I do love how everyone seemingly neglects what actually happened with the 'successful' tanking teams. Allow us to review, hmm?
Chicago was perpetually awful not only due to a dearth of quality NHL, but an owner who became so infamous in his frugality, fans booed his eulogy. They faced numerous seasons where merely 10,000 fans showing up was considered a positive. Even finishing dead last repeatedly did not provide immediate success-- rather it took a decade of development, trading and an overhaul of management from the top down before they finally began to turn the corner. Chicago, in fact, looks worse than Edmonton come the early 2000s. Few pay attention to their sordid past now that they have won three Stanley cup, however the Blackhawks were little more than a laughing stock once upon a time.
Tampa is an odd example, considering they may lose their tank acquired asset for nothing, and are primarily winning on talented drafted in later rounds. They, essentially, prove the precise opposite that the only path to success is through being dreadful for a decade.
LA faced threats of relocation prior to Gretzky's influence, and even thereafter struggled for years at any sort of relevancy. They lucked into Kopitar through the Crosby lottery sweepstakes, along with Montreal opting to draft a goaltender in lieu of their much needed center.
So, yes. Let's be Chicago! We can perpetually fail for the reminder of the 2010s, ruin our youth until we replace them with a multitude of 1st overall selections and have an arena of 13,000 again! Or perhaps we try a better solution and development our young prospects in a winning environment..
People also need to appreciate this is a business venture. No owner will intentionally tank and risk losing revenue. Contrary to popular belief, the vast majority of fans do not actually care about draft picks or obscure prospects suddenly performing. Ben Hutton? I guarantee not a single knew of his existence, let alone were excitedly awaiting his arrival. Hell, it took a full season before people recognized Horvat. Not to mention his struggles this season are entirely why I prefer our current development philosophy. Imagine the difficulty he would face were he relied upon as our de facto leader because the Sedins and everyone else were traded for picks.
As it stands, we might actually turn the corner while the Sedins are still premium players. I'd rather that than loiter in the basement for only a 20% shot at Matthews.
Exactly correct.
I mean, I have no issue with trading Hamhuis or Vrbata for picks at the deadline, because the season will have more or less been played out. If those players have value (I doubt Vrbata has much, to be honest), than it makes sense to get something rather than lose them for nothing.
But look at the roster the Leafs are bringing to town tomorrow. Does anybody want to support a team that looks like that? A glorified AHL team? The Leafs, if they stay the course, will be awful for YEARS, Austin Matthews or not.
Building an intentionally bad roster will result in just that - being bad.
You should go into every season with the intention of making the playoffs, in my opinion. If it doesn't work out, then you reassess as the season goes along, and maybe move your UFAs for something if you can.
As far as the Canucks go, I would like to see Hamhuis re-signed to a reasonable contract. If that can't or won't happen, and he agrees to be moved, you get what you can. Assuming of course, you're not in a playoff spot.
I would move Vrbata regardless, if you can. I don't think they lose much there, even if they do make the playoffs. I really don't see why a contending team is giving up much for Vrbata at this point though.
If you can move Prust, Higgins or Weber, obviously you get what you can, although I doubt there's any interest. If some team comes calling for Bartowski, sure, move him. Seems unlikely.
I would like to get out from under the contract of Alex Burrows, but that seems unlikely.
As far as "adding" at the deadline, I would be extremely angry if Benning trades picks or prospects for a rental, but that simply isn't going to happen. When Benning talks about "adding" at the deadline, he's talking about a hockey trade that could improve the team going forward. I'm on board with that.
As far as cheering for losses, I can't quite get on board with that. Ultimately, when if becomes clear that the playoffs aren't happening, I certainly don't get as upset with the losses. In a practical sense, if you don't make the playoffs, sure, it's better to finish as low as possible. I do get the lure of a high pick, and I get where you guys are coming from. But I think you kind of need to let that happen organically, and if it happens it happens.