Quote:
Originally Posted by CliffFletcher
I agree that a patient drafting and development strategy (assuming you can cultivate an organizational strength in drafting and development) is the best way to achieve long-term success in today's NHL. But I think the impatience that afflicts this franchise comes from the very top, from Flames ownership. Cheveldayoff has been very fortunate to have an ownership that support his patient approach.
And Treliving's most recent deal is very forward-thinking. Not many trades bring back 21 and 23 year olds of the pedigree of Hanifin and Lindholm.
|
It can't be argued that the Flames were ahead of the Leafs in their rebuild when Treliving took over and are now behind the Leafs. Sure the Leafs tanked and got Matthews but I feel they would have been pretty good even without him as the Marner and Nylander picks were good picks themselves and most of the players on their roster have been from Burke drafts/trades (Kadri, Reilly, Gardiner, JVR, etc) and the current regime. The Leafs have kind of leaned on their drafted guys while Treliving keeps making trades and shuffling his roster and unlike Treliving they made a big move for a young goaltender to shore up the future rather than go through the recycle bin of veteran goaltenders. I kind of hope that he sticks with this group to see it through as I'm not sure the constant changing of the roster is a positive thing. He's also going to have to sort out the goaltender position as it's still year to year which isn't good enough.