It seemed inevitable, considering the situation the Calgary Flames found themselves in last year.
Tarred and feathered by the league, their General Manager excommunicated and unheard from since; the Flames were dangerously close to being snuffed.
Then, a young man with an impressive resume of analytical knowledge was hired: Marco Shane.
The new GM did what seemed inevitable - a major overhaul.
Any staff members tied to the previous regime's transgressions was given walking papers, and Marco followed up on his "walk-around management" style.
He actually talked to the players.
Marco Shane spoke to every player on the Flames, every player on the AHL affiliate Abbotsford, the unsigned prospects, and all of their agents. It could have been done with a mass e-mail, but Marco chose the face-to-face route.
After the talking and learning period, Marco started making phone calls to the other GMs and started revamping the team's defense.
Aging, immobile and expensive was substituted for young, speedy and affordable.
Expensive veteran contracts were either traded or allowed to walk so Marco could re-sign his blue chip Auston Matthews.
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