[driveway]

I am seeing exactly what I want to see the Flames do. And I am completely happy with everything that's going on with the franchise. I think they are approaching the rebuild exactly as they should. We've had one full season of being a bottom-dweller, based on the experiences of Chicago, Los Angeles, and Pittsburgh, which are clearly the franchises we are trying to emulate, we're looking at two to three more seasons in the basement.

From 02-03 to 08-09 Chicago had 79, 59, 65, 71, 88, then 104 points.
From 06-07 to 09-10 LA had 68, 71, 79, and then 101 points.
From 01-02 to 06-07 Pittsburgh went 69, 65, 58, 58, then 105 points.

If you pro-rate our 2012-13 42 points in 48 games, we had a 72 point season. So, 72, then 77. If we follow a similar pattern, which is I think the best-case scenario, we'll see two more lousy 70-point and lower seasons and then sudden, explosive improvement, which would be timed pretty nicely with the arrival and maturation of the young players we acquire whilst basement-dwelling.

The example I'd point to (which some posters on here seem to be indicating is either possible, or desirable) of who we don't want to emulate is the Panthers, who had seasons of 66, 60, 70, and 75 points from 00-01 to 03-04, then showed marked, but not colossal improvement from 05-06 to 08-09 with seasons of 85, 86, 85, and 93 points failing to make the playoffs in every one of those years.

Again, I love what the Flames are doing, I just think people who hope for, or expect us to, compete for a playoff spot this year are morons.

Also, the Oilers have gone 62, 62, 74, 77 (pro-rated), 67. They are behind schedule because they are no good.