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Calgary4LIfe · 02-18-2024, 09:18 PM

Edmonton, Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Ottawa. One of those teams is not like the others.

Pittsburgh brought in Mario Lemieux himself to help Crosby become a leader, plus Odelein, Gary Roberts, Guerin, Recchi, Leclair, Sydor - in those first 3 seasons, Crosby had a tonne of really solid veteran support. Who did McDavid have? Hall? What about Fantilli? Gudbranson, Gaudreau and Jenner? What about Brady Tkachuk - Giroux and...Hamonic?

There's part of the problem right there. That's exactly why Ottawa has specifically targeted Tanev.

Also, I would say that Ottawa is changing. They have a new owner, and they mandate is to be 'best in class'. They have been going out and hiring more highly regarded personnel in the hockey ops, and the owner is spending a tonne of money right now trying to right their ship. If I was to bank on one young team from the bottom of the standings right now, it would be Ottawa. I think Columbus is more talented, but Ottawa is going to be the better team because they are becoming better managed.

In a perfect world, Calgary keeps Tanev and Markstrom to be solid leaders, but the returns are just too good. Edmonton had 6 games of Ference (36) - who was a pretty good leader - in McDavid's first season. They also traded for Matt Hendricks (34), who IIRC, refused to sign in Edmonton, but they then went and traded for. Oh, 9 games of Adam Pardy (31), 8 games of Adam Cracknell (30). 82 games of Mark Letestu. Those were the leaders brought in to help McDavid. Laughable when you compare that to Pittsburgh.

As for the "Flames can't rebuild while Huberdeau and Kadri are here" stuff - Chicago had 9 guys 30 and above the first year of Toews' career in Chicago. They sold a couple of them (Lapointe and Johanssson), but also traded for Craig Adams. The year they won their first cup, they had 7 guys 30 and over, bringing in 36 year old John Madden specifically for his leadership.

It isn't just any old guy. You can't go out and trade for players like Shane O'Brien and David Jones. You have to bring in solid vets. I think it makes perfect sense for a team like Ottawa who has identified a lack of leadership and poor culture organizationally as problems, and have been trying to hire (and acquire) good people to help turn things around. A guy like Tanev should be at the top of their list, but if they don't trade for him, they won't get him as I believe whichever organization ends up trading for him will be extending him before the season is out.

I like Calgary's mix going forward - Backlund and Coleman seem like fantastic vets that can help lead the way, plus Huberdeau - especially after everything he has gone through and turning his game around - plus Andersson who seems like a really good young leader already (27, not exactly young, but not an old vet either), and Weegar (29). Kadri I am still on the fence about, as him just seemingly quitting on the team last year was kind of spectacular for all the wrong reasons, but he seems to be really good with Zary and Pospisil.

I think some teams have an easier time attracting good vets, or they have to drastically overpay for them. Even Chicago went out and overpaid for vets to try and get them to stay. Calgary taking it right down to the studs would be too difficult to come back from, IMO. Keeping some of the existing vets that want to be here is a good choice, as is getting the alumni more involved with the organization. Conroy as the GM, bringing Iginla into the fold - these moves will help as well. I am genuinely excited about the direction that Conroy has this team pointed in right now - a rebuild without it being right down to the studs.

Another team that I am keeping my eye on during the upcoming off-season is Columbus. That team has way too much talent to suck this bad. Then I look at their leadership group - Gudbranson is the oldest at 31. Solid leader, but they had to overpay to get him. Gaudreau is actually the next oldest on the list, and he doesn't really give out 'leadership vibes' to anyone, and his Babcock comments made you realize he isn't one of those leaders. Never heard of Danforth who is also 30. Then you have Jenner - solid leader from what everyone says (though, again, seemed like a mouthpiece to protect Babcock rather than protect the players). The leadership group is Jenner C, Gudbranson, Kuraly and Werenski with the As. Seems to be a team lacking leadership to me, but a team full of young talent who should be better. Sounds a lot like Ottawa, but even worse in that category.

