were four years into their rebuild? When you look at how Chicago rebuilt from 02/03 to 07/08 and put in place the key players for it's 2010 Cup win, a few things become clear: Players Drafted Keith 02 - 54th Seabrook 03 - 14th Byfuglien 03 - 245th Bolland 04 - 32nd Bickell 04 - 41st Brouwer 04 - 214th Hjalmarsson 05 - 108th Toews 06 - 3rd Kane 07 - 1st Players Acquired in Trades Sharp 05/06 Versteeg 06/07 Havlat 06/07 Ladd 07/08 Free Agents Niemi 08/09 Campbell 08/09 Hossa 09/10 Firstly, the Hawks' draft picks were the most vital element to their Cup success. But, aside from Toews and Kane, many of these players were not high draft picks. Chicago did very well with their drafting in the late first round and subsequent rounds to find key talent and role players. So scouting junior talent is key. Secondly, Chicago was active in the trade market and able to bring in talent via trades. Finally, top end free agents like Hossa and Campbell were added after the rebuild had been largely completed to push an already solid team over the top. So, are the Flames where the Blackhawks were four years into their rebuild? The answer, to my mind, is . . . probably not. I can't quite see Monahan being the next Toews. But, more importantly, I don't see a Norris calibre Keith/Seabrook-type blue line pairing slowly honing their craft on the Flames, or a serviceable monster like Byfuglien on the squad, or an emerging checking centre like Bolland developing, or a quality second-liner like Sharp having been brought aboard. The Hawks managed to accumulate quite a bit of talent during their first four years wandering the non-playoff wilderness. The Flames, sadly squandered some of their years of suckage - and not having any first or second rounders in the 2010 draft certainly didn't help. Ah well, as a famous American advice columnist once said, "It gets better." (Unfortunately, that author also assumed that the advice recipient would be repeatedly sodomized for years on end . . . which, sadly, is how the next few seasons of Flames hockey are shaping up.)