Quote:
Originally Posted by killer_carlson
I think we're going to be sellers.
A lot of teams are going to wait for the break, but there might be better deals to be made if you're the first seller on the market.
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Could be, but in this division, no team is that far out of it (though there are 6 weeks to go before the deadline).
Selling all the vets doesn't give a great message. The Gio thing last year was a rallying thing; the loss of Russel, while not devastating, wouldn't be that same rallying point.
Same with losing physical guys like Jones; you're not replacing that experience with a guy from the farm for a playoff race run, and Jones was huge in the playoffs last year.
Ditching Hudler, if the return is even there depending on his injury and fitness condition, same thing...the skill, experience, and chemistry he had last year with JG and SM is not going replaced.
It'll be a balancing act...return has to be factored in, but the bigger question is, similar to last year. If the Flames are still in the relative hunt, with 5 weeks to go in the season at the end of Feb; is the run of chasing the playoffs, and making them, thus making/developing the young guys "better" and making the team better in the long term vs. ditching the season by dumping multiple vets, and getting some building pieces that will turn out in 2-5 years?
Last year it was only Glencross really on his way out, and it was a feel good thing for fans and probably teammates, so that he could see a pay day and a Cup run....this year, the mood will be different, as mentioned, if Hudler, Jones, Russell etc are all flipped for picks in advance of any stretch run, and IMO, don't see the Flames making the playoffs if they sell everyone who's going to be a FA.