I certainly understand the thirst for youth in the lineup, and if the Flames were a team expecting to finish 6th this season I'd be clamouring for Setoguchi, Jones and others to be moved to the sidelines.
Bottom line ... the team isn't in that position.
I see it as 24 months, and what's best for every single asset in the organization to be the best player they can be at that time. Is Gaudreau better off playing NHL hockey? Then play him there. Is Bennett? Ortio? Wotherspoon? Granlund? Those are the questions.
Plus ... I don't think its lost on Treliving or Burke that they may be better off having young guys winning at the AHL level and reclamation projects like Setoguchi sputtered at the NHL level while trying hard, and keeping the team in 30th place.
There's tanking, and there's strategic management. Big difference
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