Quote:
Originally Posted by Vinny01
I think all this talk about diligence and whatever narrative you have tried to spin here is pure nonsense. Your point about the Carolina deal probably being best for the team long term is likely true but that is only thanks to the benefit of hindsight.
Here is what we know:
1- Flames had a roster with the runners up for both the Selke and Vezina
2- a mid 20’s forward coming off 35 goals
3- mid 20’s top pair D who combined for 98pts
4- HOF coach here for unfinished business fresh off a Jack Adams win
5- deep defense and solid depth like Toffoli, Backlund, Coleman, Dube
6- the market up north that just eliminated the Flames were boasting they had beat the Flames into a rebuild
They had an offer from Florida that allowed them to add the 4th highest scoring forward over the previous 4 years and the same age and draft as the elite playmaker they just lost in Free agency coming off the exact same point total and record for assists in a season by a LW. Also they had an opportunity to upgrade their blueline and replace the 3rd pairing guy they lost with a top pair guy while also getting a prospect and 1at round pick. To try and push the team over the top the future pick was flipped to dump Monahan and add Kadri who was going to strengthen the center ice position coming off an amazing campaign and cup win. Kadri also was going to replace some of the pest that was lost with the Tkachuk trade.
End of the day any time a team loses one of their franchise players for nothing and the other is forcing a trade it makes sense to rebuild and if you believe Bean they debated it with the Hurricanes offer. When the dust settled on the summer of Brad it appeared he replaced Gaudreau with an equal or better player, improved the center ice position and blueline at the expense of a big loss on the wing which he somewhat insulated by acquiring Toffoli earlier that year. With how bad last season went it sure makes the rebuild path look like the one they should have took but the moves they made did make a lot of sense at the time. Markstrom, Huberdeau, Mangiapane having brutal seasons and the Flames lost 30 one goal games. Those 3 guys have better years the Flames are winning the Pacific again
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I actually agree with most of this. I think the team just came off a really strong season, and they were somewhat caught off guard, losing their two top players. Realistically, they should have seen this coming as a very realistic possibility. I do think there was a reluctance to rebuild one because of the season they just had, but also because of pride. It seems like Edwards was really pissed at Johnny and Tkachuk probably added to that only a few days later. There was probably anger and embarassment in the organization.
I think the Florida package was offered, and it probably surprised them a bit. I don't think they expected an offer that could potentially have them bounce back as competitive so quickly. But it's because of all of that, I think they blocked out other options and went full steam ahead with the Florida deal and then signing Kadri.
Which is why I don't think they really tried hard for other deals once the Florida package was offered. They liked the deal and that was that. That's why everything happened in 4 days which is very fast for any deal, let alone a 24-year-old 100 pts player. Even if St Louis offered up Kyrou I'm not so sure if they would have even taken it. Even if Necas and Jarvis was offered, I'm not sure if they take it. I think they wanted to get back to where they just were as quick as possible, and I think viewed Huberdeau and Weegar as being able to achieve that best.
So yes I can understand why they may have chose this path but I don't think its hindsight to second guess it either. They know they could have traded Tkachuk for a futures package. They could have traded Lindholm and Hanifin with 2 years left on sweet heart deals for good packages. They likely drop into the top 5-10 of a very deep draft last year. They have a good amount of UFAS this year to further deal. You draft high again this year. It definitely could have been an ideal time to rebuild. But oh well, will see how this all turns out.