02-18-2024, 09:18 PM	#22606
Calgary4LIfe Franchise Player Join Date: Jun 2010 Exp:	Edmonton, Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Ottawa. One of those teams is not like the others. Pittsburgh brought in Mario Lemieux himself to help Crosby become a leader, plus Odelein, Gary Roberts, Guerin, Recchi, Leclair, Sydor - in those first 3 seasons, Crosby had a tonne of really solid veteran support. Who did McDavid have? Hall? What about Fantilli? Gudbranson, Gaudreau and Jenner? What about Brady Tkachuk - Giroux and...Hamonic? There's part of the problem right there. That's exactly why Ottawa has specifically targeted Tanev. Also, I would say that Ottawa is changing. They have a new owner, and they mandate is to be 'best in class'. They have been going out and hiring more highly regarded personnel in the hockey ops, and the owner is spending a tonne of money right now trying to right their ship. If I was to bank on one young team from the bottom of the standings right now, it would be Ottawa. I think Columbus is more talented, but Ottawa is going to be the better team because they are becoming better managed. In a perfect world, Calgary keeps Tanev and Markstrom to be solid leaders, but the returns are just too good. Edmonton had 6 games of Ference (36) - who was a pretty good leader - in McDavid's first season. They also traded for Matt Hendricks (34), who IIRC, refused to sign in Edmonton, but they then went and traded for. Oh, 9 games of Adam Pardy (31), 8 games of Adam Cracknell (30). 82 games of Mark Letestu. Those were the leaders brought in to help McDavid. Laughable when you compare that to Pittsburgh. As for the "Flames can't rebuild while Huberdeau and Kadri are here" stuff - Chicago had 9 guys 30 and above the first year of Toews' career in Chicago. They sold a couple of them (Lapointe and Johanssson), but also traded for Craig Adams. The year they won their first cup, they had 7 guys 30 and over, bringing in 36 year old John Madden specifically for his leadership. It isn't just any old guy. You can't go out and trade for players like Shane O'Brien and David Jones. You have to bring in solid vets. I think it makes perfect sense for a team like Ottawa who has identified a lack of leadership and poor culture organizationally as problems, and have been trying to hire (and acquire) good people to help turn things around. A guy like Tanev should be at the top of their list, but if they don't trade for him, they won't get him as I believe whichever organization ends up trading for him will be extending him before the season is out. I like Calgary's mix going forward - Backlund and Coleman seem like fantastic vets that can help lead the way, plus Huberdeau - especially after everything he has gone through and turning his game around - plus Andersson who seems like a really good young leader already (27, not exactly young, but not an old vet either), and Weegar (29). Kadri I am still on the fence about, as him just seemingly quitting on the team last year was kind of spectacular for all the wrong reasons, but he seems to be really good with Zary and Pospisil. I think some teams have an easier time attracting good vets, or they have to drastically overpay for them. Even Chicago went out and overpaid for vets to try and get them to stay. Calgary taking it right down to the studs would be too difficult to come back from, IMO. Keeping some of the existing vets that want to be here is a good choice, as is getting the alumni more involved with the organization. Conroy as the GM, bringing Iginla into the fold - these moves will help as well. I am genuinely excited about the direction that Conroy has this team pointed in right now - a rebuild without it being right down to the studs. Another team that I am keeping my eye on during the upcoming off-season is Columbus. That team has way too much talent to suck this bad. Then I look at their leadership group - Gudbranson is the oldest at 31. Solid leader, but they had to overpay to get him. Gaudreau is actually the next oldest on the list, and he doesn't really give out 'leadership vibes' to anyone, and his Babcock comments made you realize he isn't one of those leaders. Never heard of Danforth who is also 30. Then you have Jenner - solid leader from what everyone says (though, again, seemed like a mouthpiece to protect Babcock rather than protect the players). The leadership group is Jenner C, Gudbranson, Kuraly and Werenski with the As. Seems to be a team lacking leadership to me, but a team full of young talent who should be better. Sounds a lot like Ottawa, but even worse in that category.