The only guarantee with this rebuild moving forward is not in how successful the Flames will be. It is that they will actually fire incompetent management, rather than promote them.
With that being said... I can't think of another example in the league that went through a rebuild for this long while being a team that will spend to the cap. You can make excuses for NYI, Chicago for years, Florida - the list goes on. These teams all had one common factor - they had a self-imposed team cap.
Penguins, Chicago (once their old owner passed, and they got owners committed to winning) and others who actually spent the money the Oilers did became not only a winning team, but legitimate contenders (or champions).
As for Yakupov himself - I don't blame him too much. The lack of accountability and leadership on that team stinks something putrid. I think he is a heck of a prospect, and once moved will start to really shine.
What is Eakins to do? He can only bench Yakupov so many times. The fault lies in the leadership group - having too many seasons in which they were never held accountable, and always praised for their offensive contributions. Hall, RNH and Eberle are all hot garbage in terms of two-way play, and are never seemingly accountable (and never were).
That right there is why that organization is a failure. Every other team makes their rookies earn their spots, and grow in a culture that passes on responsibility, professionalism and integrity. The Oil kids get praised for their offensive contributions, and little else it seems.
Eakins has a tough road ahead of him. Yakupov is definitely the starting point, but some time this season he is going to have to do the same to Hall, Eberle, RNH, Shultz and whomever else deserves it. Will he dare do it? Time will tell. He is basically guaranteed his job for this year and POSSIBLY next year just having a slight improvement. He may get fired if he loses the room. Tough gig for a rookie coach. He may feel he won't get another shot in the NHL if he fails. Will be interesting what transpires as the season moves along.
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