I don't agree with tanking, but at the same time. Edmonton sells out every game, they deserve a new toy. I do feel that doing what Buffalo did is not in the best interest of the sport. I personally believe that intentionally tanking should result in the forfeiture of your 1st round pick, but that will never happen.
How exactly has Buffalo intentionally tanked more than Edmonton?
Buffalo added veterans Moulson, Gorges, Mezaros, Gionta, Stewart, etc.
Held onto mid-20s players like Hodgson, Myers, Ennis, Stafford, Foligno, etc.
Promoted youth from within via Girgensens, Zadarov, Ristolainen, etc.
And rolled the dice on unproven 1B goalies Enroth/Neuvirth
Edmonton's veteran additions over the past 5 seasons aren't any better, especially when you look back in the 2010/2011/2012/2013 years. They haven't held onto any more mid-20s players than Buffalo, haven't made any bigger moves to address goaltending, etc. The only thing they've done differently is have three 1st OA picks walk directly onto the roster into significant roles, whereas Buffalo's top picks haven't been as NHL ready.
So if Buffalo had had the 1st OA picks in 2012/2013/2014, and they were on the roster instead of Grigorenko/Ristolainen/Reinhart being in their system, then they wouldn't be tankers? Granted for that to have happened, Buffalo would have had to ice a much worse team the previous three years, or in essence "tanked".
Edmonton tanked just as much as Buffalo. Both teams put out secondary/tertiary veterans, secondary/tertiary mid-20s players, didn't make any overly aggressive trades, and promoted from within.
In fact, Buffalo trading three 2nd round picks for Gorges/Fashing/Deslauriers are pretty comparable to the most aggressive moves Edmonton has made over the past 4-5 years combined. Trading MP + 2nd for Perron is the only time Edmonton has traded a 2nd rounder in the past 5 years.
