You don’t need the home run, and we can re-build without sucking. Build a team like the late 90′s Oilers that were tough to play against to start, then add a piece here and there as they may come available.

I don’t really want to see this team shit the bed and purposely tank, and I do think that they can make it to the playoffs this year with a few changes. However, it’s hard not to think of how great it would be to have a REAL big name Crosby-esque franchise player here again.

But I don’t think you’re too far off in your original thought, Mr. X… what if we get Patrik Stefaned, or Alexandre Daigled. Then we just waisted a year on a dud, and set this franchise back even further. Or what if we finish second or third last (and don’t win the lottery) and end up with a good, but not great player? It’s a bit of a risk, either way. I think last year would have been the time to really go for it though, given how deep the prospect pool was.

Again, they could also go the old Canadiens route and try to stockpile 1st round picks as well too.

Maybe it’s not a bad idea, from a managerial/ownership perspective. The fans could very well revolt, but as was stated earlier, there is a wait list for season tickets so if part of the fan base gets frustrated and moves on, new blood will replace it and a top pick in next year’s entry draft would generate some interest in the team again as well. Whether we can sign them or not there would be value in an early pick.

If they are going to tank though, they have to embrace it. No picking up rental players for a late playoff push. No middle of the pack, we’ll do better next year talk. It’s all or nothing.

Next year is the Taylor Hall draft. We always here how this year’s #1 pick is that much better than last year’s #1 pick.. but in this case it sounds like it’s pretty true. It’s hard not to think about tanking on purpose. This last year (as in 08/09) would have been a good time to do it too.

The other thing we could do is try to trade for more top picks. The Montreal Canadiens were famous for doing this when they were winning cups. This is how they kept such a potent team for years.

I think our prospect pool is pretty solid, but there’s no one guy that we can really say will carry the team like a Crosby, Ovechkin, Lecavalier, Iginla, or potentially Stamkos, Kane, or Tavares. I think one brief nose dive to pick up a franchise guy would be all we would need. I’m not so sure we need the 2 or 3 year failure plan. But I also don’t really think it’s going to be easy to pull off a winner for the next few years anyways, with all the contracts handcuffing this team.

So hey.. maybe they’ve silently made that decision already. I don’t know.