Quote:
Originally Posted by Enoch Root
You're half right. Yes, the STHs are their primary audience. But if you think STHs are 'are happy to just have a night out', then I think you are mistaken. Everyone wants the team to be successful, including STHs, and I would argue them even more so. Everyone is frustrated.
Where I think you have it wrong (along with many others on this board, and CGY12 in this thread) is that tearing it down last week isn't the only rational or sensible path. Yes, we all want to see a plan that is more cup-focused, and less 'make the playoffs' focused. But that doesn't mean that all of that change needs to happen immediately and in a panic. That change needs to be a long-term commitment, and it has to permeate into all of their decision making. That doesn't happen overnight.
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The team already showed a bit of panic with the actions they took last summer. Personally I was optimistic they would convert at least Huberdeau into future assets, but they chose a different path, more present centered direction. Totally understandable, with the wisdom of that decision yet to be determined. Judging the decisions made last summer by the outcome of this season is absolutely short-sighted, and as a fan I will give those decisions time to play out.
Unfortunately, careers have a life span and this version of the Flames is past it's, "salad days." They may have a couple of good seasons left in them, but we've reached the point where there are a number of diminishing assets in the ranks, which will continue to erode the value of those players with each passing season. This summer will be interesting, and represents another future vs. present dilemna. Traditionally management/ownership has attempted to pursue a hybrid approach, which generally yields a competent present return, and a lesser lottery ticket. I expect more of the same, and can appreciate the prudence of such an approach, the frustration for me is that this approach has produced a predictable, decent result.
I agree with management's assessment that this is a good team, but this is a league controlled by great. Maybe the Flames will luck into greatness, but as they say, fortune tends to favor the bold. I'm sure that season ticket holders would absolutely love to see a more dynamic squad on the ice, but those dynamic players tend to stay in place, or cost a large chunk of a team's future, and the Flames have already sacrificed a portion of the future for the team they have now. I understand that the "blow it up" sentiment is often nothing more than emotion, and such a course is not necessary at this point, but until the appetite of the ticket holder dictates something different, all involved should expect more of the same from ownership and management.