The Flames have about $44 million tied up in 8 skaters. (Gaudreau, Monahan, Brower, Frolik, Gio, Hamilton, Wideman, Brodie). Seven of these were acquired by previous regime. All but one is playing on a LT contract negotiated by BT. Wideman obviously will be gone by EOY at latest.
So there's your core. It's BT's core now. These are BT's goalies. BT's coach.
I believe its true in any sport that you win or lose based on performance of your best players. These are the guys that need to carry the team to improvement this year.
The "rebuild" phase is over. The team is definitely still building but the core has been identified and locked up long term.
This team needs to show steady improvement or everyone's job is on the line. And the next GM will be talking about how he is handcuffed by bad contracts to unmoveable players.
Two games do not a season make but this year is pivotal.
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