There is also a balance of not letting things go too far off the rails, like it or not.
That doesn't come necessarily with bad results for a year or two for a semi rebuilding team, but it goes with the way that semi rebuild occurs, as it relates to communication to the players that will be here through that, and for the UFAs and other available players and convincing the types of players (and agents) you need to come to Calgary the next couple of years.
Treliving's predecessor RUINED the reputation the Flames had with agents and other GM's. Sutter as GM hs the Flames positioned in that regard as no nonsense, fair, and the players were stood behind by the organization when they came here. When the "say whatever it takes" windbag undermined him and then got the full time gig, that went away quickly. No one liked or trusted anything said around the league. The O'Reilly saga was really the perfect if the incompetentance, and then his rushed reutnr (and the organization stepped in to assist because they did trust him) for the returns for Iginla and Bouemeester were a joke. The joke that the Flames has become things to that idiot, forced Edwards to first try and get Shanahan, and when his wife turned the offer, further forced Edwards to basically write a blank offer to Burke to fill in, to bring back the reputation of the Flames within the circle of GMs and agents.
Now, of course I don't see that happening here with the GM, but point is the Flames have to manage this change the right way to be able to continue to attract the types of players the need as part of the semi rebuild. Also they'll have players they signed like Kadri, Weeger, and Huberdeau, who will have to go through this, who have agents that you'll need to keep happy (as those agents have other clients if theirs). They'll have currentl players they will want to extend, going through this.
What will help immensely as a light at the end of the tunnel is a new rink and new facilities.
Regardless, the Flames have to properly handle this mini rebuild on the ice with letting younher players develop on their own but also with the right mentorship of other players in those positions or in leadership roles. It's why the Oilers besides McDavid , fsiled. They expect Yakupov, Hall and other top picks to just make the leap to the NHL and do it alone. Even Drisital would be somewhere else now if McDavid didn't come along a couple years after. The young players have to be supported by the organization as well off the ice, and, the organization has to still be able to bring players in to help that development process.
And that development process doesn't mean automatically "learn to lose so you learn to win" either...properly executed and with some luck, the down/development times aren't as down or take along as expected...so that's the goal with a mini rebuild. Have the right mix of like minded veterans that can still win games and help younger players develop quicker than a set of uninterested vets looking to collect a pay check.
It's a fine balance, but it starts with a strong organization with a plan, and can communicate that plan to the current players, potential players (and agents) and do their best to play well and develop the team over a couple years into a contender. Flames didn't have that stability internally with the last mini rebuild in the mid 2010s and it cost them extra years, they have to nail this one so by the time they are in the new building, all is trending up.
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