Gotta think the short season didn't help; too bad, looked like he had some talent.

Well, a stanley cup every year should be the "ultimate" goal. But yeah, and I think we've seen a slight level of improvement but not as much as we could have seen.

I'm not positive you can just "speed up the rebuild" by adding wily vets while completely overhauling the roster and bringing in high end young talent. You want to foster development, but re-tooling so aggressively and so vet-oriented leaves you essentially where you've been in the conference: 9th or 10th, right?

There are pros and cons to each strategy.
- Morris

I don't think Colin's advocating a strategy whereby we just cycle in a bunch of new vets. We're just looking for some good solid guys that can help to insulate the kids while they learn how to play at an NHL level.

You guys have seen first hand how throwing young kids into significant roles right away can cause more harm than good. Looking at a kid like Nuge (and this is no knock against the kid, he's still going to be a great player), how nice would it have been to have been able to let him develop a bit as the 2nd line center, rather than going straight into matchups against the best defensive pairings in the league?

Sure, but that strikes me as similar to saying "did you really expect Jordan Staal to cup in 2 years"?
- Dirte

We'll have to agree to disagree. I don't see much of a similarity between the five years previous to each of those players.

Crosby 1st
Malkin 2nd
Fleury 1st
Whitney 5th
Armstrong 21st

VS
Paajarvi 10th
Eberle 22nd
Gagner 6th
NO PICK
Cogliano 25th

Some similarity, but really not the same.

I don't think Colin's advocating a strategy whereby we just cycle in a bunch of new vets. We're just looking for some good solid guys that can help to insulate the kids while they learn how to play at an NHL level.

You guys have seen first hand how throwing young kids into significant roles right away can cause more harm than good. Looking at a kid like Nuge (and this is no knock against the kid, he's still going to be a great player), how nice would it have been to have been able to let him develop a bit as the 2nd line center, rather than going straight into matchups against the best defensive pairings in the league?
- jtommyt

Yeah, there's definitely room for improvement on the Edmonton model. However, I would be very impressed if any team could garner all the positives of the Edmonton model while avoiding all the negatives.

Yeah, there's definitely room for improvement on the Edmonton model. However, I would be very impressed if any team could garner all the positives of the Edmonton model while avoiding all the negatives.
- Morris

A rebuild's definitely never an easy task...

(Shut up Ottawa, no one's talking to you.)

A rebuild's definitely never an easy task...

(Shut up Ottawa, no one's talking to you.)
- jtommyt

You're probably closer to be able to do the Ottawa thing than Edmonton was. But Ottawa was a pretty extraordinary scenario where they underachieved despite their great roster. Then they got a huge, instant over-achievement (based on draft position) with Karlsson. It's just not fairrrrrrr

You guys shouldn't be worrying about the top end FA is this years class because 1 they aren't young and 2 they aren't that good

Rebuild. Flames are one of my favorite teams and it pains me that they finally just decided to rebuild

Looks like that rebuild is starting off great. Losing assets for nothing. I am so glad Feaster is your GM
- Ihatebrianburke

He cost nothing and therefore he is no real loss that he leaves without a return.

Uhh..Souray?
- Blackstrom2

And....uuhhhhh.... Whitney

A few guys on your list that I would like CGY to go after, Colin.

Filppula, Stalberg and Clarkson

Flipper plays all 3 fwd positions and reuniting him with his buddy Hudler could be good.

The other 2 add grit and some size to the right side.

Welcome back by the way. I hope you hiatus and golf game were all good

Riberio Roy? So I guess the playoffs is the goal.

You'll love Riberio though, he is hated by most officials in the league.
- Lahey

And fans as well

Division Standings next year.

1. Anaheim
2. Los Angeles
3. San Jose
4. Vancouver
5. Phoenix (if they remain in Arizona)
6. Edmonton
7. Calgary
- LeftCoaster

This is interesting coming from a VAN fan. I'm curious as to how you think CGY makes the PO next year? Serious question.

This is interesting coming from a VAN fan. I'm curious as to how you think CGY makes the PO next year? Serious question.
- TandA4Flames

7th in division does not make playoffs lol
He is picking flames to finish last ... Top 3-5 get in depending on points

You guys shouldn't be worrying about the top end FA is this years class because 1 they aren't young and 2 they aren't that good

Rebuild. Flames are one of my favorite teams and it pains me that they finally just decided to rebuild
- Danformo

Im starting to realize that the notion of a "rebuild" is rather subjective.

I don't think Colin's advocating a strategy whereby we just cycle in a bunch of new vets. We're just looking for some good solid guys that can help to insulate the kids while they learn how to play at an NHL level.

You guys have seen first hand how throwing young kids into significant roles right away can cause more harm than good. Looking at a kid like Nuge (and this is no knock against the kid, he's still going to be a great player), how nice would it have been to have been able to let him develop a bit as the 2nd line center, rather than going straight into matchups against the best defensive pairings in the league?
- jtommyt

I completely agree. The idea of signing UFA vets is to take the pressure off the kids coming up. It also allows a team to maintain a legitimate chance at challenging for the PO and maintaining a winning attitude.

