Fact of the matter is the Flames have never really been fortunate to have competent management. You only make the Hamonic trade if you are on the cusp of a Stanley Cup. This team got SWEPT in round 1 last year and now you turn around and trade your 1st rounder for a guy you want to slot in behind Gio, Hamilton and Brodie... i.e a #4 dman?? And don't lottery protect it.. it literally makes no sense.
Hiring coaches who are not a fit, trading away 1st rounders, signing veterans to gross over valued contracts, not addressing the goalie situation prior to this year, BT has actually done a terrible job.
The Penguins have won back to back cups, can anybody name their top 6 D over those 2 seasons? This idea that you need to be loaded on D and that it takes precedent over addressing issues up front is ridiculous, yet the Flames have had this strategy for what 10 years? First with the Regehr, Phaneuf and Bouwmeester trio and now with the current crop. The Preds are the only team that I can think of that have had any success in the last 10 years building from the back end out and they haven't won a cup, on top of that they actually have a really strong quick forward group.
The Flames are so thin up front its laughable, they lack speed, they lack skill, but sure lets continue to trade 1st rounders and continue to prioritize D over forwards during the offseason.
Don't get me wrong GG is absolutely putrid and the wrong guy to lead any team let alone the Flames, but BT should lose his job just for the Hamonic trade, let alone his overall perception of what wins in this league and every other bad move he's made.
Its frustrating but I'm used to the Flames being the most mediocre franchise in the NHL.
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