The Drive for 30th

[Tinordi]

So disappointing that we couldn't get a high pick with nothing on the line.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Tinordi

So disappointing that we couldn't get a high pick with nothing on the line.

Well at least it's not a disaster yet, but if we miss out on Lindholm/Monahan it really sucks. Unfortunately, things are trending that way.

[Tinordi]

Nobody's to blame in this but it's a total debacle. No reason to be winning games at this point, in a shortened season of all seasons.

[nik-]

Yeah, there's really nothing you can do but facepalm. The guys are going to try to win and these other teams are embarrassingly bad. But man, when next year is just as painful as this, it's going to hurt extra when we remember we pushed ourselves out of the high picks in the short year.

[MoneyGuy]

Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler

I am actually a very happy person.

This is true.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

The over dramatics in this thread are ridiculous. I agree it be nice to ensure a top 4 pick, hopefully we get it. But if we don't, the team just needs to draft well with our three picks and keep trying to do the right thing. If the organization does the right thing puts the right people in place it will get the results eventually, top 4 pick or not.

The effort and decent results this team has seen post deadline should be seen as a positive. Maybe some of our current prospects aren't so bad, and maybe the awful culture around here truly was a bi-product of letting this team drift past its expiry date, and a change in direction might not be as difficult as initially thought.

[CaptainCrunch]

I'm proud that the players are fighting to the end. I wouldn't cheer for this team anymore if they mailed it in and dove for the first overall pick, it shows a lack of integrity and its one of the deadly sins that would make me re-evaluate if I wanted to be part of the fanbase of that team.

[saillias]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

I'm proud that the players are fighting to the end. I wouldn't cheer for this team anymore if they mailed it in and dove for the first overall pick, it shows a lack of integrity and its one of the deadly sins that would make me re-evaluate if I wanted to be part of the fanbase of that team.

Sad fact is, one of these loser teams will most likely be a cup winner very soon - Carolina, Tampa, Colorado, Nashville, Florida. Boy you must be glad you weren't born in Pittsburgh. Imagine refusing to be a fan of the hometown team that's a perennial contender because they tanked a couple times.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by saillias

Sad fact is, one of these loser teams will most likely be a cup winner very soon - Carolina, Tampa, Colorado, Nashville, Florida. Boy you must be glad you weren't born in Pittsburgh. Imagine refusing to be a fan of the hometown team that's a perennial contender because they tanked a couple times.

For every Pittsburg and Chicago, there's a Boston and Detroit. There's also a Columbus and Florida. The point........ Lots of ways to succeed in this league, and no fool proof recipe either.

[albertGQ]

We'll probably pick 7, 23, and 30. No guarantee of a superstar so I hope Feester and the scouting staff do their homework.

[VladtheImpaler]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

For every Pittsburg and Chicago, there's a Boston and Detroit. There's also a Columbus and Florida. The point........ Lots of ways to succeed in this league, and no fool proof recipe either.

Given that our manager has never done anything competently, except draft 1st overall, I was kind of hoping we'd go the 1st overall route...

[Yoho]

I'm one of the biggest proponents for Flames getting the 30th pick, however at the last few games in the dome it's impossible to cheer against this team with young guys giving their best effort and beating teams with allot left on the line, ie doing to Phoenix what they have done to us the last 2-3 years and basically knock them out of the playoffs in a game they really needed, as well being their last night to watch Kipper go out with a win was amazing.

But next four games is the time to lose fellas plain and simple.

Either way, very, very memorable season for 48 games!

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by saillias

Sad fact is, one of these loser teams will most likely be a cup winner very soon - Carolina, Tampa, Colorado, Nashville, Florida. Boy you must be glad you weren't born in Pittsburgh. Imagine refusing to be a fan of the hometown team that's a perennial contender because they tanked a couple times.

What a load of garbage. You seriously think another team is going to be a cup contender quicker than us simply because they drafted a couple picks higher than us in one draft?

If that were even remotely close to being true, the Oilers would be a dynasty by now.

It is a team game and you have to build a winning team. Would it be helpful to get MacKinnon? Of course. But it will also be helpful to get Lindholm or Barkov or Monahan or Nichushkin.

And the top 3 are rated higher for obvious reasons, but by no means does that guarantee that they will be the best players in the draft. Is there a draft in history where the top 3 picks ended up being the best 3 players?

Regardless of who we end up with, they will likely become a key piece in the rebuild. But they will be nothing more than that - a piece.

[saillias]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

What a load of garbage. You seriously think another team is going to be a cup contender quicker than us simply because they drafted a couple picks higher than us in one draft?

No, because they do it often and or have several good pieces in place already. We would be sitting a lot prettier with Weber/Rinne locked up, wouldn't we? Or Ward/Staalx2/Semin/Skinner. I could go on.

Please don't bring Edmonton into this because they're Something Special Up There TM.

[troutman]

People should not point to Edmonton and say that strategy does not work. That is just one data point. And they have incompetent management. Others teams have been successful with this approach.

How do you get a core of elite players? Is this a once in a decade draft?

[dissentowner]

All I know is Florida will be picking 2nd at worst. They are brutal.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by saillias

No, because they do it often and or have several good pieces in place already. We would be sitting a lot prettier with Weber/Rinne locked up, wouldn't we? Or Ward/Staalx2/Semin/Skinner. I could go on.

Please don't bring Edmonton into this because they're Something Special Up There TM.

Nashville didn't tank to get those players.

Yes I agree that some of those teams have some good pieces already, but that is not what the conversation was. You were lamenting that those teams will be contenders before us because they have tanked better than we have.

And that simply isn't true.

Also, which - if any - of those teams "do it often?"

[ignite09]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

All I know is Florida will be picking 2nd at worst. They are brutal.

Yeah, I was hoping that franchise had finally turned the corner and could enjoy some success this year. However, after watching a few of their recent efforts this year, I hope they sit in the basement for at least another few years. No pride as a team.

[Hockey_Ninja]

Originally Posted by ignite09

Yeah, I was hoping that franchise had finally turned the corner and could enjoy some success this year. However, after watching a few of their recent efforts this year, I hope they sit in the basement for at least another few years. No pride as a team.

Guess last season was a fluke after all. Wonder if the Habs will crash and burn next year as well.

[expatflame]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

All I know is Florida will be picking 2nd at worst. They are brutal.

13 shots for Florida today..embarrassing.