Quote:
Originally Posted by Bandwagon In Flames
A rebuild will continue until the team has a solid youthful core with depth.
- 2 top pairing defenseman - Check
- 1st line LW - Check
- 1st-2nd line C - Check
- 1st line RW -
- Starting Goalie -
- Depth - Check
Realistically I think the Flames are a goalie and 1st line RWer away from having a complete core. If we end up with a top line RW prospect/UFA and sign a good UFA goaltender, then I'd consider the rebuild over.
As we've seen with Edmonton, patience doesn't always pay off and in this cap era GM's need to know when to make a move.
That said, it's not like teams go immediately from rebuild to contender. It takes time to develop a young core, but the point of the rebuild is to acquire that main core in the first place.
I predict this will be the last full rebuilding season and the Flames will be a contender within 3 years.
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I wouldn't say we have a number one centre as of yet. If you factor in the fact that the Flames have one of the worst records in the league, here's how I perceive our roster today:
Gaudreau - XXXX - XXXX
Bennett - Monahan - XXXX
XXXX - Backlund - Frolik
Bouma - Jooris - Ferland
Giordano - Brodie
XXXX - Hamilton
Nakladal - Wideman
XXXX
Ortio
So there's a need for a number one centre, two top 6 RWs, a top 9 LW and a top 4 defenseman and starting goalie.