Tear it down? Can this fanbase get behind a rebuild?

[moncton golden flames]

I would fully support a rebuild but I don't believe the ownership group will hire the right people to make it successful.

[Hackey]

Originally Posted by Kipper_3434

This team is not in a position for a rebuild. Markstrom alone keeps us out of the bottom 5 . Not to mention Sutter hiring, best forwards are entering their prime. Ya defence is a mess, but rebuild doesn't make sense now given the team situation. You may support a rebuild but the idea is objectively absurd rn . Should we focus on acquiring young players and prospects? Yes every team should. But that is not a rebuild and the idea of trading away prime age players for futures is absurd until its clear said players can't be resigned. The question should be would this fan base support a core player trade. Which is an obvious yes dependant on return . A rebuild may be upon us in 2 years, why rush into it ? Let's see if we can win first.

Entering their prime in terms of age is irrelevant when their on ice performance is regressing. Then you consider the contract situations. Rebuild is a very real consideration.

[carmenshoes]

Why can't we rebuild Oiler did and got McDrai. So why can't we?

[Inglewood Jack]

Originally Posted by carmenshoes

Why can't we rebuild Oiler did and got McDrai. So why can't we?

[Vinny01]

Not really sure which thread to put this in but Francis had an article on SN today with the biggest takeaways:

Tkachuk rumors are laughable (chuckling at the fact SOB is considered a “source”)
No comments on Gio or Johnny but changes need to be made to the team and these conversations are private

Also Treliving confirmed that Conroy, Pascal, Snow have all been re-signed.

[dammage79]

Pascal is a little surprising. Figured he and Cassie would be uprooting to the u.s

[Since1984]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Pascal is a little surprising. Figured he and Cassie would be uprooting to the u.s

Wishful thinking.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by mikephoen

According to Forbes, Edwards' net worth increased by $300 million between March 2020 and March 2021. So even with an entire season of literally no gate revenue his personal net worth increased by $300M. Pretty sure he could survive a few years of less than sellout crowds.

You know perfectly well that's not because the Flames' value went up by $300 million.

The only way that has any relevance is if Edwards chooses to sell off stock in his other businesses so he can pour cash into the Flames. What kind of idiot thinks he has an obligation to do that, or is likely to?

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by 1qqaaz

In 2041, Alberta's population will be around 7 million (compared to around 4.5 million now). By 2043, the combined population of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta would be slightly larger than Quebec's population

If fossil fuels are outlawed by then, as some people want them to be, Alberta's population will be falling towards that of Saskatchewan. Don't kid yourself with projections.

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by Since1984

Wishful thinking.

She was hired by a US network…

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

You know perfectly well that's not because the Flames' value went up by $300 million.

The only way that has any relevance is if Edwards chooses to sell off stock in his other businesses so he can pour cash into the Flames. What kind of idiot thinks he has an obligation to do that, or is likely to?

I thought pro sports teams were expensive toys for billionaires, not viable and profitable businesses. Is it unreasonable to expect a Murray Edwards to be out of pocket every year the same proportion of his income as a season ticket holder who earns 100k is out of pocket?

[Erick Estrada]

I'm not sure the fanbase is behind the current team as they are today. The Flames are the Minnesota Wild of Canadian teams. Least sexy roster in the country. No franchise players and very little hope of winning a Stanley Cup. IMO post-pandemic could be ugly for this franchise as apathy started to settle in prior to the pandemic as there were lots of empty seats at the dome. There's very little buzz in this city regarding the Flames and you barely see anyone wearing Flames colors or water cooler talk.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

If fossil fuels are outlawed by then, as some people want them to be, Alberta's population will be falling towards that of Saskatchewan. Don't kid yourself with projections.

Ha ha wrong.

https://www.vicnews.com/news/b-c-pop...ehind-alberta/

“In all scenarios, the rate of population growth in Alberta would be the highest among Canadian provinces over the next 25 years,” reads an accompanying analysis from Statistics Canada. “By 2043, Alberta’s population would number between [six] million and 7.3 million inhabitants depending on the scenario, compared with 4.3 million in 2018.”

[Geeoff]

I would like to see better asset management. For example, get picks for expiring contacts, instead of spending picks to get a #8 defenseman at the deadline

[Drunk Uncle]

I think a tear down re-build is premature and, while I could handle it, as long as Gaudreau and Tkachuk are willing to sign in Calgary, I hope they take as many shots as they can until Gaudreau is nearing the end of his prime.

We'll never be a perennial top 5 team in the league with this group but I do think there is enough there to make a couple runs.

To that end use any amount of prospect (not NHL) and draft capital they have to surround this core with the best talent they can. If you augment the core via trade you have to get the best player back in the deal.

If we are stuck in 5 years tear it right down to the ground. It'll be easier to secure top picks in the draft because the cupboards will be bare (because you used all your picks and prospect capital to take shots). There won't be any ground swell of middling young players and prospects that will fool you into thinking you are competitive and keep you from picking at the tippy top of those drafts.

To me this is the best path to keep us out of the mediocrity year after year.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Geeoff

I would like to see better asset management. For example, get picks for expiring contacts, instead of spending picks to get a #8 defenseman at the deadline

Agreed. They simply have to be more honest with themselves about where they are and start making smarter decisions with players on expiring deals and being more proactive with players near the end of contracts that won't commit long term. Fans are far too educated now and know when a team isn't going about things the right way.

[Matata]

As fun as it's been watching the flames meander from a little above to a little below average over the last 15, I'd much rather see a full rebuild. I'd have get more enjoyment from watching a struggling team learn and grow and maybe even acquire a few elite pieces, but I'm not a season ticket holder.

I can understand the owners hesitation, this city was cold on hockey and it took a cup run to get the city hot again. Gambling on a rebuild and still ending up with a dud team would be financially disastrous.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Not dedicated thread worthy and can't find a good spot to note it - but for those with Athletic subscriptions, there is a really good and detailed article on Pelletier that is worth checking out.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Ha ha wrong.

https://www.vicnews.com/news/b-c-pop...ehind-alberta/

Updated:

Alberta projects population will reach about 6.4 million by 2046

https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/alberta-...2046-1.5495574

Alberta continues to lose residents to other parts of Canada

https://www.atb.com/company/insights...-quarter-2021/

For the fourth quarter in a row, more people left Alberta for other parts of Canada than arrived from elsewhere in the country.

According to the latest population data from Statistics Canada, Alberta lost 3,384 people to other provinces and territories over the first three months of 2021. The net loss since the second quarter of 2020 comes to 7,633.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

I thought pro sports teams were expensive toys for billionaires, not viable and profitable businesses.

It's cute when you try to think.

Originally Posted by Matata

As fun as it's been watching the flames meander from a little above to a little below average over the last 15, I'd much rather see a full rebuild.

They did a rebuild. It didn't work out. Most rebuilds don't. You were watching it happen, but evidently didn't notice.