Quote:
Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle
I don't think the Flames intentionally rebuilt in 2013. I think they were forced into that situation. The Feaster years prior to that, when it was obvious that version of the Flames the Iginla / Kipper Core weren't going to get it done, was full of tinkering and attempting to make the playoffs between 2010 and 2013. True, we moved on from some of those players once contracts started to expire or near expiry, but IMO that was a forced hand once runway ran out on those contracts (i.e. they were expiring)
Even after that, I would say many of BTs first moves from that point on didn't ring with a "true rebuild". They were ice as competitive team as possible while we build up type move. Some of the veteran contracts he brought in, which I know, you could argue you need some vets not only to fill out a roster, but to help develop the new team members, still didn't feel like scorched earth, let's finish as low as possible moves.
Maybe I'm wrong, but to me that felt like we had to rebuild because our tinkering failed and contracts expired, versus an ok, let's pick as high as possible for the next few years and turn this around.
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I agree they were forced into it in 2013 and were 2 years too late on that but forced or not they decided to turn over the team and aimed to pick high.
I think it is pretty risky to be really bad on purpose for longer than you need to especially in a market like this. Due to some savvy deals the Flames had 5 players picked in the top 6 over 4 drafts and also were fortunate to hit on some mid-late round picks.
When you look at their roster 2/3 of the top line and second line were players drafted by the team with another couple of guys in the bottom 6. 2 of their top 4 D were also drafted by the team and another was a 5th overall pick acquired at 21.
Forced to rebuild or not they took the approach to draft high for a few years and at the time they started to push forward they had Monahan, Gaudreau, Bennett, Hamilton, Tkachuk as their young core. A couple years later they step back and turn a prospect who doesn’t want to sign a 25 year old and 27 year old and turned them into former 5th overalls who were 23 and 21 at the time.
You play in a $hit market like Calgary it gets very risky to try and have an extended period of sucking. Edmonton picked top 10 11 of 13 years and only 7 years after they picked a once in a generation type player do they look like a team that can contend for a little while. Buffalo has picked high for a decade and still not out of the woods yet.
What is a proper rebuild? 5 years of high picks? 10?