The Flames have a young core. Most good teams that end up being competitors compete with a young core.
Flames key players and ages
Gaudreau - 23
Monahan - 21
Bennett - 20
Backlund - 27
Brouwer - 31
Tkachuk - 18
Frolik - 28
Hamilton - 23
Giordano - 32
Brodie - 26
Tampa for comparison
Kucherov - 23
Stamk - 26
Filpulla - 32
Johnson -26
Killorn -26
Namestnkiov - 23
Drouin - 21
Palat - 25
Hedman - 25
Stralman - 30
During the Hawks first run Kane, Toews, Versteeg, Ladd, Bolland, Keith, Barker, Buff, Brouwer, Seabrook, Hjalmarsson were all under the age of 25. It is not uncommon for good teams to compete with a core around the same age as the current Flames. What is more common is if you can't compete when your best players are 21-26 you are not likely to ever compete. That year may not be this year, but it is rare for a team to suck with truly elite young players like the Flames allegedly have.
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