I dont think it is at all. I'd happily take a few losses with the knowledge you get to look forward to some exciting young players on roster. I'd rather stink it up for a few years, to inherit a decade of top players, than stay status quo for many years. The more the better.
- prock

Difference of opinion. It depends on whether you believe that you can build a team from the middle rankings. Yes most of the teams to win cups in recent years benefited from some luck here and there but trying to manufacture said luck is in my opinion embarrassing the the team and franchise.

Or future Hall of Famer Auston Matthews.
- dshiddy

Difference of opinion. It depends on whether you believe that you can build a team from the middle rankings. Yes most of the teams to win cups in recent years benefited from some luck here and there but trying to manufacture said luck is in my opinion embarrassing the the team and franchise.
- NorthNuck

Call it what you want. History will quickly forget the years the Hawks, Kings, and Pens, spent in the basement to pick up the likes of Crosby, Malkin, Kane, Toews, Doughty (and Schenn and Hickey which were parlayed into players that helped them win their cups).

Given the choice, I EASILY take a few years in the basement, if it can lead to that.

someone was mentioning getting a big winger... Im thinking nichuskin fits that bill, is at odds with the coach reportedly, style of play is to drive to the net AND hemay be cheaper than the other names mentioned. Plus he's very young.

Love to see the canucks go after him

Call it what you want. History will quickly forget the years the Hawks, Kings, and Pens, spent in the basement to pick up the likes of Crosby, Malkin, Kane, Toews, Doughty (and Schenn and Hickey which were parlayed into players that helped them win their cups).

Given the choice, I EASILY take a few years in the basement, if it can lead to that.
- prock

Crosby was a lottery pick....
And tell that to Chicago and Los Angelas fans who had to endure those years of basement dwelling. Do you think EDM will have forgotten all those years of being terrible now that they have McDavid? His presence clearly helps, but people do not forget.

He is.

But that's a huge leap from quality prospect to "projects to be an elite goal scorer".

If you get a 20 goal scorer out of him, that's a solid outcome.
- prock

No it's not.

This team needs a sniper and Brock's our best option right now. There's not much else. The management team must make a decision on whether he has the raw skills to possibly be an elite scorer in the NHL. If they think he does then develop the hell out of him and cross your fingers.

No point in sitting around until one drops into your lap like it did in TO.

Call it what you want. History will quickly forget the years the Hawks, Kings, and Pens, spent in the basement to pick up the likes of Crosby, Malkin, Kane, Toews, Doughty (and Schenn and Hickey which were parlayed into players that helped them win their cups).

Given the choice, I EASILY take a few years in the basement, if it can lead to that.
- prock

i would have thought you'd measure things in decades rather than years.

someone was mentioning getting a big winger... Im thinking nichuskin fits that bill, is at odds with the coach reportedly, style of play is to drive to the net AND hemay be cheaper than the other names mentioned. Plus he's very young.

Love to see the canucks go after him
- SMBDragon

His Rights are still owned by DAL, and I think he signed a two year deal for the KHL. I can't imagine it would be an easy transaction from many angles.

Or future Hall of Famer Auston Matthews.
- dshiddy

Isn't he already in there?

Crosby was a lottery pick....
And tell that to Chicago and Los Angelas fans who had to endure those years of basement dwelling. Do you think EDM will have forgotten all those years of being terrible now that they have McDavid? His presence clearly helps, but people do not forget.
- Codes1087

Crosby was a lottery pick weighted by the standings from previous 3 seasons. The Pens were one of only a few teams that had 3 balls in the lottery. They, among a few other teams, had the highest odds.

And yes, Edmonton fans (which endured worst case scenario), will forget those years now that they have McDavid and will be a top team. Absolutely they will. Because they can look forward to being a great team for the next decade.

Crosby was a lottery pick weighted by the standings from previous 3 seasons. The Pens were one of only a few teams that had 3 balls in the lottery. They, among a few other teams, had the highest odds.

And yes, Edmonton fans (which endured worst case scenario), will forget those years now that they have McDavid and will be a top team. Absolutely they will. Because they can look forward to being a great team for the next decade.
- prock

To each their own I guess

The guys over at TSN think Toronto should make Kadri captain of the leafs.

