Colin Dambrauskas: Calgary Flames Post Game thoughts // The Edmonton Oilers Perpetual Rebuild

Colin Dambrauskas: Calgary Flames Post Game thoughts // The Edmonton Oilers Perpetual Rebuild
- Colin Dambrauskas

So you think it's the right idea to hold onto Iginla and Kipper, effectively blocking them from having any more chances at a Stanley Cup?
Truly rebuilding would involve looking at the future, I believe you've already lost your best opportunities to cash in on those 2 players.

While I agree having a losing mentality is bad, I don't think that Edmonton purposefully tanked it, they just suck(ed). They clearly have the better rebuild.

Look at Pittsburgh, Drafting in the top 2 4 years in a row. With a 5th overall the year before that streak....

So you think it's the right idea to hold onto Iginla and Kipper, effectively blocking them from having any more chances at a Stanley Cup?
- JCSabs06

..no, I dont. But it will depend on how the team fares moving forward. Like I said in the blog, if they cant get it together soon, they will need to entertain moving guys like that. But they will move them for NHL ready pieces, in all likelyness. Not sell them off, tank and try again in 4-5 years.

So you think it's the right idea to hold onto Iginla and Kipper, effectively blocking them from having any more chances at a Stanley Cup?
- JCSabs06

When their contracts are up they're free to leave... that's how contracts work.

I'd obviously prefer to realize some value from the assets before they go, but no one's blocking anyone from anything by expecting a player to honor their contract.

Colin Dambrauskas: Calgary Flames Post Game thoughts // The Edmonton Oilers Perpetual Rebuild
- Colin Dambrauskas

we were pretty delusional with Gagner and Cogliano

we were pretty delusional with Gagner and Cogliano
- Oil_Addict

hey we lived through the 'Young Gun' years...

The Oilers will eventually be successful and they have added great talent over the last few years.

Calgary will rebuild and my guess is they will do some big deals at the deadline and make some noise at a really rich draft this summer.

Overall Calgary has been a much more competitive and entertaining team over the last five years. Until Edmonton actually does achieve something, advantage Calgary.

But, as I said, I do like the look of the Edmonton kids.

Let me remind everyone of the code of conduct right now... specifically the "name calling" and "respect the blogger" parts...

This is your only warning.

..no, I dont. But it will depend on how the team fares moving forward. Like I said in the blog, if they cant get it together soon, they will need to entertain moving guys like that. But they will move them for NHL ready pieces, in all likelyness. Not sell them off, tank and try again in 4-5 years.
- Colin Dambrauskas

Yea, but in terms of rebuilding it clearly seems that the best route is to sell them for picks/prospects, lose some, draft high, rinse, repeat until cup. Otherwise you're just treading water. As a Buffalo fan I should at least be able to see this clearly.

Yea, but in terms of rebuilding it clearly seems that the best route is to sell them for picks/prospects, lose some, draft high, rinse, repeat until cup. Otherwise you're just treading water. As a Buffalo fan I should at least be able to see this clearly.
- JCSabs06

See: NY ISLANDERS... goes both ways. It takes more than #1 picks and none of the young Oilers talent = Crosby... not yet anyhow.

"The Islanders were beat 7-0 last night against Chicago"

I thought they played Philly last night?

Ya says the expert... agree to disagree but don't be a Richard. capiche?
- geta02it

i'll stop being a Richard as soon as you can stop talking garbage about a team not winning 2.5 years into a rebuild

..no, I dont. But it will depend on how the team fares moving forward. Like I said in the blog, if they cant get it together soon, they will need to entertain moving guys like that. But they will move them for NHL ready pieces, in all likelyness. Not sell them off, tank and try again in 4-5 years.
- Colin Dambrauskas

I get that but what do you think those guys land you that makes you any better you might stay the same by moving them. To me you have to get young talent for them which likely makes you guys take a hit in the standings for a year or two instead of a few alright nhl level players to stay competitive whatever that means

"Anyone else sick of hearing “next year, the Oilers will be great”?"

Yea, I've been sick of this for about 3 years now.

Excellent article Colin. I very much enjoyed reading it. I liked your wording on certain things. It sure made me feel good about our organization "fighting" year after year instead of quiting in hopes of a "potential" great future.

When is Tambi going to get off his hands and try to supplement his "talented" kids?

why becuase every oiler fan has said we're still 2-3 years away, and every (frank)ing loser troll says next year next year... and every loser troll says how come you're not winning yet, how come you're not winning yet, 2.5 years into a rebuild??? All you trolls sound exactly the same, and the more you guys say how come you're not winning yet, how come you aren't winning with all those draft picks, just proves how little you know about the NHL
- SpoiledByOil

right now the oilers are 8th in the west in pts/gm, and unlike last years good start they aren't winning off the back of khabby/Dubnyk. So it's pretty realistic to think they finish in the 16-22 range, how do they not improve next year to a point where they should be 12-18 range?

i'll stop being a Richard as soon as you can stop talking garbage about a team not winning 2.5 years into a rebuild
- SpoiledByOil

ahhh dude last i checked my names not Colin but thanks... my opinion is you lack the management to pull a deal that would elevate your TEAM... I don't care how long your rebulid has been or will be... and bud, I've been on this site since 07 and its the same broken record from Oil fans, it just has much more venom lately...

