[Poe969]

Now that the Flames have been eliminated from the playoffs we need to start thinking about the future. If you were in charge, what would you do with this team. Even starting right now, would you bring up a bunch of guys who deserve it? I know people don't like to use the word "tank" but what do you do for the rest of the season?

For me, it's easy. The season is done, the wins amount to nothing at this point. Every year we hear the same thing "never try to lose games or you'll get used to it" and stuff like that. Well, this team seems to already be used to losing games, the fact that most years we're in this situation just shows that it doesn't matter. Accept it and embrace it. I know Sutter won't try to lose but maybe put Monahan on the IR, rest Markstrom a bit more and bring up all the kids you can, they deserve to play on this team more than the current roster. Johnny is actually playing great, let him keep it up and raise his trade value. Ultimately, just try to get the best possible draft pick.

At the draft make moves. Try your hardest to move Monahan, Gaudreau, Tkachcuk, Gio and anyone else you can. Target picks in next 2 drafts and take less to make them unprotected. Draft the best Center available. This team needs to build depth down the middle, wingers are always available. If you can get the top D or the top G in the draft around your pick, do that but otherwise draft some centers (unless there is a huge drop off from the top wingers).

In the expansion draft, expose both Gio and Backlund. If Seattle takes Backlund, so be it but if it's fine if he's there to mentor the new batch of kids. If they take Gio, so be it and if they don't, trade him next year.

As for trades, try to take prospects and picks along with bigger contracts. Essentially, build for the future. As fur UFA's, sign 1 year deals if possible. The sabres had the right idea with Hall but it didn't really work out. If they can sign a big UFA to an over priced 1 year deal, they should be able to collect even more assets at the deadline.

Now I now every choice is based on other people too. It's easy to say "trade Monahan" but another team has to want him. I'm sure there are teams who could use a guy like him, especially as a second line C with retained salary. And UFA's have to want to sign with the Flames, nevermind sign 1 year deals. I just think they need to embrace the rebuild. People have said that they didn't bring Sutter here for a rebuild but the more I think about it, the more I like the idea of having him for a rebuild. If he could instill hard work ethic in a bunch of younger players that will be the future team, the team will be better because of it.

IMO this team just isn't good enough. Sutter has them playing well in his time here but so did every other coach, until they didn't. This team isn't going to get better with age and they're more than 1 or 2 pieces away from being a contender. It seems like every year this team trys to just add a bit here or there. The fact that they're doing that most years is telling because they always end up in the same situation, just trying to add 1 or 2 pieces to sneak in to the playoffs. Stop doing the same thing year in and year out, be honest with the team and the fans. This team isn't good enough and needs to change. Don't try to do things too fast, do them properly for once.