Quote:
Originally Posted by ComixZone
The Flames hope they're two years away from contending. In reality, those next two years have to be MASSIVE from a drafting and player acquiring perspective for that to come to fruition.
They need to draft two top tier forwards between now and then, and one more top tier defenceman (maybe Mews is that).
Free agency is pretty much a barren wasteland at this point, not that Calgary was a priority destination anyways.
The tier of player we'd be after also rarely gets dealt.
Finishing at or near the bottom this year is critical to hitting that "we're contending in the new building". If they don't bottom out this year, I just don't see the path forward to contending in 2 years time. That's not a long runway, and this team doesn't have what they need in the system yet. They're not in a bad position, but to say "they're 2 years away from contending"...you only contend based on the players you have in the fold, and we're not there yet. While we're doing a good job, we don't have a system that is going to launch us into that Florida/Colorado/Tampa Bay etc. tier.
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I agree with most of this. I see zero chance this team is contending by the new building but if they can open that season with realistic hope for a playoff spot with the best years coming shortly after that.
The Habs have had an incredible rebuild so far. They had some pieces in place before it started with Cauflied and Suzuki. Their top young player was a 2nd rounder but they have several other very intriguing pieces. They made the playoffs and made their first big acquisition of Dobson this summer.
Calgary has some pieces already in Wolf and Coronato. They have do get another high end forward in the draft but I am pretty high on their group depth wise and potential wise but they sure need a McKenna or top C prospect with first line upside.
This year they lean into the bad year and move out some veterans. Maybe next summer they are strategic and add an RFA or they wait another year? I think they want to be able to sell hope in Scotia Place with contention in the first 5-10 years.