Quote:
Originally Posted by Jason14h
That is not a foundation. Not even close
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It's a foundation, but I think we've already seen what that foundation yields. The players identified in the post are all solid, professional players, and would nicely complement a team where there were 3 first line/first pairing players who were well above league average. The Flames have managed to accumulate a nice grouping of average to above average complimentary pieces, but now they have to find a way to accomplish the more difficult part of the winning equation, which is to acquire the top line talent. Unfortunately, this whole scenario is complicated by the fact that many of the players identified as being foundational are 30+ and will likely have begun the process of regression in a year or two making any commitment to building around this group an exercise in futility.
Conroy has done a lot of good work to this point, and IMO the players on the team have displayed a professionalism and commitment which is deserving of the respect of us as fans. All this having been said, if the Flames primary motivation over the summer is to make moves to bolster the team for next year at the cost of assets that may bloom in 3-4 years, they will find themselves in a similar staits for another decade.
This offseason, and the next two years will define the next decade for this franchise. If they start moving picks to acquire young third/fourth liners who they hope will bloom into value added 1st of 2nd liners, we should expect to be supporting a team much like this season's team a decade from now. If they guard their picks and trust in their scouts and Conroy's judgment on talent, this could be a special squad in 4-5 years. That doesn't mean the team wouldn't push for the playoffs, it would simply mean that the foundation identified, and young players rising through ranks would need to continue to deliver the level of effort and commitment that they showed this season.
I would say it will be interesting to see what the team will do, but I just don't see the Flames fully committing to a future oriented plan and I fear that we are destined to pursue a course that will yield a full compliment of good players without the exceptional components that do the necessary lifting to lead those players to a cup.
The Flames do have a foundation, unfortunately, they lack the materials which are needed to complete the construction of the building.