McMichael

[Old_Goat]

It's nice to be quibbling about so many very good players that have or should only have contracts in the $5.75MM to $8.75MM range. I'm sure it's great to have the elite jersey for $15-17MM, but there are no guarantees. That view may be awesome, but one or two injuries "slip off the cliff" without a "safety rope" of balance and depth ends the climb to the top.

Agree. Like it or not, times have changed and the Blues are going to struggle to attract the real elite players. But, the league has also proven that well constructed teams can outlast teams built on the backs of a few elite players (see Carolina this year, the 2019 Blues as examples). The Blues are being constructed in such a way that one massive injury (outside of perhaps RT) shouldn’t derail our entire season. Elite talent is fun to have (I’m definitely envious of the Colorado fanbase getting to watch McK and Makar every game, for instance) but depth can be equally as important.

If a team has an elite player, they usually do not let them go, and the player doesn't choose to go either unless they see a hopeless, mismanaged lengthy tank runway. And the Blues cannot afford that...is is a business and cash flow & turnstile revenue cannot be taken lightly. The league may raise the cap, but cash is still essential. Therefore, the getting to the top draft pick via purposeful fail is not the best option for most teams. And there is not guarantee that those highest picks make it great. Probabilities them impacting yes, but not 100%.

[Backesdraft]

It's nice to be quibbling about so many very good players that have or should only have contracts in the $5.75MM to $8.75MM range. I'm sure it's great to have the elite jersey for $15-17MM, but there are no guarantees. That view may be awesome, but one or two injuries "slip off the cliff" without a "safety rope" of balance and depth ends the climb to the top.

Agree. Like it or not, times have changed and the Blues are going to struggle to attract the real elite players. But, the league has also proven that well constructed teams can outlast teams built on the backs of a few elite players (see Carolina this year, the 2019 Blues as examples). The Blues are being constructed in such a way that one massive injury (outside of perhaps RT) shouldn’t derail our entire season. Elite talent is fun to have (I’m definitely envious of the Colorado fanbase getting to watch McK and Makar every game, for instance) but depth can be equally as important.

If a team has an elite player, they usually do not let them go, and the player doesn't choose to go either unless they see a hopeless, mismanaged lengthy tank runway. And the Blues cannot afford that...is is a business and cash flow & turnstile revenue cannot be taken lightly. The league may raise the cap, but cash is still essential. Therefore, the getting to the top draft pick via purposeful fail is not the best option for most teams. And there is not guarantee that those highest picks make it great. Probabilities them impacting yes, but not 100%.

Again…same page.

The full on tank always scares me because it isn’t a guarantee. Look at Vancouver. All that losing and then they lose the 1st overall pick to a team who has consistently been a contender. Look at Florida. Three cup appearances in a row, two wins, then one down year and they luck into a top 10 pick. Ya just can’t plan for those sort of variables.