Quote:
Originally Posted by Caged Great
Sometimes the rebuild starts before teams realize it and take action to do so. Vancouver's rebuild started in 2014, yet they likely won't officially kick it off for another couple years.
2011 was the first year where the Flames began focusing on skill rather than on grinders like they did in most of the prior drafts. They didn't commit all in until 2013 because there was no alternative to keep the veteran group together.
They just couldn't accept going all out into the rebuild until the same crap that happened in 2010, 2011, and 2012 was happening again in 2013. It was the same refusal to accept reality that probably lengthened the process, just like it did in Vancouver and Edmonton.
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I don't think you could argue the rebuild began in 2011 when he offer sheeted O'Reilly in 2013. You can't forfeit 1st round picks for high dollar players if you're rebuilding. Especially when that move is motivated entirely by 'We gotta put together one last run with the core'.