History of Flames Transition (Rebuild/Retool) Periods
Long time (obsessive) lurker - loved the membership drive during the trade rumour gif frenzy and it inspired me to dig up my account and actually post.
Having watched countless versions of this franchise be more or less the same bubble team I am very excited for change. An injection of youth and the excitement/mystery that multiple draft picks bring will be a fun change of pace (hopefully with light at the end of the tunnel). I am also a big fan of history - although there have been more than enough dark days in the past I thought it would be cool to share some memories of pervious transition periods the Flames have gone through, especially back in the day before the internet and CPuck.
Nieuwendyk > Theo > Iggy > Gio > Johnny/Tkachuk > ?
Some of the things I have always wondered about:
*What was it like when Nieuwendyk rumours started? Did fans want picks/prospects or an established star before getting Iginla?
*I recall writing on the wall that Theo would leave - were his personal issues well known or rumoured? What were some of the returns people hoped for before the Colorado Regehr trade?
*was the Young Gunz era doom and gloom from the start with Canadian markets struggling? The Save the Flames campaign and half of the 300 level closing suggests no. Was the term rebuild even a concept?
*Who have been some of your favourite prospects or free agent signings you thought would be stars that ended up busts? What trades really set the Flames back (or ahead) aside from the obvious MSL buyout and Savard trade?
Hoping others will share what they have always wondered about. I am sure this could have been an offseason thread but why wait!
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