Worst team in the league - Are we "OK" with it?

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Bunk

The rebuild should have begun the second it was clear Gaudreau was not signing an extension the moment he was eligible.

Imagine the draft capital that could have been acquired from various players of value. Now, forced into a rebuild having squandered that asset potential it rate limits the number of high end players really can be accumulated. So I worry we bottom out, and are only really able to bounce back up to the middle of the pack rather than true contention.

But all that requires an owner committed to that type of process with fans.

That’s a huge use of hindsight and while it ended poorly the 2022 season was an incredible ride where we saw a truly elite team that season with 2 top 10 scorers.

Now if you want to make the claim that they should have rebuilt the moment Tkachuk requested a trade then I think that argument has merit and some people made that demand back then. Instead of starting over Treliving makes a deal that worked out to be Monahan+Tkachuk+16th pick 25 draft for Huberdeau+Weegar+Kadri+32nd pick in 2025 draft all 3 players brought in signed max term deals.

Ultimately terrible decision caused by poor management and lucky he is in Toronto where he has already lost another top 10 league wide scorer.

Had the Flames flipped Tkachuk for futures and turned around and cashed in on the final 2 years of Lindholm/Hanifin/Tanev and traded those guys at reduced cap hits they could have turned it around very quickly.

End of the day that is not what happened and we have the team on a rebuild path right now. Who knows if McKenna lands here we will all be happy things worked out the way they did?

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Who knows if McKenna lands here we will all be happy things worked out the way they did?

Now, now, you already know the answer.

Being a Flames fan means never having to say you're happy.

[fotze2]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

Now, now, you already know the answer.

Being a Flames fan means never having to say you're happy.

But holy fata we have a lot of character because of it.

[kehatch]

More media coming out and talking about the Flames reluctance to committ to a rebuild. Freidman saying the Flames are reluctant wanting to be competitive when the new building opens. Saying players approached him prior to last season asking of they were rebuidling and Conroy said no, he would reassess after the season.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by fotze2

But holy fata we have a lot of character because of it.

I imagine being a Blue Jackets or Sabres fan is worse but being a Flames fan isn't for the faint of heart. You have to be prepared for annual disappointment and the hockey gods never ruling in your favour.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by kehatch

More media coming out and talking about the Flames reluctance to committ to a rebuild. Freidman saying the Flames are reluctant wanting to be competitive when the new building opens. Saying players approached him prior to last season asking of they were rebuidling and Conroy said no, he would reassess after the season.

People see what they want to see.

[flambers]

Scary thing the arena is not that far away....

Flames however have lots of challenges to be a contender by that time

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by flambers

Scary thing the arena is not that far away....

Flames however have lots of challenges to be a contender by that time

The Flames don't need to be a contender in 2 years, they just need to be on a trajectory that fans can be excited about.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

The Flames don't need to be a contender in 2 years, they just need to be on a trajectory that fans can be excited about.

I'm not sure even that is possible. Are Flames fans capable of being excited?

[flambers]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

The Flames don't need to be a contender in 2 years, they just need to be on a trajectory that fans can be excited about.

My guess ownership won't agree

I would think the plan for the Flames is to be a contender when the building opens (i.e. playoff revenue etc.)

[blankall]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

The Flames don't need to be a contender in 2 years, they just need to be on a trajectory that fans can be excited about.

2 years of tanking should do the job honestly.

A core of Wolf, Parekh, Reschny and two other top prospects would be pretty exciting.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by flambers

My guess ownership won't agree

I would think the plan for the Flames is to be a contender when the building opens (i.e. playoff revenue etc.)

The chances that Calgary is going to be a contender by the time the arena opens is slim.

They are just starting the stage where they fall to the bottom of the league. It's likely 4-5 years from now, and there is never any guarantee that even high draft picks pan out. And even when they do pan out, it may take some years before they do.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by blankall

2 years of tanking should do the job honestly.

A core of Wolf, Parekh, Reschny and two other top prospects would be pretty exciting.

And the Flames may be "picking" the right time to bottom out if these next 2 drafts are strong. I firmly believe 2026 is at minimum above average.
2027 has Dupont at the top, but the other encouraging sign is the early view is that it will have a good center group. Names like Michal Hratl, Kaden McGregor, Alexis Joseph, but there's a lot of centers in the early lists. Tons of time ahead and things will change, but it's a good early sign.

[cam_wmh]

My hot take; this summer, Murray has us spending to the cap.

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by cam_wmh

My hot take; this summer, Murray has us spending to the cap.

Gross

[All In Good Time]

Originally Posted by blankall

2 years of tanking should do the job honestly.

A core of Wolf, Parekh, Reschny and two other top prospects would be pretty exciting.

Yep
If everything goes really well, bottoming out this year and next, followed by a few years of nice steady improvement as the young players step into the league and learn the ropes. The result should have us challenging for a playoff spot in the 2030/31 season. Barring any setbacks

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by blankall

2 years of tanking should do the job honestly.

A core of Wolf, Parekh, Reschny and two other top prospects would be pretty exciting.

Yup. In two years, the prospect pool will be among the best in the NHL. That will be enough to energize the fan base with the new arena.

[Calgary4LIfe]

I have always said that there are two ways that a team can sell tickets to their fans:
1) Sell them tickets to a winning product
2) Sell them hope


Injecting a couple of high picks to go with Wolf and Parekh, plus having a very deep prospect base, is a fantastic way of selling hope.


The alternative would be to make sure you are contending by then. Let's say Edwards gives Conroy an ultimatum - build this team so when the building opens, the Flames have a shot at the cup. Conroy would have to sign UFAs and make trades exchanging futures for win now players. UFAs still probably don't want to come here without a big overpay. Trying to make trades when a lot of players have Calgary on their NTC makes things tricky too. I don't see a way forward in that direction that results in an actual good team. I am positive that a 'mushy middle' team will probably be possible, but is that really selling hope or selling a winning product? Apathy will set-in quickly.


When the new building opens, it will be a much needed breath of fresh air for this organization. Shiny new building with shiny new prospects that will entertain us. Since Gaudreau left, there hasn't been much in the way of entertainment. Very few moments of 'get out of your seat' excitement.


Nothing is guaranteed with prospects, but I do believe that the Flames are a very good drafting and development team now. Leaning into this strength, especially when the drafts are above average with 'superstar potential' at the top, just makes way too much sense.

[vilzeh]

Originally Posted by dino7c

They are playing top team after top team...I think his numbers will stabilize when it gets back to normal.

they they have played 7 games
Oilers, Vegas, Jets have been four of them...probably the highest top end offensive players in the league.
Add the Vancouver back to back which in hindsight wasn't a good idea.

Mix in some Sabres, Preds, Kings ect. and the goalie stats probably start to look a lot better.

Besides the contract starts next year...8M for Wolf will age very well, your post will not

I love your crystal ball, mind lending it?

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by vilzeh

I love your crystal ball, mind lending it?

It's called the schedule. The Flames haven't yet played any of the bad teams that Wolf had his best numbers against last year.