Quote:
Originally Posted by Strange Brew
Build a culture of excellence and attract the players that care about that. Pinder made a nice point how after the 2004 run there was some buzz around the Flames and they attracted some players on reasonable deals..
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35 year old Tony Amonte?
33 year old Darren McCarty?
31 year old Roman Hamrlik?
That had everything to do with player movement post new world cap era, nothing to do with buzz.
I like the sentiment from Pinder but it's a little disjointed from reality. You've listed four teams from two professional leagues, and from the two there is only one Canadian team between them both. Even in the NHL the New York Rangers and LA Kings can't afford a team of mercenaries, the cap and the way hockey works prevents this.. the Flames can build a winner, it's just more difficult than Boston, Toronto, Detroit etc etc.
Boston Mass native Noah Hanifin isn't going to give the Calgary Alberta Canada Flames much of a discount, he might with his home team or a city nearby. That's not an excuse, that's reality. It doesn't excuse losing however, but we shouldn't pretend it's a non issue.