I'm a big believer that rebuilding teams still need solid veterans leading the way. A lot of rebuilding teams sell off their vets in the early stages, but once the new core is in place, they dip into the free agent market to add the vets. I really think that is a key piece to a successful rebuild and teams that get stuck in perpetual rebuilds is because they have trouble luring the veterans back.
It's difficult for small market Canadian teams that aren't as attractive to good free agents. That's why I think if someone like Andersson is willing to stick it through, you might be better off keeping him. Because when it comes time to add someone like him, good luck with that. It also helps if you have a "generational" prospect in your stable because free agents with sign on in those situations regardless, but I wouldn't bank on the Flames getting someone like McKenna or Dupont.
It obviously depends on how confident you are that Andersson can be a key player in a few years and if you want to take that risk with him specifically.
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"A pessimist thinks things can't get any worse. An optimist knows they can."
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