Quote:
Originally Posted by GranteedEV
I don't have a problem with "rebuilding" so to speak.
I have a problem with this management's definition of rebuilding, which is loading up on over-30 3rd/4th line/3rd pair players on 3+year contracts until there is no cap space to ever have the flexibility whatsoever to make a "Marian Hossa to Chicago", "Mike Richards to L.A.", "Jason Spezza to Dallas" type impact-trade/signing when the rebuild is deemed to be in its final stages. Since the "rebuild started" and Burke was brought in to be POHO, we've brought in Smid, Engelland, Bollig, Raymond, Brouwer, and we even extended Stajan. The Smid acquisition did not even resemble a Jay Feaster move, probably because it wasn't.
There are other teams that are rebuilding, too, some that started around when we did, that are simply much further along. Buffalo. Toronto.
Our rebuild more closely resembles the Oilers' rebuild circa 2014 what with their acquisitions of guys like Benoit Pouliot, Mark Fayne, Nikita Nikitin, Andrew Ference, with term and dollars that put them against the cap while being the worst team in the league. Actually scratch that because they were actually able to pull the plug quickly to flip some bad/not working veteran contracts (Smid/Perron) for prospects/picks. It's scary to think our GM's competence level is close to Craig MacTavish but it's becoming more and more clear. "It's a process" is just Trespeak for "Stay the course and we're better visually". Unlike them however there is no McDavid in our future.
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I very much disagree with your opinion. What 30 something has Treliving acquired? Brouwer and I guess Versteeg? Raymond was brought in to replace Cammalleri when he turned down a 3 year offer from the Flames. Raymond came in coming off a 19 goal 45pt season and was 28 at the time. Treliving couldn't just bank of Gaudreau being an instant star but that happened and Raymond flopped horribly. The Stajan, Wideman contracts were inherited by Treliving. Billing was acquired after playing 82 games with the Hawks the previous season. Turned out to be a dud but we are talking about a 3rd rounder and 300k in current cap space as 900k is buried in the minors
Smid totally reaked like a Feaster trade you are kidding yourself if it didn't. Engellend has proven to be a good signing. Also how are Toronto, or Buffalo ahead of the Flames in terms of a rebuild?
You also speak of flexibility to make a Hossa to Chicago (free agent signed to an illegal contract per today's CBA), Richards to LA/Speeza to Dallas. Can I ask you WTF was the Hamilton trade? To me that is a perfect example of using cap space and assets to acquire a player that his old team couldn't afford to keep. Instead of acquiring a 30 year old player we got a 22 year old. Treliving used assets he got by trading Glencross in the middle of a playoff race to do it.
You compare the Flames rebuild to the Pilers butninask you how the heck is Calgary supposed to get better veterans? They can't overly on term and dollars for better but still mediocre players like Okposo, Lucic, Erickson. They can't trade all their picks and prospects for aging vets either. They had some in house (Gio, Stajan, Wideman, Backlund). The Flames had needs for guys like Brouwer and Frolik and while they were not cheap they also are not crippling contracts.
The Flames also can't just gift Jankowski, Kulak, Shinkaruk, Wotherspoon etc too minutes as these players need to earn spots and take them from veterans.
Based on your criticisms I don't see how anyone could accomplish what you want realistically. I think Treliving has done a fairly good job. I certainly question the Elliott and Gulutzan moves as I was skeptical when they occurred and they look bad today. Not every move will be a winner. Treliving has restored the reputation of Calgary being a team that does well on trades and we have been able to scoop a top free agent the past 2 years with reasonable contracts.