Quote:
Originally Posted by dissentowner
There is nothing looking at Dallas's roster to make one think they will retool in 2027.
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Hintz -> 28
Duchene -> 34
Johnston -> 22
Faksa -> 31
Robertson -> 25
Benn -> 35
Beck -> 25
Steel -> 27
Rantanen -> 28
Seguin -> 33
Bourque -> 23
Blackwell -> 32
Lindell -> 31
Heiskanen -> 25
Harley -> 23
Lybushkin -> 32
Bischel -> 21
Lundqvist -> 24
Petrovic -> 33
Oettinger -> 26
DeSmith -> 33
Their core (2 centres, 2 wingers, 2 defenceman, 1 goalie) has an average age of 25.29 years old.
Dallas has done as good of a job as possible without being able to draft what I'd say is one of those key elite #1 centres, and their core is as age-perfect as possible to compete for the next half decade.
Can Johnston and Hintz do it down the middle? That's their biggest question. I'm with you, there's no re-tool on the horizon for them.
None of which is to say I'm against snagging assets years out. I think pulling future picks is a great strategy, and a good way to keep your prospect pool constantly healthy. Yeah, the league is volatile and there's a small chance they have a down year, as you're also watching the ebb and flow of other teams improving - but aside from the potential upside of the volatile league, it's just good to capture big assets whenever possible. A 2027 1st Round Pick would give the Flames four (!) straight years of drafting multiple times in the first round - and if the team is not going to get the drafting opportunties typically required to build a winner (top picks), then having more high end ammo (1st round picks) is the next best thing.