No it's not.

This team needs a sniper and Brock's our best option right now. There's not much else. The management team must make a decision on whether he has the raw skills to possibly be an elite scorer in the NHL. If they think he does then develop the hell out of him and cross your fingers.

No point in sitting around until one drops into your lap like it did in TO.
- bloatedmosquito

Just because you need one, that doesn't suddenly make him project into one.

You're right he hasn't. But neither have many of the young guys in these discussions, or in some cases they've only played a couple dozen. Just cause a guy looks good in his first year doesn't mean he's going to turn out how you dream, but that's a separate discussion.

The point I was hoping to make was directed at the "4 games costing us spots" in the draft. At the end of the day if you're relying so much on tanking every single game possible, what the hells the point of even following a team you hope to see lose? It's completely idiotic to look back and say "Dang, I really wish we lost those games"
- NorthNuck

Well, I don't want to belabour the point but most of the kids we're talking about have played NHL games, even if it's only a few dozen. Marner, Eichel, McDavid, Werenski, Scheifele, etc. have all played games and they're contributing in a meaningful way.

On your second point, I agree 100%, I don think any organization in their right mind is trying to lose all 82 games.

New Look D this morning.

Hutton - Gudbranson
Sbisa - Stecher
Tryamkin - Larsen

29 other teams must be shaking in fear

Well, I don't want to belabour the point but most of the kids we're talking about have played NHL games, even if it's only a few dozen. Marner, Eichel, McDavid, Werenski, Scheifele, etc. have all played games and they're contributing in a meaningful way.

On your second point, I agree 100%, I don think any organization in their right mind is trying to lose all 82 games.
- LeftCoaster

The sabres sure looked like they were trying, when they got eichel. Looked like they were trading away anybody that caused them to win a game.

Crosby was a lottery pick weighted by the standings from previous 3 seasons. The Pens were one of only a few teams that had 3 balls in the lottery. They, among a few other teams, had the highest odds.

And yes, Edmonton fans (which endured worst case scenario), will forget those years now that they have McDavid and will be a top team. Absolutely they will. Because they can look forward to being a great team for the next decade.
- prock

I actually feel dirty about this, but I agree with you

New Look D this morning.

Hutton - Gudbranson
Sbisa - Stecher
Tryamkin - Larsen

29 other teams must be shaking in fear
- Codes1087

Wow Sbisa is the veteran

I actually feel dirty about this, but I agree with you
- LeftCoaster

It's the nature of being a fan. You'll always remember the "holy poop we won" moments the most. So if it takes some poopty times to get there, it's worth it.

The sabres sure looked like they were trying, when they got eichel. Looked like they were trading away anybody that caused them to win a game.
- prock

Back in the 70's and 80's there were teams that barely won 20 games and they never won, the Leafs included, so it's more about ability to draft well than just poophouse luck picking at the bottom.

Washington and the Canucks drafted in similar late positions from 2008 onward, they found seven or more really good quality NHL players, while Mike Gillis found none....again, it's a lot about your team's ability to draft well.

The sabres sure looked like they were trying, when they got eichel. Looked like they were trading away anybody that caused them to win a game.
- prock

examples include?

It's the nature of being a fan. You'll always remember the "holy poop we won" moments the most. So if it takes some poopty times to get there, it's worth it.
- prock

Of course, I'm a born and raised West Coaster, I cheer for the Canucks because I'm from here, they're my home team. I'd much rather have endured 10 years of crap to experience a championship than 46 years of nothing so we can maintain our middle of the road status.

examples include?
- Codes1087

Didn't they trade their goalie, maybe Neuvirth, when he went on a hot streak?

Of course, I'm a born and raised West Coaster, I cheer for the Canucks because I'm from here, they're my home team. I'd much rather have endured 10 years of crap to experience a championship than 46 years of nothing so we can maintain our middle of the road status.
- LeftCoaster

I bet there isn't a single Cubs fan regretting one second of being a Cubs fan right now. Proud of every minute of it.

Didn't they trade their goalie, maybe Neuvirth, when he went on a hot streak?
- prock

lol..

Maybe a second example?