Bob Frid-Imagn Photos
The Calgary Flames are undefeated, and so they’re thrilling to observe proper now in a season that is fairly essential for his or her future.
They have been off to a terrific begin to the season, profitable their first 4 video games and outscoring opponents by a 19-10 mixed complete.
But when we’re being sincere, we see the Flames’ present sizzling streak as a double-edged sword. As a result of from this author’s viewpoint, the very last thing Calgary wants is one other end within the “mushy center” – a spot they’ve been very accustomed to for years.
Don’t get us unsuitable – there may be some profit to having a handful of veterans now and for the foreseeable future, equivalent to Nazem Kadri, Blake Coleman and MacKenzie Weegar. It additionally has to really feel good for Flames followers to see kids like goalie Dustin Wolf and skaters Martin Pospisil, Connor Zary and Matt Coronato garnering essential expertise that can assist Calgary within the lengthy haul.
However Flames GM Craig Conroy says the workforce’s done having a fire sale after final season and that their remaining veterans are a part of the answer, in accordance with TSN’s Pierre LeBrun.
There are benefits of going that route, however we’re going again to one thing we are saying pretty usually – we don’t consider within the administration philosophy that prioritizes a re-tool quite than a full rebuild. Groups can discuss not eager to endure dropping – and lots of dropping – for years earlier than they’re in a position to problem the most effective groups within the NHL. However the mushy center – the place the place a workforce isn’t adequate to make the Stanley Cup playoffs and in addition not unhealthy sufficient to complete with the most effective odds at profitable the NHL draft lottery – is about as unhealthy as a spot a workforce may be when making an attempt to construct depth by the draft.
The Chicago Blackhawks (with Connor Bedard), San Jose Sharks (with Macklin Celebrini), Toronto Maple Leafs (with Auston Matthews), Buffalo Sabres (with Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Energy) and Montreal Canadiens (with Juraj Slafkovsky) all needed to take it on the chin for no less than a pair years earlier than the hockey gods rewarded them with the highest decide in drafts. The Edmonton Oilers wouldn’t have had Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl in the event that they didn’t embrace a prolonged rebuild, both. We’d wager should you requested them whether or not it was price dropping to get that generational sort of expertise, they’d enthusiastically let you know it was price it.
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Flames followers are mature sufficient to acknowledge how the hockey enterprise works, and they’d perceive fully if Conroy introduced to his colleagues that Calgary would commerce Weegar, Coleman, Kadri or others for the precise supply. You’d higher consider they may get a sizeable haul for Kadri and Weegar if Conroy put them on the commerce block.
Proper now – and even when you think about their present sizzling streak – the Flames aren’t going to be elite quickly, barring a miracle. So, should you’re not going to be the most effective, why not grit your enamel as a company, trudge by a few common seasons and are available out the opposite finish with a excessive caliber of stars?
The Flames know in addition to anybody what it takes to usher in a foundational expertise and powerful depth. Higher to take a step again and give attention to the longer term than attempt to be a first-rate group. That’s the most effective choice we see for Calgary, and whereas we’re completely happy to be confirmed unsuitable, we actually don’t see it.
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