Quote:
Originally Posted by SuperMatt18
There needs to be a balance between "Playoffs at all cost" and "Tank to lose on purpose" though.
I think following either path can be just as dangerous.
If you tank to lose on purpose you may cut too deep to the core of the team and not have the base to add the young assets to when actually trying to build the team back up and get stuck in a perpetual re-build.
If you go to "playoffs at all cost" you're probably making short term decisions, and not properly managing your assets or acquiring the top end talent you need to succeed.
Either path is likely to fail IMO.
The right path IMO is still "What do I need to do to build a top 10 team" and I think for the Flames right now that doesn't necessarily mean "I need to tear it down to studs and do a 5-8 year re-build" but I do think it means that you can't let the short term shiny jewel of the playoffs blind you from long term success.
Letting Tanev and Lindholm walk for nothing does not help this team become a top 10 team. I'd argue giving them long term deals or raises wouldn't help either. The assets you can acquire probably do help you though.
Hanifin is a tougher subject because I do think trading him can help towards being a top 10 team, and I think re-signing him could help towards being a top 10 team. It really all comes down to the equation of "What does he cost to re-sign" vs "What trade offers are on the table for him".
So really what the Flames can't do is make the short term decision of "we need to keep these guys to make the playoffs this year" because IMO that would be in direct conflict of building a team that is a sustainable top 10 team over the long term.
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Depending on the year, the lottery changes your chances up or down also. Buffalo intentionally tanked for McDavid, lost the lottery and got Eichel, who's a fine player but not anywhere near McDavid (plus had the big injury). OTOH the Avs don't bottom nealry so badly, pick 4th and get Makar. Or it's 2014 and the top 10 picks generally are underwhelming. Dylan Larkin at 15 is as good as Sam Reinhart at 2.