Quote:
Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina
I think many people believe a full and proper re-build is the right way to go but also acknowledge that it's unlikely - and thus tire of complaining and whining about it constantly.
So we talk about other things, including what the team should do based on, what is probably an accurate, assumption that they aren't going to tear it down.
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Spot on. I believe the Flames are chasing a mirage in believing they can largely supplement the current roster and ice a team that takes a run at a cup, but there is nothing to suggest this isn't the course. From a business standpoint, and a professional standpoint, it would take a GM with a granite groin to take apart a team that has qualified for the playoffs two out of the past three years, and start a full rebuild. Do most of us believe the Flames are legitimate cup contenders? Probably not, but the Flames need to sell tickets and rebuilds are dicey propositions at best.
The fan in me would start a rebuild immediately, as I can't see the components on this roster being capable of challenging teams like the AVs or Knights in a seven game set in the near future, but I'm not the GM and that's a tough call to make when a byproduct of your efforts is supposed to encourage ticket sales. If the team was guaranteed to maintain current ticket sale levels, and obtain future NHL impact players in deals, I think they'd already be in a rebuild, but those issues cannot be guaranteed. There is a big difference between being satisfied with your squad, and being at a point where the uncertainty of a rebuild is warranted. If they miss the playoffs this year, it will be hard to justify staying the course, but that is yet to be seen.
The Bennett deal shows the Flames do have an eye on the future, but I would be shocked if the team turned a Sean Monahan, a Johnny Gaudreau, or a Matthew Tkachuk into future assets. The Flames are in a tight spot, but given the chatter about potential moves, I don't believe that Treliving sees this team as a Neal or Brouwer away from contention, and that's a good thing. It's difficult to envision the team making a bold move towards the future when they have a legitimate shot at the post season, and as much as we may believe this course will eventually lead to some serious pain, it's just too early to scorch the earth around this team from a management standpoint. Hope I'm wrong.