The lessons learned, even if they get swept in the first round, would be tremendous.
If this bunch gets you close come trade deadline, it would send an Oiler's style 'losing is OK' message to the group if Flames deal away players that could help make that final push.
No way Treliving or Burke let that happen.
Hartley has said just making the playoffs is a 50% grade for the season. That reflects the org's mindset. It is this team's job to make the playoffs, and once init to win it. They don't care what experts or punters think. They are setting very high internal expectations and are holding people accountable to it. That's awesome, high performance thinking.
It's not contrary to the rebuild ethos. They are not trading away the future for any knights in white armor who can come in to save the day.
IMO that _is_ staying the course. Win it it with what we have, failing that regroup in the post season. That's why the Flames rebuild is awesome, where most others suck.
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