Quote:
Originally Posted by CliffFletcher
The Devils, Sabres, Wings, and Ducks have all deliberately tanked. The Devils are now a top team, the Sabres are poised to join them as soon as next season, and the Wings and Ducks look like they have promising futures.
Tanking doesn’t always work, but it’s a legitimate strategy.
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The problem with your argument is that the only one in that group with any kind of success, never actually purposely tanked.
The Devils didn't tank. In fact, they went out and acquired Hall in an attempt to be competitive just before drafting #1 overall. In 2019, they made another blockbuster trade to acquire PK Subban. In 2021 they signed the top UFA defenceman, Dougie Hamilton.
I definitely wouldn't call the Ducks a total tank either. They sold off players, but also retained lots of their talent.
Buffalo could be good in the future, I guess? I can't see how anyone would want to emulate Buffalo's path. They haven't qualified for the playoffs since the 2010/11 season and have had to go through multiple rebuilds, with star players demanding out as they could not take the tank anymore.
There's no doubt that a tank can work. Is it the only strategy now? No.