Quote:
Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe
Flames are legitimately very good at building a supporting cast. They just have a hard time finding (and keeping!) stars. The main thing for the Flames to do is not come out of this rebuild as a team full of really good supporting pieces without the top-end talent. That is what they are now.
I think things will turn out well. I am very optimistic that the Flames will end up drafting a good core to build around over the next few drafts.
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The luck on this team is actually something to behold.
Our last rebuild should have yielded a perennial 100+ point contender, even with some of the boneheaded moves they made, but for some of the worst luck imaginable.
Gaudreau turns into a absolute star, but he's American and even though he wants to stay he ends up with an American girl, and COVID makes being in Canada an absolute ordeal for them especially being family oriented like he is. He wants to stay bad enough that he literally takes until the last possible second to come to a decision and that results in him walking away for no return despite getting everything he asked for from the Flames.
Monahan turns into a very solid #1C, and of all the core guys was probably the most likely to stay in CGY for his whole career. But of course, injuries tear him down enough that not only does he lose his effectiveness on the ice right when the Flames should be hitting the height of their contention, he's actually bad enough that they have to give up a 1st round pick to move his contract. Of course, once on his new team he rebounds so well that he actually nets the team that acquired him another 1st round pick.
Bennett, the highest pick we've ever had and touted to be an elite two way center with grit, he never reaches those heights but actually becomes a very good two way #2C with grit.....but only after the Flames give up on him and send him to a team that now reaps his benefits during long playoff runs. If he develops a little quicker he's still a Flame IMO
Tkachuk, like Gaudreau, an elite winger who is family oriented and American. COVID makes him miserable here too so even if they had a shot at keeping him long term prior to that they certainly didn't afterwards, and especially not with Gaudreau flying the coop.
Fox, Flames are shrewd enough to snag an elite offensive Dman in the 3rd round but are forced to trade him because he's yet another American who would rather not be in small market Western Canada. We get to watch him win a Norris on his ELC for the Rangers who are now an elite team because why shouldn't he be amply rewarded for his treachery right?
If Monahan stays healthy, Bennett develops a little quicker, Fox isn't a POS and COVID doesn't happen, we are probably watching Flames playoff hockey right now with all the above players still here.