Quote:
Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle
I'm going to say the rebuild stops being a rebuild when the following two criteria are met:
- The Flames identify their core moving forward
- The Core (on average) reaches what are likely their prime production years.
Once those two criteria are met, it stops being a rebuild, and should move into optimization mode to give yourself the best shot at a cup. If you fail misserably and incorrectly identify your core, or fail to acquire a solid core, the rebuild should re-start and continue on (Oilers mode) or you end up toiling in mediocrity for years (Flames post 04) and should have actually torn it down.
I think many of us got a little a head of ourselves with rebuild vs not rebuild last year with the unexpected results. But the Flames are still very much in a rebuild, which I think is actually a head of schedule. When this process started 2 years ago, I don't think we thought we'd have identified our future core this quickly. Hopefully we haven't miss stepped, but I think Johnny, Mony, Bennett, Brodie, (even Gio) and the acquistion of Hamilton have all "over achieved" in their own way on what they could accomplish this quickly and what their project ceilings might be.
Now it's all about solid asset management so we can surround those players with the right support cast when they "collectively" peak in what will likely be 2 to 3 seasons from now. Oh, and just the small little task of finding a good NHL goalie to be playing in their prime at around that time frame also.
|
The core has been identified:
It is the guys on the team that have contracts out to 2017-18
Gio
Brodie
Hamilton
Frolik
Backlund
Stajan
Bouma
and after this summer Monahan and Gaudreau
That is it.... there will be some internal improvement from the guys under 25 Hamilton, Monahan and Gaudreau and Bennett if he qualifies for the core on his performance next season.
That is the core, it is in place and is what it is.
There is no salary cap room to add replacements for Hudler and Russell and no chance to add Lucic /okopos or Hamonic
the glaring thing is no NHL calibre goalie. Trevling knew that last summer but was unable to win a bidding war.
Very similar to the Wild before Dubynk.