Obviously there are 2 schools of thought on this. The Oilers burned it to the ground and the strategy (and yes, even a rebuild has a strategy) was to suck for a few years, draft high and put together some high talent. The risk is that these kids can lose coinfidence or fall into a mentallity whereby losing becomes the norm and the expectation. Of course no pro player or manager is going to say that that is the way but things start to creep into ones approach without being aware. The positives are that you draft some of the highest talents available in each draft.

CGY's approach will likely not return the high end guys, at least at the draft stage, but they may develop into better players and a better team as they will learn professionalism, hopefully, from added vets. This is actually a time that CGY should be looking for character. I think they've actually started that with guys like Hanowski etc. They need a couple NHL's though.

Im starting to realize that the notion of a "rebuild" is rather subjective.
- Colin Dambrauskas

I agree , I like some of our non nhl ready prospects and don't want to see them rushed in just because we are "rebuilding" , let them come when ready and play the guys like baertchi , reinhart , etc. if you need a certain role to be filled dont force a kid at 3c to be a 2c . I'd rather sign a vet who can fill both roles and ease the kid in. so lets teach these kids not ruin them

7th in division does not make playoffs lol
He is picking flames to finish last ... Top 3-5 get in depending on points
- Redmile247

Oh right.........realignment. Forgot about that little detail.

I can't help but notice that this blog missed one important reason why Cervenka went back to the KHL. Maybe cause Feaster is an idiot and he didn't wanna remain and be a part of the "retooling" that is going to take place the next few years in Calgary. Not hard to figure that out. Also the fact he probably realized it's a lot harder to play over here than the KHL and people actually hit in this league. No loss to the flames whatsoever. Good riddance ya pansy, thanks for gracing the League with your presence.

I guess he can go back to being the best centre not currently in the NHL.

We'll have to agree to disagree. I don't see much of a similarity between the five years previous to each of those players.

Crosby 1st
Malkin 2nd
Fleury 1st
Whitney 5th
Armstrong 21st

VS
Paajarvi 10th
Eberle 22nd
Gagner 6th
NO PICK
Cogliano 25th

Some similarity, but really not the same.
- Morris

But, you see the point I'm making, don't you? Even if it's exaggerated?

A few guys on your list that I would like CGY to go after, Colin.

Filppula, Stalberg and Clarkson

Flipper plays all 3 fwd positions and reuniting him with his buddy Hudler could be good.

The other 2 add grit and some size to the right side.

Welcome back by the way. I hope you hiatus and golf game were all good
- TandA4Flames

These guys are wayy more sensible than Roy and Ribeiro. Veteran insulation to younger players, but with a chance to be around when the team bounces back.

But, you see the point I'm making, don't you? Even if it's exaggerated?
- Dirte

I would never argue that we haven't been in the process of major building (if you want to say re-building, that's cool) since Pronger left. I was mostly talking about the massive change in build strategy that accompanied the leadup to the 2010 draft and thereafter.

An experienced, supporting cast who can still play hockey is important to a club trying to develop their players. That is the only reason I can see them showing interset....by not bringing in guys who can handle the work load while the youth learn, sends a sign to the league/team that theyre just going to ride things out and hope for the best. Not the greatest way to accomplish goals imo...hasnt been working for Edmonton...
- Colin Dambrauskas

Don't the flames already have an "experienced" support cast? Cammy, Tangay, Sarich, Wideman, Gio, GlenX, Hudler.

I would never argue that we haven't been in the process of major building (if you want to say re-building, that's cool) since Pronger left. I was mostly talking about the massive change in build strategy that accompanied the leadup to the 2010 draft and thereafter.
- Morris

In that case then, back to the original point, I’d imagine the goals they set when Pronger left were a little loftier than 7 years out of the playoffs. That would be the goals they’ve “whiffed” on.

I also think they someone expected to make the playoffs this year. I think it was last year that they tore out of the gate, then faltered, and I think that raised expectations a fair bit. AT least, I’m certain it did in the fanbase, if not the management.

In that case then, back to the original point, I’d imagine the goals they set when Pronger left were a little loftier than 7 years out of the playoffs. That would be the goals they’ve “whiffed” on.

I also think they someone expected to make the playoffs this year. I think it was last year that they tore out of the gate, then faltered, and I think that raised expectations a fair bit. AT least, I’m certain it did in the fanbase, if not the management.
- Dirte

So why is all the criticism lobbed at the "scorched earth" era, and not the "offer sheet Penner and Vanek, trade for Heatley, try to lure Nylander with an Edmonton's great DVD and overpay Horcoff and Pisani by 2 million each" era?

Colin is talking about avoiding the mistakes made by Edmonton since the scorched earth era, and I responded within those parameters.

Damage was done at that time. The whole post cup run history (07-10) is a cluster(frank). They whiffed on ALL their goals. I agree with you there.

It is not my opinion that when they arrive at a completely barren roster and prospect pool, and prepped to draft (Taylor Hall) first overall, they intended to make the playoffs within 3 years. You can agree to disagree there.

Most fans here made their goal being in the run for the playoffs by the trade deadline (which we were), whatever indicator that may be.