Quote:
Originally Posted by Textcritic
That's just it though: we can't ever be sure until it happens. Do you think in Chicago when the Blackhawks drafted Kane in 2006 that they then decided the team was basically set and ready to win a Stanley Cup? No.
The problem is that there is only so much a team can plan for. The Flames cannot plan to be a bottom three team for three years, and then expect to start climbing the standings in year four towards a championship. All they can do is play the chips they have, and do their best to ensure that they get maximum value from them. If the team ends up drafting 7th instead of 1st or 2nd in June, the plan still has to be to turn that pick into an impact player who will help the team win in the long run.
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While true, its hard to say.... here is my prediction (could very well be wrong) : of the young players I see as cornerstone players, I would expect at least 4 of these players to be entering their 2nd (perfer 3rd) NHL year. This isn't an isolated rule, also depends on previous year's performance and if we got better or worse, or whether or not we have holes in key positions.
Right now, I see these core players meeting that 2nd or 3rd year min experiance:
Today : Brodie, Monahan
Next year? Brodie, Monahan, Gaudreau*
Year 3 : Brodie, Monahan, Gaudreau
Year 4 : Brodie, Monahan, Gaudreau, Porier, Sven*
Add Gio, Wotherspoon, Colborne, etc at your discretion.
Of coarse there is a transition period, personally just speculating based upon last year and our roster, I think we still have not yet hit the bottom or we are at the bottom, but we will probably be on the upswing next year. I like Treliving's additions of Hiller/Englland and the whole "create competition" philosophy - all his moves have been great IMO. Just wouldn't mind a nice draft pick thats all..... though it seems to be a lot tougher to be as crappy as Florida/Carolina/Buffalo/Edmonton, sweet jesus, can't believe those 4 teams suck so bad.