Here is the hockey scene in southern Alberta. After a dismal start to the season, all signs pointed to an overhaul in Calgary with bodies being shipped out and entering a rebuild mode. Longtime GM Darryl Sutter was let go and rumors circulated about the possible departure of team captain, and greatest thing since Lanny MacDonald's mustache, Jarome Iginla. Then, something happened. The Flames started winning. A lot. The Flames were in the playoff picture and seemed virtually unstoppable and the plans of blowing up the team was put on the back-burner. The Flames brass decided they were "all-in" and postponed clearing salary and collecting draft picks to build a sustainable team for the future.
Fast-forward to March, the Flames are in the playoff picture that is looking bleak. Currently in 10th place and having less games to play than the teams in front of them, the Flames' playoff chance are almost as slim as their cap space. The final nail in the coffin could be delivered tonight in the Battle of Alberta. Regardless of the outcome, the fate of the 2010-11 Flames is evident.
The current state of the Flames' organization is well documented. Little to no wiggle-room in the salary cap. A cupboard of potential prospects that is running on empty. And past dealings have lead to little high-end picks in an already diluted draft class. The question is: What's next?
In my humble, non-I-Wish-Nothing-But-Years-Of-Suffering-For-Calgary opinion, the Flames need to look at their neighbors up north and perhaps adopt their game plan. A few years ago, the Oilers were in the same position as the Flames: maxed-out their salary cap, trying to contend for the playoffs with a inferior on-ice product, and was barely treading water in the competitive NHL. The Oilers were sinking.
But before the Oilers drowned, they decided to hit the reset button. Oil Country is in full-throttle rebuild mode with a nucleus of young talent that brings hope for the future. House cleaning started last offseason with the departure of several veterans and the keys to the car have been handed over to the likes of Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle and Magnus Paajarvi. Along with the on-ice personnel, the Oilers are armed with draft picks, lots of cap space, and promising prospects in hopes of returning to the "glory days." Throw in the possibility of a new arena and excitement about what the future brings is contagious. Yes, the Oilers will miss the playoffs for the fifth consecutive season. But instead of trying to find "quick-fixes", spend money freely, and build on a flawed model, the Oilers are developing a system and culture that has a shot at success in the long run. Instead of sinking beneath the waters, the Oilers are floating. And this has given its fans one thing: optimism. This is the hockey scene in northern Alberta.
So my question to all Calgary Flames fans is this: Do you want to sink or swim?
