[Matty81]

I think it's a well written article and I have a hard time disagreeing with him.

The Oilers completely fluked into their current team after years of ineptitude... the McDavid lottery was just pure horseshoes and I personally hate the draft system and the way it rewards failure. They flubbed a lot of high picks prior to that McDavid pick and basically were kept on life support through what's essentially coporate welfare payments via the draft.

People also always love pointing out how some random great player was drafted late, some early draft picks sucked and repeating that a losing culture stunts player development.

But the reality is, the higher picks more often than not provide better, more valuable players - or create more valuable trade chips that can be used to acquire core pieces. And that young core franchise players to build around typically can't be acquired any other way. Many of the best teams in recent league history were built around franchise talents drafted high.

Some teams don't use their picks well but that doesn't change the fact that a true rebuild is the fastest way to add foundational assets to your team.

I always wonder with the Flames if the ownership are just very afraid deep down that attendance will crater if they are bad for a few years and think their bottom line is just better off with at least being remotely in the playoff race every year rather than going through those lean years where they have to endure a lot of empty seats.