[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

5 years is a long time. In professional sports, it's difficult to plan for anything more than that.

Five years is a long time. That's about how long it takes to develop a draft pick into a player that will consistently produce in the NHL. It is a lengthy process and not something you don't plan on. So if you go get Eichel today, and draft players to support him in the first possible draft, you are unlikely to see a player capable of play at or near Eichel's level for five years. Since it would cost us our best player, our best prospect, and our best pick - to start - we would be way behind the eight ball in seeing anything tangible hit the team before Eichel is ready to bolt.

Treliving has always said he wants to ice the best team possible, and Jack Eichel is the best player (known to be) available, and it's not even close. He also addresses a need that needs to be addressed.

Emphasis added because it really is lost on you and the vast majority that are clamoring to get Eichel. Treliving is building a team, not a collective of individuals. You need more than one guy at center. You need talent to surround him, and based on Eichel's performance in Buffalo, you need a #### load of talent around him to win. Eichel is not a team player, and he has made that abundantly clear in his comments and wishes. He will go where he wants to go, which is counter to the type of players Treliving is looking for.

This assumption that Jack (or Johnny...or whoever else) won’t sign here are just silly at this stage.

No, it's not silly, it is the reality we most likely face. Getting big name talent to come to Calgary is tough. Getting them to stay has been just as hard. Unless we want to be a team like the Oilers, with two or three good players, and a load of crap, this team needs to build through development of depth and having a great team. Once you do that, then you will attract the Piertangelos and Stones of the league.

The big question mark that has been living in everyone's mind was whether or not Johnny would bolt to Philly at first light...and? Nope. He wants to sign here long-term and play the rest of his career here.

Gaudreau did not say what you are suggesting. He did not come right out and say he's going to sign here and stay here the rest of his career. Sure, Johnny will stay here and play here for the rest of his career, if the Brinks truck backs up to his house. There's the problem. Outside of money, which every team can offer, his other motivators are clearly elsewhere. But that is here nor there. Gaudreau's status has nothing to do with Eichel's, or vice versa.