Poll Request: Retool or Rebuild?

[ForeverFlameFan]

Retool to the point that you're basically rebuilding, but are not having to wait 5 years for the team to rebuild. With the draft lottery almost always having a team outside the top 3 winning a top 3 pick, you can rebuild without having to tank the team. Rebuild with Tkachuk, Backlund, Bennett, Lucic, Dube, and Lindholm as your top 6 forwards. Trade Gaudreau and Monahan to teams that are willing to overpay. Roll with Hanifin - Andersson as the top pairing, Giordano - RD UFA and Valimaki - Kylington as the bottom pairing. Drop Giordano to the bottom pairing if Valiamki starts to play better than Giordano during the regular season. Sign Hall if you can. If you can't use, then use the excess cap space to take advantage of other teams.

With the cap staying the same for a bit, this might be the right time for us to start this mini rebuild until this cap starts to inflate again. Lots of teams are in potential cap trouble, this is time to take advantage of that. For example, we can probably snag Cernak from the Lightning for super cheap.

[Joborule]

Originally Posted by Jeff Lebowski

This isn't Edmonton. Meaning if the Flames tank and try a full blown rebuild, the fans won't show up in droves like they do in Edmonton. Calgary's ownership will not tolerate/allow losing tons of money with a half empty (corporate seats) arena. Fans won't shell out $$$ to see a last place team.

We've seen this in both cities. Edmonton fans sell out last place team home games. That does not happen in Calgary.

It's easy as fans to want that when you don't foot the bill.

Do you know that for certain? In fact, I would say the reason Edmonton had sellout crowds despite a decade of crap up to that point, is because they ended up getting one of the most exciting players in the game.

If there's an actual plan and hope in development, with entertaining play, the fans will come even if they lose more times than win.

[badradio]

If they do a complete rebuild, I always thought it would be great to watch a team full of big goons. Already have Lucic, and Chucky is a great agitator. I’d load up on big players that like to hit, the entertainment value would be there, while, most likely, losing a lot of games to get some higher draft picks. Never know they might do well... It sure would be fun to watch though!

[taxbuster]

Originally Posted by Bingo

That's been the history for sure.

Not sure it's the present or midterm future.

I've felt for a long time that sports was evolving towards TV and away from the live experience, and that could be sped up if this covid thing doesn't go away soon.

Even if it does go away we may see people still hesitant.

Add in a new building that people are less eager to spend up to and we may see franchise values of sports that rely on butts in seats drifting downward.

That's a definite possibility. Also that there is a guarantee that the Flames won't move...so that may somewhat stagnate the annual value increment.

They'll have to start winning to earn more $$$.