In the end I think the Flames have been pretty consistent in that they arent willing to go as deep as Chicago, San Jose, etc went in their teardown to guarantee a top 5 pick.
They took at shot at being bad this year IMO (No proven goalies, 2 proven d-men, suspect forward group, lowest salary cap in the league) and somehow landed in the 16th OV pick.
So now you have to make a decision...do you tear it down even further to try and be even worse which maybe still doesn't guarantee a top 5 pick.
Or do you try to build more gradually just by continually adding talent via the draft, FA, and trades, but never really bottoming out.
Personally I think as long as the asset management remains strong (move out the aging players for picks / prospects, dont sign retirement contracts for 29+ players, focus on trying to bring in elite talent) then it's fine.
There is more than one way to win as long as management is patient and makes long term decisions without selling out for the short term.
Going after somebody like Marner is fine IMO...just don't go overspend on the Boeser and Bennett's of the world.
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