Quote:
Originally Posted by browntrout
Not that my opinion would ever change anyone's else on this forum, but at the end of the day, the organization lost these players because they don't want to play in a small market and cold Canadian city, this situation is not unique to Calgary. Look what's happening in Winnipeg, all the Canadian players that loved playing in California, Stamkos deciding to stay in Florida, I find the majority of Russians prefer to play in the states, can't forget about Adam Fox. Even if we traded Gaudreau for a first and a prospect at the beginning of the year, its not enough to be anything meaningful. I like Calgary, but for alot of hockey players, they don't want to be here
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Jeeze, it's almost like the only way to win long term in a canadian market is to build from the draft over a period of 5-6 years and then lock the resulting star players into max length contracts as soon as possible. Almost like what the whole forum has essentially been advocating for for the last 10 years. We almost friggen did it and pulled up too early to try and get Hamonic. I am forgiving the Dougie get because he was a young stud D man in the core age range still. Anyways, reverse that Hamonic trade, we come out with Dobson on top of our current group and maybe that changes the outcome last playoffs. That was our chance. A few more pieces for other trades to bring in difference makers maybe too.
End of the day, the only way to get back here is start over. you're right, we're very unlikely to improve the team measurably through attracting free agents or hoping foreign players stay in Calgary into their 30s when they have contract freedom.