The team isn't great, and it's possible it's not even good. Their record under Darryl was basically identical to their record under Ward.
The Flames are way out. Look at the Boston Bruins, Marchand, Pastrnak, Bergeron.... defense core is okay, goalie real good. And they got bounced here.
Gaudreau's great. But he's not Pastrnak for finish (or speed), he really isn't. So if the argument here is that the team has some really nice pieces (they do), and that a few more of the right pieces would make them say, a New York Islanders type of team, tough, gritty, fast... okay, I guess maybe.
But if the argument is that the Flames actually have plenty of elite level talent and it just kinda sorta didn't show up last year (or the year before), then I disagree, I don't think the Flames have much in the elite category.
So rip it. Not for magic beans, and not for "next year". Rip it up when it's right for contracts, when a strong draft is on the horizon, rip it up when you can rebuild it with something genuinely good. I'm not sure that's available right now.
Mediocrity, a competitive team that has some good nights and some bad ones, and sneaks into the playoffs - that's what the Flames are for some time to come barring a miracle.
|