Tanking and the Gretzky Factor

[ThisIsAnOutrage]

Originally Posted by BsFaninCGY

Only one team wins the cup. 29 other teams need something to do. It's called business. And they need to be profitable. Marketing around a McDavid sure goes easier than around a, oh I dunno, David Moss?

There's a business factor for sure. But tanking does not make a team more profitable, especially not multi-season tanking. Unless you can tank for Gretzky. IIR when he was traded to L.A., the average attendance went from around 11,000 to being sold out every game of the season.

(I concede there may be an exception for the Leafs here where tanking would make them more profitable. The Leaf fans are just... I don't know, Leafs fans.)

[Hackey]

No team is tanking with the thought that McDavid is going to be some Gretzky like savior. Teams just want the best player they can get. The player that will help them the most. People make way to big a deal out of "tanking." I just don't see any true evidence for it. There is always going to be bad teams in the league. Rebuilding teams will always trade short term assets for long term assets. And if people are so convinced that one player doesn't make a difference then why do you care so much? Let them have the player and continue to suck. Well managed teams will always win. Poor managed teams will always lose.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by AcGold

Mcdavid is amazing, but like Crosbys Penguins the Oilers have massive holes in their team. .

I think a big difference though is that at the time, the Pens weren't even trying to ice a good time until right after they drafted Crosby. Edmonton has been trying for several seasons. It's hard to imagine that getting McDavid or Eichel can make up for the terrible management.