Quote:
Originally Posted by dobbles
So we can talk about all these teams that failed to commit to a true rebuild, but who are we holding up as the shining example of a team that tore it all down and rebuilt a powerhouse?
A lot of people seem to think that should be the plan, or should have been in the summer. But who are you trying to emulate????
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Colorado, Chicago, Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh, Los Angeles... Pretty much any team with multiple Stanley Cups over the past 15 years had multiple high draft picks on them (and I'm including the Avs in there because I think they'll win another before their time is up).
Sure, you could turn out like Buffalo, but that's a risk worth taking.
The reality is that most successful rebuilds include an element of luck. You have to draft in the first round, and you have to hit on your picks. And it's a lot easier to hit on a top 3 pick than it is on the 15th overall pick.
Yes, I'm aware there are other ways to build a team, but I think through the draft is clearly the best way to go. As bad as Buffalo has been, at the very least the fans could be sold on the future and that team is looking like they're ready to be competitive again soon. Some of the best seasons I had as a Flames fan was from 2013-2015 watching Monahan, Gaudreau, and Sam Bennett's progression. You knew the team stunk, but you watched anyway and had something to cheer for and be excited about. Flames lose 4-3 but the young guys had 3 points? Fun to watch.
This team just feels like a group of hired goons that I have no emotional attachment to. I invested a lot of my fandom watching the last core develop from young prospects into legit NHL talent. I want to have a team that excites me again in some way.