Quote:
Originally Posted by InternationalVillager
The missing pieces for this team need to either be acquired through:
1. UFA - Not possible
2. Trade - Flames don't have the assets
3. Draft - Need to "tank" in order to maximize this
But let's go along with Option #2 - Building. Building what exactly? This core has been together for 6 years. What have they actually accomplished which gives the fan base any faith that they are able to contend for a Cup. Their #1 Dman is their 38 year old Captain. Gaudreau/Monahan are up for extensions over the next couple of years. You want to hand them extensions for another 6 years to do exactly what?
Monahan/Gaudreau aren't landing you elite pieces. Those are what you need. You can only really be "building" once your elite pieces are in place. Without them, your hockey team is dead in the water. Look around the league. Don't really see any teams competing for the Cup without elite players.
Giving your young players plenty of ice time and ability to develop shouldn't be hated. Stop considering "tanking" a sin. It's in the normal cycle of a sports team.
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I haven't made a judgment on tanking. You can include 'tanking' on the rebuilding timeline.
Sounds like you don't really need a letter sent to you proclaiming what the Flames are going to do then, right? Seems like you can recognize what is happening as it happens.
As for 'building what?" - Flames are trying to build a Stanley Cup winner. Until they turn around and start rebuilding (including tanking) or until they win a cup, that's where they are at. Sometimes an organization takes a step back - St. Louis started sliding and was looking like a failed rebuild, and then had a terrible start to a season, and managed to turn it around and win a cup. Pittsburgh built on a generational player and a near generational player (and then some), but managed to put a team together and win a cup. Then they slid for a while, seemingly further and further away from being a contender any longer, and then they win another cup.
This might be a slide. Either way, changes will be made. If those changes don't work, then the organization has to look at other changes, or just starting over and entering a rebuild.
I seriously doubt that they will rebuild. I am not against it, but it doesn't seem like that's the way they are going. So just enjoy the changes and see what happens.