The Oilers were forced into a rebuild, it wasn't a conscious choice IMO. Nothing wrong with what they're doing, unless of course, they continue to falter like Columbus with continual high draft picks.

right now the oilers are 8th in the west in pts/gm, and unlike last years good start they aren't winning off the back of khabby/Dubnyk. So it's pretty realistic to think they finish in the 16-22 range, how do they not improve next year to a point where they should be 12-18 range?
- Oil_Addict

Tambellini

Colin Dambrauskas: Calgary Flames Post Game thoughts // The Edmonton Oilers Perpetual Rebuild
- Colin Dambrauskas

Nice Colin! Read Cloutiers typical blog & just shake my head. There is something definitely wrong with him. Your right, the length of the current Oiler rebuild is simpy unacceptable. They have good games just like the Flames. They just dont have the veteran content to get them to where they would be really dangerous. ST is terrified to make a mistake & move the wrong kid. Personally your Oiler counterpart didnt mention that TJ Brodie is having as good of season as Shultz. Sven will be a top 6, Backlund is playing as well as what Gagner had been before his injury. Cerevenka kid has skills, came injured but your Edmonton counterpart thinks we should sell him for a 2nd. Yeah right, ST would do that, why would we?
Then he thinks Flames will just give them JBO for a 2nd & a bunch of B prospects that dont have a future in Edmonton because they are too prospect heavy. Wrong, JBO will get us a nice package if Feaster decides to sell him & a 1st rounder will be part of that package. Thing is, we need to change the core, its too old but that is not a blow it up scenario. Kipper & Iggy & Cammi & possible JBO are all very high paid players that I think should be sold for as many NHL ready prospects & 1st rounders as we possibly can get. That frees up 26 million of cap space. We have some excellent veterans to move forward with in Hudler/Tanguay/Stemps/Gio/Wideman & we will have the cap space to go after some free agents, even if we have to over pay like you usually do. We also have some good pieces moving up, they may not be ready by next year but the year after, Reinhart, Seiloff, Gaudreau, Wotherspoon, Broisoitt will all be ready to make the Flames. Add to that the pieces we receive in trading the above 4 big pieces & the draft of multiple 1st rounders & we may not be a contender, but we wont be a bad team. The only thing that will totally upset a potential short rebound is if Iggy is resigned to a stupid big retirement contract or Feaster makes trades to try & win now. That's fine, they think they are winning the Cup this year, so let them say whatever they need to say to numb the pain wait till next year.

"Anyone else sick of hearing “next year, the Oilers will be great”?"

Yea, I've been sick of this for about 3 years now.

Excellent article Colin. I very much enjoyed reading it. I liked your wording on certain things. It sure made me feel good about our organization "fighting" year after year instead of quiting in hopes of a "potential" great future.

When is Tambi going to get off his hands and try to supplement his "talented" kids?
- TandA4Flames

Pretty sure Hall has 15 pts in 14 games while shooting 5.3 % rate, when does potential go out the window.

What is the peak for Baertschi? If he turns into Hemsky (points wise) i have to think you'd be pretty happy. I don't know if he will be as goof though imo

Colin,

Why dont you just come out and say the Flames can afford to do what the Oilers have done, due the fact that most of the flames fans are the bandwagon type that they will not fill the dome. Besides the corporate tickets. Back before the 04 run, you couldnt give tickets away in Calgary.

Colin, whats the rule on the bloggers taking shots across each others bow?

The Oilers were forced into a rebuild, it wasn't a conscious choice IMO. Nothing wrong with what they're doing, unless of course, they continue to falter like Columbus with continual high draft picks.
- LeftCoaster

Tambi will walk into tsn after finishing 19th and win the lottery with his 1.0% chance.

So you think it's the right idea to hold onto Iginla and Kipper, effectively blocking them from having any more chances at a Stanley Cup?
Truly rebuilding would involve looking at the future, I believe you've already lost your best opportunities to cash in on those 2 players.

While I agree having a losing mentality is bad, I don't think that Edmonton purposefully tanked it, they just suck(ed). They clearly have the better rebuild.

Look at Pittsburgh, Drafting in the top 2 4 years in a row. With a 5th overall the year before that streak....
- JCSabs06

I don't think moving Kipper and especially Iggy constitutes a complete rebuild; they just don't hold that aura anymore. CGY can move them and a few other key pieces at the deadline/draft and really kick start a... let's call it a youth movement. We keep a few of the vets like Tangs, GlenX and Gio and we are good.

Pretty sure Hall has 15 pts in 14 games while shooting 5.3 % rate, when does potential go out the window.

What is the peak for Baertschi? If he turns into Hemsky (points wise) i have to think you'd be pretty happy. I don't know if he will be as good though imo
- Oil_Addict