What is a "proper rebuild"?

[Seguin]

Im just interested because in lieu of the Burke firing theres been a lot of talk about the Leafs wanting to do just that (dont turn it into a Burke thread, please).

So the question is, what exactly is a proper rebuild, and how would you go about it? And are there any more examples of teams that have done so and won?

You look at Edmonton, and last season, their top 4 scorers and 3 of them were top 10 picks, one was 22nd overall. Is the name of the game just suck so long, load up on top-10 picks, and worry about salary when you get to it?

Pittsburgh essentially had the same situation. Malkin, Crosby, Staal, Whitney, and Fluery all within a relatively small stretch of time.

Is this whats considered a proper rebuild?

[jrice9]

There's no definate case.

The only thing I wouldn't do is trade young players for veterans.

Teams rebuild in different ways. The Oiler/Penguin method is not the only way, its in fact maybe the least imaginative.

[b1e9a8r5s]

I think the key to it is drafting well and being paitent. You can add the Blackhawks to the list of teams that did this. You draft high enough and you stockpile talent. One key is to be paitent. The Oilers might be knocking on the playoffs door and it might be tempting to trade with the hopes of getting into the playoffs. However, you can't be that short sighted to remove an asset for a rented player when you won't be winning the cup this year.

[GodsSon]

1) No long-term contracts that will cripple your cap

2) Youth galore

3) Tanking/sucking hard until you land a franchise player(s) in the draft

4) Patience

[Halladay]

I think the focus needs to be put on players who are aged between 17-25. You don't need to tank every year like the Oilers, so long as you deal away older players for picks or guys who haven't been in the league long. It's basically hoarding players under the age of 25 in my eyes. You want them as far away from free agency as possible. Once you do this for 2-3 years you start signing free agents. That's when the patience of sucking for so long comes to fruition.

[penguins2946]

Here's my list on how to rebuild:

1. Get a young goalie via trade or draft as soon as possible
2. Get good young center depth
3. Get a lot of D prospects

Centers can score a lot more without a winger than a winger can score without centers.

[kmo429]

Here's my list on how to rebuild:

1. Get a young goalie via trade or draft as soon as possible
2. Get good young center depth
3. Get a lot of D prospects

Centers can score a lot more without a winger than a winger can score without centers.

I think this is good. In my opinion:

1. Get 2 elite C prospects, build up the middle
2. Surround with other top picks and young players with upside.
3. Draft a 1st round goalie and hope for the best (or draft one later and hope he turns into a potential top 10 goalie)
4. Try to get at least 2 top tier dmen and a lot of depth.

If done to full effectiveness, should take about 5 years.

[kmo429]

It's all about drafting well and being patient and handling young players with care. Getting the #1 pick 3 years in a row helps, but it's not necessary at all. Don't give out long term contracts to older players. Be patient with your players, don't bring them up to early. Focus on C's and D's, everything else is less important in a rebuild.

[Seguin]

What I found interesting is that, since the lockout, every goalie thats won the cup is pretty much homegrown. Thomas and Giguere werent drafted by the teams they won with, but they did do most of their developing with the team.

[elate]

Suck.

Getting lost in the middle of the pack is a franchise death sentence.

[kmo429]

What I found interesting is that, since the lockout, every goalie thats won the cup is pretty much homegrown. Thomas and Giguere werent drafted by the teams they won with, but they did do most of their developing with the team.

Also look at the fact that all these team's main strength up fron in C's.

Detroit: Datsyiuk and Zetterberg
Pens: Crosby, Malkin, Staal
Kings: Kopitar, Richards, Carter
Hawks- Toews and Sharp
Canes: Staal and Bridamour

Ducks may be an exception cause they won that Cup on Giguere and that D, but they still had Andy MCDonald in hsi uninjured prime and Ryan Getzlaf

[RedWings13]

Great centers is a must for a Cup. I don't think it requires a great defense or a great goalie, just a very hot defense and/or goalie. If I were rebuilding I would draft centers heavy.

[jrice9]

I don't think there's a way to win the Cup.

There's no method. You need as good a team as possible and alot of luck.

Obviously, cup winners have great centers because you generally need a great offense. But if you look at the wingers on some great teams also, its not that surprising

[StryderSox]

Great centers is a must for a Cup. I don't think it requires a great defense or a great goalie, just a very hot defense and/or goalie. If I were rebuilding I would draft centers heavy.

I disagree. Centers are very important but a solid defense core is just as important. Look at teams like Phoenix and Nashville and St. Louis. Not a lot of fire power in terms of offense but when you can only score on them once or twice a game they still find ways to go a long way in the playoffs.

[RedWings13]

I disagree. Centers are very important but a solid defense core is just as important. Look at teams like Phoenix and Nashville and St. Louis. Not a lot of fire power in terms of offense but when you can only score on them once or twice a game they still find ways to go a long way in the playoffs.

I said for winning a Cup, and none of those teams have won a Cup lol. The farthest either team has been is the West finals and that was only once. I wouldn't say the defense on those teams is great either, their system is great defensively though.