Quote:
Originally Posted by OutOfTheCube
Which is a poor line of thinking. This is a playoff team that went to the second round and are entertaining trading the leading scorer? Why aren't we talking about an extension?
Or are we simply accepting all the 'unsustainable!' people were correct, this team was playing way over it's head and is actually bad, and will not be any good next season, so it's better to stay in re-build mode?
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This was a playoff team based on circumstances both within and outside Calgary's control. They fought tooth and nail to edge into the playoffs this year, but were also the benefactors of shortcomings from other teams as well.
Los Angeles can very easily become a playoff team next season. As well, Dallas and Colorado should be right in the fold as they're on the up and up. Edmonton eventually is going to win in spite of themselves, and while Vancouver and San Jose are trending down, both should still compete for the playoffs and one of those teams, with a few moves, could easily turn their fate around on short order via a makeshift mini rebuild or what not.
Realistically, Calgary could play just as well next year if not better than this past season and find themselves on the outside looking in after 82 games. They faired much better last season than many had them pegged for, however, it does not mean their work is done on a rebuild based on this alone.
The notion to move Hudler makes sense, most notably based on where his contract stands at present and the parameters surrounding it. Staying put and resting your laurels on a team who made the playoffs on game 81 and benefitted from other teams faltering if even a little is not good business savvy. It's a false impression of a work still in progress. The Flames are clearly on the right track but still have some work to do within the foundation of a rebuild premise. And if they stay the course, it could make all the different for a long time between a team 'trying' to reach the playoffs each season based on circumstance, versus one of those teams expected to be in annually.
Just my thoughts for right or wrong.
Thanks for reading.