Quote:
Originally Posted by Goriders
They didn’t draft Tkachuk though. That’s the debate. I don’t disagree with what you said about high level talent. Just what’s the avenue to get them. Only through the draft? Only via free agency and trades? Or a mix.
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Tkachuk isn't a player that you can pick to prove a point for yourself here, however. How did Florida get him? Tkachuk simply decided he didn't want to remain in this market, and even though he didn't have an NTC, still forced the Flames to trade him by telling Treliving that he will not be extending in Calgary, and handing Treliving a 5 team list that he was willing to play in.
When was the last time Calgary was in a 5 team list of preferred destinations?
Calgary is not a market that is anywhere close to being on an equal footing as half the league. The only time that they can attract above average UFAs in their prime is when this team is competing (like when they attracted both Tanev and Markstrom). They massively outbid other teams for Richards and lost out. Stone apparently indicated that he wouldn't re-sign in Calgary if they traded for him, but he extended in Vegas right away.
I don't think it will happen, but I would love to see a cap on NTC/NMC in the next collective bargaining agreement. That will most certainly help a team like Calgary with so many players having those clauses with Calgary on it. Heck, even Kumenko had to be encouraged to waive it by promises of opportunity and playing time here. I bet right now he is regretting it, as he isn't getting either (and rightfully so as he hasn't been good). Kuzmenko could have just stuck to his guns, and Conroy might have been forced to take a worse offer from somewone else because Vancouver wouldn't be able to make the money work. That's the position that Calgary is in when it comes to trades now, not to mention having to overpay for UFAs or sign guys hungry to 'show me' deals trying to keep their careers alive.
It still won't fix young players telling Calgary that they will not extend here, but at least it will give Calgary more options on how to build a good team. For now, Calgary is extremely handcuffed in building a team other than through the draft. The can certainly make a series of trades and UFA signings and get back to being a bubble team, but that shouldn't be the goal. The goal is to build a good enough team that it can actually contend for a few years for as long as the core is here and young enough.
The goal is to open a window of contention, not 'squeak in and hope for the best', and Calgary is just way to handcuffed to build a good team any other way right now than through the draft. Once they do, and they become a good team, less players are likely to have Calgary on their NTC (though they will always have too many that do have them on the list). That's how I see it. Trying to build a team through the UFA market or through trades is, IMO, putting the cart in front of the horse at best.
I guess we will see what happens and what Conroy has cooking up, but I do expect this team to bottom-out and for the bulk of the core to be drafted in the next few years. Maybe Conroy does manage to make a series of moves and prove me an idiot - that would be great if he does. I just think it will be the more difficult path forward.